Sewing Maching Operator Careers

Sewing Machine Operator Position in Lakewood, WA

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About the role

Eagle Leather runs an in-house sewing department that serves our retail customers and the broader Pacific Northwest riding community. We do alterations, repairs, and patch work on motorcycle gear. Leather, textile, and mesh, with heavy leather as a regular part of the daily rotation. We are hiring an experienced operator who can handle the full range of work motorcycle riders actually bring in.

What you'll do all day

• Sew patches onto vests, jackets, and other gear across leather, textile, and mesh
• Perform alterations: sleeve length, jacket waist, pant length, fit adjustments
• Repair seams, zippers, snaps, armor pockets, and damage on customer-owned gear
• Heavy leather work as a regular part of the rotation
• Price your own jobs based on materials, complexity, and time
• Manage your own queue and timeline commitments to customers

What we'll train you on

• Our intake process for customer-owned items and how we track jobs
• Pricing structure and how we calculate what to charge
• Eagle Leather's repair workflow and quality standards
• Customer interaction at the alterations counter

What you bring

• Industrial sewing machine experience
• Comfort working with heavy leather
• Understanding of garment construction and how repairs hold up under riding stress
• Attention to detail. Motorcycle gear has armor pockets, vents, multiple layers, and reinforcement points that need to be respected.
• Self-management. You will run your own queue and price your own work.
• Comfort estimating time and material costs for custom jobs
• Hand and finger dexterity for precision work

Helpful background (not required)

Candidates with experience in any of the following tend to ramp up faster:

• Tailoring or alterations
• Leather goods, saddlery, or harness work
• Upholstery
• Custom apparel or theatrical costume work
• Embroidery or patch application
• Industrial sewing in any production environment

Schedule

We are open 7 days a week, with Friday through Sunday being our peak sales days. Our peak season ramps up in March and ramps down in September. Sewing operators are scheduled with two weekdays off.

Physical: extended seated work at a sewing machine, with periodic standing and lifting up to 30 pounds. Hand and finger dexterity for precision work. Reasonable accommodations available where needed.

Pay and benefits

Compensation structure:

• Hourly base: $21 to $27 per hour, set on hire based on experience
• Self-pricing: You price your own jobs. We trust your judgment on what the work costs and how long it takes.

Benefits available after the probationary period:

• Paid time off, including holidays
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• Medical insurance
• Health Savings Account
• Dental, vision, life insurance, and Flexible Spending Account (available through our HR partner at group rates)
• Generous employee discount on the gear you actually want

How to apply

Apply by Email

Or call us at 253-581-3220 between 10am and 5pm PST.

We review applications within 48 hours and contact qualified candidates by phone for an initial conversation. Bringing samples or photos of prior work to the interview is encouraged.

Eagle Leather is an equal opportunity employer. We hire on the basis of fit, ability, and willingness to learn. Nothing else. Read our full equal opportunity statement.