Upholstery Technician Crew Chief

Elliott Aviation•Rock Island, IL

27d•$30 - $45

About The Position

Step into a leadership role where craftsmanship, creativity, and precision come together. As an aircraft Upholstery Technician Crew Chief, you'll guide a talented team in transforming aircraft interiors through expert upholstery work; restoring, repairing, and crafting seats and soft goods that elevate the passenger experience. From custom stitching to flawless finish work, you'll oversee every detail to ensure top‑tier quality and compliance. If you have a passion for hands‑on craftsmanship and take pride in delivering exceptional interior results, this role offers the perfect opportunity to lead, innovate, and make your work fly.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED
5+ years of experience in aircraft upholstery, interior refurbishment, or related craftsmanship in an MRO or aviation maintenance setting
Demonstrated leadership experience guiding technicians or acting as a lead/crew chief
Strong technical skills in pattern making, cutting, stitching, sewing, foam shaping, and upholstery fitting
Ability to read and interpret technical manuals, engineering drawings, work instructions, and service bulletins
Deep understanding of aircraft upholstery materials, such as leather, vinyl, fire-blocked foam, and specialty fabrics
Excellent attention to detail with a commitment to producing high‑quality, precision workmanship
Strong communication skills with the ability to coordinate with customers, inspectors, planners, and engineering teams
Working knowledge of FAA regulations related to aircraft interiors and cabin safety
Ability to routinely lift up to 50 lbs., work in confined spaces and in noisy environments
Ability to occasionally travel for work assignments
Ability to maintain a tool inventory in alignment with shop requirements
Ability to obtain and retain an airport AOA badge
Ability to work overtime and various shifts as business needs require

Responsibilities

Lead a team of upholstery technicians in the repair, refurbishment, and installation of aircraft seats, panels, cushions, curtains, and other soft‑good components.
Oversee daily workflow, ensuring upholstery projects stay on schedule and meet MRO turnaround time (TAT) requirements.
Perform and direct tasks such as patterning, cutting, sewing, foam fabrication, re-covering, and fitting upholstery materials to OEM and customer specifications.
Inspect completed upholstery work for precision, durability, aesthetics, and FAA compliance, ensuring top-tier quality standards.
Collaborate with Planning, Engineering, Materials, and Quality teams to secure parts, technical data, and resources needed to support production demands.
Interpret engineering drawings, seat manuals, work orders, and service bulletins to guide the team in executing correct upholstery methods and configurations.
Troubleshoot upholstery and interior component issues, providing hands‑on expertise to resolve discrepancies quickly and efficiently.
Track project progress, identify obstacles, and adjust staffing, workflow, or priorities to ensure timely completion and customer satisfaction.
Train, mentor, and coach technicians to elevate craftsmanship, improve efficiency, and reinforce a strong safety and quality culture.
Support continuous improvement initiatives within the upholstery shop, enhancing processes, tools, and techniques to improve performance and reduce rework.