Production Operator, Sewing

Davlyn Group is a fast-growing, privately owned technical textile company based in Spring City, PA, just outside of Philadelphia. Through our Amatex, Darco Southern, Davlyn Manufacturing, and Norfab businesses, our products and engineering services are used by thousands of customers in over 50 countries to help keep heat in its place, improve safety, and increase productivity. DGH is a leading manufacturer of technical textiles, fabrics, and yarns used in the appliance industry, industrial markets, and personal protective equipment (PPE).

About the role

The Production Operator, Sewing, will manufacture industrial-grade gaskets by joining, gathering, and reinforcing fiberglass textiles with precision using an industrial sewing machine. This role involves tending equipment, inspecting products for quality, performing preventive maintenance, and following Davlyn’s standard work methods and safe work habits to ensure efficient and safe production.

Responsibilities

• Monitor machine operation to detect problems such as defective stitching, breaks in thread, or machine malfunctions.
• Place spools of thread, cord, or other materials on spindles, insert bobbins, and thread ends through machine guides and components.
• Position items under needles using marks on machines, clams, templates, or cloth as guides.
• Guide work in process under machine needles and presser feet to sew parts together.
• Remove holding devices and finished items from machines.
• Match cloth pieces in correct sequences prior to sewing them.
• Fold or stretch edges or lengths of items while sewing to facilitate forming specified sections.
• Cut excess material or thread from finished products.
• Select supplies according to job requirements.
• Start and operate or tend machines to join or reinforce materials or components.
• Turn knobs, screws, and dials to adjust settings of machines according to specifications.
• Mount attachments, such as needles, cutting blades, or pattern plates, and adjust machine guides according to specifications.
• Cut materials according to specifications using blades, scissors, or electric knives.
• Tape or twist together thread or cord to repair breaks.
• Position and mark patterns on materials to prepare for sewing.
• Perform specialized or automatic sewing machine functions.
• Inspect components to locate defects or damage and label per quality requirements.
• Examine and measure finished components to verify conformance to standards using rulers.
• Perform equipment maintenance tasks, such as replacing needles, sanding rough areas of needles, or cleaning and oiling sewing machines.
• Troubleshoot equipment and minimize downtime.
• Track production utilizing appropriate visual management or documentation tools.
• Participate in team meetings and continuous improvement efforts.
• Maintain a clean and safe work area.
• Escalate safety, quality concerns, or machine malfunctions to the supervisor.
• Cross-train in other departments/areas when time permits or as instructed by supervisor.
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Previous production or manufacturing experience, a plus.
• Prior industrial sewing experience, preferred.

Schedule

This is an on-site, full-time, non-exempt position. Workdays are Monday through Thursday from 6:00 AM until 4:30 PM, with a 30-minute unpaid lunch. Departmental demands may necessitate additional work outside of standard work hours.

Physical Demands

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. independently.
• Ability to tolerate prolonged periods of walking, standing, pushing, pulling, or bending.
• Able to perform both gross and fine manipulation.

Work Environment

• The work facility may be hot and/or cold, based on the time of year.
• Many areas of the production floor have a very high noise level; hearing protection is required in these areas.
• Regular exposure to moving mechanical parts.
• Constant contact with fiberglass and fiberglass fibers.