Head Laminator / Shop Foreman

POSITION SUMMARY

Our client is seeking an experienced Head Laminator / Shop Foreman to lead a team of composite technicians while remaining hands-on with advanced lamination, fiberglass fabrication, and structural composite repairs for marine vessels and watercraft.

This position is responsible for maintaining high standards of structural integrity, workmanship, safety, and production efficiency. The ideal candidate has strong hands-on experience with wet layup, vacuum infusion, vacuum bagging, fiberglass, carbon fiber, and epoxy resin systems , along with the leadership skills necessary to train, manage, and hold a production team accountable.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Production & Team Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and train a team of laminators and composite technicians.
• Provide hands-on guidance and performance feedback to ensure quality workmanship.
• Plan and schedule daily shop activities to maximize workflow and meet production deadlines.
• Ensure tools, molds, equipment, and machinery are properly maintained and operational.
• Enforce shop safety procedures and maintain a clean, organized, and hazard-free work environment.
• Communicate with supervisors and service advisors regarding project status, staffing needs, and structural concerns.

Lamination & Composite Fabrication

• Perform wet layup and vacuum-assisted resin infusion (VARI) on marine hulls, decks, and structural components.
• Cut, fit, and laminate fiberglass, woven roving, biaxial fabrics, carbon fiber, and other composite materials.
• Apply polyester, vinylester, and epoxy resin systems according to specifications.
• Perform core bonding using balsa, foam, and honeycomb materials.
• Build structural laminates according to engineering drawings, laminate schedules, and manufacturer specifications.

Fiberglass Repair & Restoration

• Inspect and repair fiberglass damage, including cracks, chips, blistering, and delamination.
• Perform structural repairs including hull reinforcement, stringer repairs, transom replacements, and core repairs.
• Identify and correct lamination defects such as voids, dry spots, and print-through.
• Apply gelcoat and perform color matching and blending to restore finished surfaces.

Surface Preparation & Finishing

• Prepare surfaces through grinding, sanding, fairing, and solvent cleaning to ensure proper adhesion.
• Apply marine-grade fairing compounds to achieve smooth, properly finished surfaces.
• Perform wet sanding, buffing, polishing, and waxing to restore vessels to a high-quality finished appearance.

Quality, Safety & Documentation

• Conduct quality inspections throughout the repair and fabrication process.
• Inspect raw materials and completed work to ensure adherence to company and industry standards.
• Maintain accurate records of laminate schedules, material usage, labor hours, and work orders.
• Monitor inventory of fiberglass materials, resins, core materials, and other consumables.
• Proactively communicate material and supply needs.
• Follow all safety procedures, including proper PPE usage and OSHA and environmental requirements related to composite materials and chemical handling.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• 4–5+ years of hands-on lamination or fiberglass fabrication experience , preferably within a marine, aerospace, or industrial composites environment.
• Previous experience in a lead, foreman, or supervisory capacity .
• Proven ability to lead, train, motivate, and manage a production team.
• Strong experience with wet layup and resin application.
• Hands-on expertise with vacuum bagging and resin infusion (VARI).
• Experience with core bonding and sandwich composite construction.
• Strong understanding of epoxy resin systems and carbon fiber materials.
• Ability to read and interpret laminate schedules, engineering drawings, blueprints, and technical specifications.
• Strong knowledge of fiberglass materials, curing processes, and composite repair techniques.
• Excellent troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality workmanship.
• Ability to work independently while effectively leading a team in a fast-paced production environment.
• Knowledge of safety procedures and best practices for composite and chemical handling.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Technical certification in composites, fiberglass repair, or marine fabrication.
• Experience with mold preparation, maintenance, and repair.
• Gelcoat application and color-matching experience.
• Experience working with additional composite materials such as Kevlar.
• Previous marine industry experience, including boatbuilding, yacht repair, or marine service.
• Familiarity with ABYC standards and marine construction practices.

BENEFITS

• Health, dental, vision, and life insurance
• Employee discount
• Paid time off (PTO)
• 401(k) plan

POSITION TYPE

Full-Time | Supervisory | Variable Schedule

This is a full-time supervisory position with variable hours, including weekends and overtime as needed during peak production periods.