Welder Trainee Swing Shift
Arcata, CA - USA
Department:
Job Summary
The Wing Group is a global leader in engineered solutions for demanding environments bringing together a portfolio of trusted brands including Wing Inflatables Mustang Survival Henshaw Inflatables Patten Company and FabTek Industries. Across defense marine safety law enforcement and industrial sectors we design and manufacture mission-critical inflatable flotation and survival solutions that professionals trust to perform when it matters most.
From combat-ready rigid inflatable boats and inflatable structures to life-saving flotation devices and marine apparel our products are engineered and tested to exceed the highest standards of safety durability and performance. With U.S. and Canadian-based manufacturing and a collaborative hands-on culture The Wing Group delivers purpose-built solutions for the worlds toughest environments. Join us in advancing safety performance and innovationon the water and beyond.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
We are looking for Welding Trainees to support the manufacturing of inflatable rescue boats inflatable marine products and other technical and mission-critical products through Hot Air welding operations.
Successful candidates are dependable detail-oriented safety-focused and committed to producing high-quality work. Associates must be able to follow established work instructions product specifications and production procedures with precision while understanding the importance of quality traceability safety and compliance in a manufacturing environment.
The Welding Associate career path is structured into three progressive levels. Level I focuses on learning foundational welding skills material handling inspection and quality requirements. Level II focuses on independent production testing repair work and routine troubleshooting. Level III represents advanced technical proficiency complex troubleshooting training process improvement and production support.
Shift: Full-Time
Schedule:2:00pm-10:35pm Monday- Friday
WHAT WE OFFER
We offer a competitive salary depending on the experience level of the candidate. Additionally we offer extended health and dental benefits 401K with employer matching and industry perks. The final agreed upon salary may vary based on factors such as job-related knowledge skills and experience.
PROGRESSIVE LEVELS
WELDING TRAINEE Entry / Foundational Level
JOB PURPOSE
The Welding Trainee is an entry-level position responsible for learning and performing foundational welding operations used in the manufacturing of inflatable rescue boats inflatable marine products and other related products.
This position works under supervision while developing the technical skills required to safely operate welding equipment handle specialized materials inspect completed welds maintain accurate production records understand product specifications and meet applicable safety and quality will be creating the shell of our inflatables boats or sub assembly pieces that go inside or alongside our boats. To do this you will be referencing work instructions and drawings of our boats. You will be using industrial strength fabrics that are cut to specific shapes. and with our hot-air rotary welders you take the fabric and push it forward similar to sewing a bubble or bead of molten polyurethane is formed between the two layers of material just before they are rolled through compression wheels and fused together. A thermo-welded seam as opposed to a glued seam results in far tougher longer-lasting -welding fuses the over-lapped layers into one solid piececreating a seam that will not fail over time.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Learn the safe setup and operation of assignedwelding equipment.
Perform basicwelding operations under supervision or with limited guidance.
Weld components inflatable rescue boat components inflatable marine components and other assigned products according to approved work instructions and established methods.
Learn proper placement alignment handling and control of materials before and during welding.
Learn to work with coated fabrics technical textiles reinforcement materials inflatable materials and other specialized materials used in flotation and inflatable rescue products.
Follow approved machine settings tooling requirements work instructions specifications and production procedures.
Inspect completed welds for visible defects proper placement alignment seam integrity and workmanship.
Learn applicable inspection and testing requirements for welded flotation and inflatable products.
Identify and report defects material concerns equipment issues or quality problems to the Lead or Production Supervisor.
Maintain accurate production records including completed work material usage defects and other required information.
Learn proper handling tracking and control of raw materials used during production.
Use approved handheld tools for cutting materials or making minor adjustments as required.
Perform routine equipment cleaning and basic operator maintenance within the scope of training.
Maintain a clean organized and safe workstation.
Follow all applicable safety procedures and use required personal protective equipment.
Participate in required risk assessments safety meetings and safety activities.
Immediately report hazards injuries accidents or unsafe conditions.
Work cooperatively with Production Quality Control Production Planning Maintenance and other team members.
Demonstrate willingness to learn accept coaching and develop technicalwelding skills.
Perform additional production duties as assigned.
REQUIREMENTS / COMPETENCIES
High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
Basic manufacturing welding heat-sealing inflatable fabrication or similar equipment experience preferred but not required.
Ability and willingness to learn welding machinery and production processes.
Ability to learn materials and processes used in inflatable rescue boats and inflatable marine products.
Ability to read understand and follow work instructions specifications and production procedures.
Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality.
Ability to accurately complete required production documentation.
Ability to recognize and report visible defects or abnormalities.
Ability to perform repetitive production tasks accurately and efficiently.
Ability to adapt to changing production requirements.
Good verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
Ability to stand for extended periods and lift materials weighing up to 50 pounds.
An acceptable combination of education training and/or experience will be considered.
ORIENTATION PERIOD
A reasonable orientation period for a fully qualified candidate is three (3) months.
Month 1 Introduction and Basic Training
Introduction to company policies safety procedures PPE requirements production processes and quality expectations.
Introduction towelding equipment and safe machine operation.
Training on coated fabrics technical textiles inflatable materials reinforcement materials and other applicable product materials.
Training on basic RF welding operations used on inflatable rescue boats and related products.
Introduction to machine settings tooling work instructions production documentation inspection requirements and defect identification.
Begin supervised welding operations on basic components.
Month 2 Skill Development
Perform basicwelding operations with increased independence.
Develop consistency in material placement alignment weld quality machine operation and material handling.
Perform basic visual inspections and applicable product testing.
Increase understanding of raw material management and production documentation.
Learn routine equipment cleaning and basic operator maintenance.
Begin working on additional components or inflatable rescue boat operations based on demonstrated ability.
Month 3 Independent Work and Assessment
Perform assigned basic RF welding operations with reduced direct supervision.
Demonstrate consistent adherence to work instructions machine settings product specifications quality requirements and safety procedures.
Accurately complete required production records.
Demonstrate acceptable workmanship on flotation and inflatable product components.
Participate in feedback sessions with the RF Lead or Production Supervisor.
Demonstrate readiness for regular independent production work.
PROMOTION READINESS
An Trainee may be considered ready for advancement when they:
Consistently perform assignedwelding operations with minimal supervision.
Demonstrate acceptable weld quality seam integrity material placement and workmanship.
Follow machine settings tooling requirements work instructions and specifications accurately.
Properly inspect completed welds and identify common defects.
Demonstrate basic competency working on inflatable rescue boat components.
Maintain accurate production and material records.
Demonstrate safe equipment operation and proper material handling.
Perform routine cleaning and basic operator maintenance correctly.
Properly identify and communicate equipment material production and quality concerns.
Maintain strong safety attendance quality and productivity performance.
Demonstrate initiative in learning additional products welding operations tooling and equipment.
Qualifications
Wing Group is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race (including hair texture and protective hairstyles) color religion (including religious dress and grooming) creed sex gender gender identity gender expression sexual orientation pregnancy childbirth breastfeeding or related medical conditions reproductive health decision-making marital status national origin ancestry age (40 and over) physical or mental disability medical condition genetic information military or veteran status or any other basis protected by federal state or local law. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered in accordance with the California Fair Chance Act.
Wing Group provides reasonable accommodation to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities and for pregnancy-related conditions and religious beliefs or practices unless doing so would cause undue hardship. To request an accommodation during the application process or on the job contact People & Culture at or
Required Experience:
Intern