Loom Technician Trainer

Develop the Next Generation of Technical Leaders

DNA Technical Fabrics is seeking an experienced, hands-on manufacturing professional to serve as a Loom Technician Trainer. This role is responsible for developing employees into highly skilled Loom Technicians who possess the technical expertise, troubleshooting capabilities, quality focus, and leadership skills necessary to support a world-class weaving operation.

The Weaving Department is one of the largest production areas within the facility and includes loom technicians, weavers, warp crew members, doffers, and trainees working across multiple shifts. The department places a strong emphasis on continuous production, operational expertise, and skill development.

This position is ideal for a seasoned textile manufacturing professional who enjoys teaching, mentoring, and helping others succeed. The successful candidate will build training programs, provide hands-on instruction, evaluate skill progression, and develop future technical leaders for the weaving organization.

Position Summary

The Loom Technician Trainer is responsible for creating and delivering structured training programs that transform entry-level and developing employees into proficient Loom Technicians. The trainer will combine classroom instruction, hands-on coaching, and practical troubleshooting exercises to ensure trainees develop the skills required to maintain high loom efficiency, minimize downtime, improve quality, and support safe manufacturing operations.

The trainer serves as both a technical expert and mentor, helping employees understand not only how to perform a task, but why the task is important to operational success.

Essential Responsibilities

Training and Employee Development

• Develop and maintain Loom Technician training curricula.
• Conduct classroom and hands-on training for new and existing employees.
• Create competency assessments and certification standards.
• Evaluate trainee progress and provide coaching and feedback.
• Develop training materials, work instructions, visual aids, and troubleshooting guides.
• Partner with supervisors to identify skill gaps and development opportunities.
• Cross-train employees to build workforce flexibility and succession planning.

Technical Instruction

Train employees to become proficient in:

Loom Operation and Setup

• Loom operation fundamentals
• Style changes and machine setup
• Warp and filling insertion systems
• Loom timing and machine adjustments
• Productivity and efficiency optimization
• Startup and shutdown procedures

Mechanical Troubleshooting

• Diagnosing loom stops and smash conditions
• Troubleshooting yarn breaks and machine faults
• Replacing mechanical components
• Understanding gears, bearings, chains, and drive systems
• Pneumatic systems operation and troubleshooting
• Preventive and corrective maintenance practices

Electrical and Control Systems

• Sensors and photoeyes
• Relay and control panel functions
• Basic electrical troubleshooting
• Reading wiring diagrams and technical manuals
• Safe work practices around energized equipment

Textile Process Training

Provide instruction on:

• Fabric construction principles
• Ends per inch (EPI)
• Picks per inch (PPI)
• Warp and filling yarn characteristics
• Fabric specifications
• Loom efficiency calculations
• Production performance metrics

Quality Systems Training

Train employees to identify and correct:

• Floats
• Mis-picks
• Broken ends
• Missing filling
• Reed marks
• Barré conditions
• Shading issues
• Other weaving defects

Teach trainees to:

• Perform quality inspections
• Understand customer specifications
• Implement corrective actions quickly
• Reduce waste and rework

Problem-Solving and Continuous Improvement

Develop employees capable of:

• Analyzing recurring loom stops
• Conducting root-cause investigations
• Identifying trends in yarn performance
• Improving Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)
• Reducing defects and waste
• Driving continuous improvement initiatives

Safety Leadership

Promote a strong safety culture by training employees on:

• Lockout/Tagout (LOTO)
• Machine guarding
• Safe work practices
• PPE requirements
• Housekeeping standards
• Incident prevention and risk awareness

Leadership Development

A successful Loom Technician must eventually become a leader within the department. The trainer will coach employees on:

• Communication skills
• Teamwork and accountability
• Training and mentoring others
• Professional conduct
• Decision-making
• Problem resolution
• Leading by example on safety and quality

Qualifications

Required

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Minimum 10 years of textile manufacturing experience.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in weaving operations, loom maintenance, or loom technician roles.
• Demonstrated experience troubleshooting weaving equipment.
• Strong understanding of textile manufacturing processes.
• Excellent communication and teaching skills.
• Ability to work effectively with employees at all organizational levels.

Preferred

• Associate degree or technical certification.
• Experience with air-jet, rapier, projectile, or shuttle looms.
• Prior experience developing training programs.
• Previous supervisory or leadership experience.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement initiatives.
• Bilingual English/Spanish skills.

Desired Competencies

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• Expert mechanical troubleshooting ability
• Deep textile and weaving knowledge
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Passion for developing people
• Quality-focused mindset
• Commitment to safety excellence
• Patience and coaching ability
• Strong communication skills
• Dependability under pressure
• Continuous improvement mindset

Why This Role Matters

At DNA Technical Fabrics, Loom Technicians are among the most critical technical resources in the manufacturing operation. They are often the first line of defense against downtime, quality defects, and production losses. The Weaving Department includes technicians and trainees and has a strong focus on developing operational expertise to support continuous production.

The Loom Technician Trainer plays a vital role in building the technical capabilities, leadership skills, and operational excellence required to maintain a high-performing weaving organization and ensure the long-term success of the business.

Join DNA Technical Fabrics and help develop the next generation of weaving experts, technical problem-solvers, and manufacturing leaders.

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person