What are the responsibilities and job description for the Sewing Technician position at Tectonics?
Tectonics is based in Auburn Hills, MI, and operates production facilities in Auburn Hills and Las Vegas. We have three business units that all exemplify excellence in digital print technology: print-on-demand (B2B); exhibit and retail (B2B); direct to consumer (DTC).
Print-on-demand: our partners sell DTC across a variety of personalized apparel, home décor and packaging websites. We perform the entire operations value chain from order ingestion to consumer fulfillment for print-cut-sew and other products. We specialize in mass personalization of manufacture-to-fulfillment products – with zero inventory – and also provide product development & fashion design capabilities in-house.
Exhibit and retail: we design and manufacture visual communication experiences for tradeshows, brick-and-mortar stores and a variety of other venues requiring visual signage, graphics and display structures. We employ digital manufacturing methods across aluminum extrusion profiles; tubing; dye sublimation; and 3D printed parts. Products are typically custom designs, along with a family of parametric structures.
Direct to consumer: we operate our own DTC eCommerce brands and online storefronts. our production model is low- to no-inventory and is manufacture-to-fulfillment. Products span a variety of consumer and home décor categories. Additional stealth home décor brand scheduled to launch in FY21.
We are a fast-growing, high-technology and innovative company that is entrepreneurial in nature. We are looking for motivated, hard-working, and reliable individuals who are eager to learn and create quality products for our customers.
- Uses measuring devices and mathematical formulas to determine best use of materials needed for job.
- Prepares machine by changing needles and thread, oiling and changing bobbin, and securing attachments.
- Sews materials together by using industrial sewing machines.
- Follows written job work orders to determine means of finishing product.
- Completes various finishing of graphic products, including pillowcase, metal frames, zippers.
- In addition to sewing, clean/fit and Velcro frames
- Completes work according to customer requirements for accuracy and in time allotted for job.
- Measure existing frames for patterning purposes and ability to adjust fabric once fit on frame.
- Read and verify pattern accuracy.
- Offers solutions to sewing problems at hand and long-term improvements in sewing procedures.
- Train new team members.
- Performs preventive maintenance on sewing equipment.
- Utilize computerized order entry system to log jobs in and out of department, or to track job orders.
- Perform general housekeeping and inventory functions within the department.
- Conduct lessons learned for projects where we can identify areas of improvement.
- Ability to live pattern
- Must be able to sew a variety of materials including vinyl and stretch fabric.
- Strong background using sergers, sewing vinyl and stretch fabric, installing zippers and sewing pillowcase applications.
- Must have experience sewing Velcro and SEG
- Must be proficient with installing zippers and creating pillowcases.
- Must be proficient in math, able to use measuring devices, able to understand dimensions and proportions.
- Must be able to detect minor physical defects.
- Ability to multi-task various projects with high level of detail
- Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
- Must be an effective communicator
- Eager to learn, take initiative, and leadership skills with a mindset of ownership
- Must be a team player, with a positive attitude and strong time management skills
- Willingness in training and constructive criticism
- Frequent use of climbing (ladders and tables) while holding fabric
- Must be able to read and understand all job orders.
- Pass sewing test
- Pass pre-employment drug test
- High school diploma required.
- Minimum 2 years’ experience with industrial sewing, prefer experience in exhibit/display environment.
- Background in costume design, upholstering, or fashion design, preferred.
- Experience with sewing for 3d displays and/or metal frames, preferred.
- Requires standing, walking or bending for entire shift.
- Ability to frequently lift/move up to 50 pounds.
- Must be able to work extended hours with little advance notice to meet project deadlines.
- Must be capable of completing tasks in a fast-paced environment.
- Manufacturing environment: may be exposed to fumes, airborne particles, dust or dirt.
