Finisher Trainee-Inflatable Boat Builder

Wing Group•Arcata, CA

12h•$19 - $19•Onsite

About The Position

The Finisher Trainee supports the manufacturing of inflatable rescue boats, inflatable marine products, and other technical products. The position builds rafts and sponsons to customer specifications using engineering drawings and blueprints, and works to meet quality standards and customer ship dates. Tasks include bonding materials, positioning accessories, applying coatings and custom logos, and completing finishing work. The role reports to the Production Supervisor and receives daily guidance, instructions, training, and feedback from production supervisors. Training progresses over the first three months, from safety, materials, equipment, and supervised basic operations to increasingly independent production work. The trainee learns to follow work instructions and specifications, inspect work, identify defects, document production accurately, operate equipment safely, and maintain product quality. More advanced finishers may assist with training or travel for offsite installations or repairs. The role is performed in a safety-conscious manufacturing environment. It involves frequent standing, walking, hand use, bending, kneeling, crouching, crawling, and working in tight spaces. Employees may occasionally lift or move items up to 90 pounds and are regularly exposed to airborne particles and fumes, including toxic or caustic chemicals. A half-mask respirator is required when working with wet chemicals. The position requires use of PPE and compliance with safety procedures.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent, or a combination of relevant work and school.
Ability and willingness to learn welding machinery and production processes.
Ability to learn materials and processes used in inflatable rescue boats and marine products.
Ability to read, understand, and follow work instructions, specifications, and production procedures.
Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality.
Ability to complete required production documentation accurately.
Ability to recognize and report visible defects or abnormalities.
Ability to perform repetitive production tasks accurately and efficiently and adapt to changing production requirements.
Good verbal and written communication skills and ability to work effectively as part of a team.
Ability to stand for extended periods and lift materials weighing up to 50 pounds.
Demonstrated ability to use rollers, heat guns, and other powered or manual hand tools.
Professional work ethic; deadline-driven and quality-conscious.
Punctual and regular attendance; willingness to work overtime and schedule time off in advance whenever possible.
Must be 18 years or older.
Ability to bend and maneuver in tight spaces and crawl, kneel, and stoop on a daily basis.
Ability to meet the described physical and vision requirements, including close and color vision, depth perception, and adjusting focus.
Ability to wear a half-mask respirator when working with wet chemicals.
Ability to use PPE and follow safety procedures.
Effective, professional communication and respectful working relationships; ability to share knowledge, manage priorities, follow through on assignments, learn new methods, and respond constructively to challenges.

Nice To Haves

Basic manufacturing, welding, heat-sealing, inflatable fabrication, or similar equipment experience.

Responsibilities

Mix and apply glue and adhesive to materials by brushing or rolling.
Bond materials manually to form air-holding or foam-air sponsons, using hand rollers or modified paint scrapers and a hot air gun to activate glue.
Trim fabric with heavy-duty scissors and assemble pre-glued materials onto sponson surfaces.
Perform baffle tests on sponsons and splice lifelines to sponsons or hybrids.
Understand and apply processes for bonding attachments, accessories, and chafe, and for lifeline installation.
Build rafts and sponsons to customer specifications using engineering drawings and blueprints.
Monitor build quality using general quality-control checklists; inspect completed work and identify common defects.
Maintain accurate production and material records and complete required production documentation.
Clean finished products and assist with packaging.
Operate equipment safely, handle materials properly, and perform routine cleaning and basic equipment maintenance.
Identify and communicate equipment, material, production, and quality concerns.
Complete required safety checks and use PPE.
Learn additional products, operations, tooling, and equipment as capability develops.
Maintain safety, attendance, quality, and productivity performance.
Participate in training and feedback sessions with the Lead or Production Supervisor.
Advanced finishers may train others or travel for offsite installations or repair work.