Aviation Upholstery Interiors — with Automotive & Marine work

Callsign Enterprises is expanding its Aerospecial Interiors & Upholstery division and is hiring craftspeople and leaders who take pride in detail, finish, and execution. Our primary focus is the upholstery and interior refurbishment of aircraft.

High-end automotive and marine work are tertiary markets the shop services on a regular but secondary basis. If you live for clean stitching, perfect patterning, and finished products that look better than the OEM walked off the line — and you want to build a career around aircraft interiors — we want to talk to you. Three positions are open. All are W-2, full-time, with benefits.

POSITION 1: UPHOLSTERY SHOP MANAGER The accountable manager for the entire Upholstery Shop. Key-holder, oversight on every job, owner of quality control, the client-facing liaison — and still on the floor producing top-tier work alongside the team. Aircraft interiors are the focus of this role, with automotive, marine, and other soft-goods work managed alongside.

Core Responsibilities:

• Serve as the accountable manager and key-holder for the Upholstery Shop

• Provide oversight on all active jobs and final quality control sign-off

• Act as the primary client liaison: scoping, proposals, status updates, and delivery

• Mentor and direct lead technicians and general technicians

• Maintain shop standards, safety, 5S, materials inventory, and equipment readiness

• Work the floor at a high level: leather craft, sewing, patterning, and installation Required Skills & Experience

• Expert-level leather craft, sewing (walking foot & serger), patterning, and upholstery • Demonstrated leadership and shop-management experience

• Strong client communication — written and verbal

• Familiarity with aviation, automotive, or marine interior standards

Pay Tiers — Shop Manager Tier Pay Range Profile / Qualifications

Tier 1 — Entry $30.00 – $34.00 / hr 5+ yrs upholstery, some lead experience, no formal certifications

Tier 2 — Mid $34.00 – $40.00 / hr 8+ yrs craft experience, prior shop lead or manager role

Tier 3 — Senior $40.00 – $48.00+ / hr 10+ yrs, prior shop management, holds FAA A&P, IA, Repairman, or comparable industry certification

Certification pay add-ons (FAA A&P, I/A, Repairman, ASE, Marine, OEM training) stack on top of the tier rate — see Certification Pay Recognition below.

POSITION 2: LEAD UPHOLSTERY TECHNICIAN Primary owner of assigned projects, with one or two technicians working under your direction. The person the shop trusts to take a job from teardown to final install. Most assigned projects will be aircraft interiors; automotive, marine, and other soft-goods work make up the balance.

Core Responsibilities:

• Own assigned projects start-to-finish: scope, schedule, execution, hand-off

• Direct and mentor 1–2 assigned technicians on each project

• Pattern, cut, sew, and install leather, fabric, foam, and trim components

• Coordinate with shop management and inspection on FAA, 145 Repair Station, or OEM-equivalent documentation

• Sign off completed work and document squawks through the material tracking system Required Skills & Experience

• Proven leadership of small project teams

• Strong leather craft and proficiency on a walking-foot sewing machine and serger

• Patterning, removal, and installation skills for seats, side panels, headliners, and trim

• Comfortable reading drawings and following shop SOPs

Pay Tiers — Lead Technician Tier Pay Range Profile / Qualifications

Tier 1 — Entry $24.00 – $28.00 / hr 3+ yrs upholstery, first lead role, no certifications

Tier 2 — Mid $28.00 – $33.00 / hr 5+ yrs, prior lead experience, ASE, marine, or aviation airframe exposure

Tier 3 — Senior $33.00 – $38.00 / hr 7+ yrs, holds FAA A&P, Repairman, ASE Master, or equivalent industry certification

Certification pay add-ons (FAA A&P, I/A, Repairman, ASE, Marine, OEM training) stack on top of the tier rate — see Certification Pay Recognition below.

POSITION 3: GENERAL UPHOLSTERY TECHNICIAN / LABORER Hands-on craftsperson supporting all shop projects — primarily aircraft interior work, with automotive, marine, and other soft-goods projects in the mix. The role where solid skills become great ones.

Core Responsibilities:

• Execute leather craft, sewing, and upholstery tasks assigned by the lead

• Assist with removal, patterning, fabrication, and installation of interior components

• Maintain a clean, organized, safe workstation per shop 5S standards

• Follow SOPs and complete documentation as directed Required Skills & Experience • Working knowledge of leather craft and material handling • Proficiency with a sewing machine (walking foot preferred)

• Basic upholstery skills — measuring, cutting, fitting, fastening • High School Diploma or GED; willingness to learn

Pay Tiers — General Technician Tier Pay Range Profile / Qualifications

Tier 1 — Entry $16.00 – $20.00 / hr 0–2 yrs, trainable, demonstrable hand skills

Tier 2 — Mid $20.00 – $24.00 / hr 2–4 yrs upholstery, strong sewing and patterning fundamentals

Tier 3 — Senior $24.00 – $28.00 / hr 4+ yrs, holds an automotive (ASE), marine, or aviation certification

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS All three positions are W-2, full-time roles based in Calhoun and Dayton, Tennessee. Health, Dental & Vision Cigna medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees who elect to participate. Financial Planning Optional financial planning and retirement participation for employees who elect to participate.

Bonus & Overtime Bonus potential and paid overtime opportunities including AOG work. Training & Growth Ongoing training, certification support, and clear career progression across tiers.

CERTIFICATION PAY RECOGNITION Holding a recognized certification stacks a direct hourly pay add-on on top of your tier rate. Multiple certifications can stack where applicable.

Certification Pay Add-On FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) +$1.00 – $2.00 / hr

FAA Inspection Authorization (I/A) +$2.00 – $3.15 / hr

FAA Repairman Certificate +$0.50 – $1.75 / hr ASE Automotive Certification +$0.50 – $1.25 / hr

ASE Master Technician +$1.00 – $2.00 / hr

Marine Industry Certification (ABYC, NMEA, or equivalent) +$0.75 / hr

Documented OEM or Tier-1 supplier training in applicable field +$0.50 – $1.50 / hr

Add-ons apply to all three positions and stack on top of the tier pay rate.

ADDITIONAL PROJECT WORK Aircraft interiors are Callsign's primary work scope. Automotive and marine projects make up the shop's tertiary markets. Beyond those, employees may occasionally be required to contribute to projects that fall outside of all three core scopes — work the shop takes on to keep the team busy, skills sharp, and revenue diversified.

Be prepared to contribute on:

• High-end furniture soft goods and restoration
• Medical industry upholstery
• Commercial and industrial soft goods
• Canvas, covers, and protective coverings
• Other custom upholstery, leather, and soft-goods work as assigned All projects — regardless of industry — are held to the same standard of craftsmanship and finish.

TRAVEL WORK On occasion, the nature of a customer project may require work to be performed at an off-site location. Travel is expected to be at a very limited volume, but when it does occur, the company will implement daily pay rates and trip cost coverage — including travel, lodging, and per diem — to ensure every employee is paid and treated in an equitable manner while away from the shop. Specific travel pay terms will be communicated in advance of any assigned trip.

ELIGIBILITY Per ITAR regulations, applicants must be a U.S. Citizen, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). High School Diploma or GED required. Must be able to lift up to 40 lbs, climb ladders, and work in confined spaces. Must be able to commute to or relocate near Calhoun or Dayton, Tennessee.