Assistant Manager of Mechanics - Sewing and Soft Construction

Join The New School

At The New School, we redefine the boundaries of education, creativity, and innovation. Founded in 1919 and located in the heart of New York City, we are home to over 9,000 students from over 100 countries, offering more than 135 degree and diploma programs across our renowned colleges, including Parsons School of Design, The New School for Social Research, Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts, Parsons Paris, and the College of Performing Arts. Our progressive, interdisciplinary approach has earned us recognition as one of the most forward-thinking institutions in the world.

POSITION/ROLE OVERVIEW

The Parsons School of Design, a division of The New School, invites applications for the position of Assistant Manager of Mechanics, Sewing & Soft Construction within the Making Center. The Parsons Making Center encompasses over 70,000 square feet of laboratories, shops, and studios that foster experimentation and interdisciplinary collaboration. This role is responsible for the operational management of the Sewing facilities and equipment, ensuring a safe, healthy environment for undergrad, graduate, and continuing education students and faculty while overseeing essential administrative duties. We seek a personable, proactive, and detail-oriented professional to support a wide range of processes in sewing and soft construction, with a core focus on repair and maintenance of machinery. 

This is an exempt administrative position reporting to the Facilities Manager of Sewing and Soft Construction, Making Center, based in a fast-paced environment that operates year-round. The hire is for a 3-year fixed term subject to end unless otherwise approved for renewal.

 

CORE CAPABILITIES, PRIMARY DUTIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintain a clean and safe working environment and uphold a respectful shop culture for students, faculty, and staff.

• Lead the process to troubleshoot, repair, maintain, install, and ensure continuous operation and support for a variety of industrial and domestic sewing equipment.

• Lead the efforts and train other staff on routine maintenance of equipment, in addition to developing Standard Operating Procedures and preventative maintenance schedules.

• Assist supervisor and Making Center Leadership with the following:

  • Assist faculty and students.

  • Lead demo sessions about various pieces of equipment.

  • Make hardware/software purchase and process recommendations.

  • Create web page content.

  • Create and conduct orientations, trainings, and tours.

  • Participate in the onboarding process for new technician staff through peer-to-peer trainings and skills sharing.

  • Maintain administrative systems for scheduling, record-keeping, inventories, and metrics tracking.

  • Provide support for store and tool checkout functions as related to assigned areas

• Oversee daily workings of the Making Center facilities as assigned.

• Supervise student workers, including training, tracking accountability, and assigning tasks during shifts.

• Oversee tool and equipment checkout for both in-shop/lab use and off-site special requests.

• Create clear, accurate, user-friendly technical documentation, signage, and instructions for labs and equipment.

• Assist with facility improvement projects and special Making Center, program, school or Parsons-wide initiatives as needed.

• Adapt to changes in the work environment; adjust approach and prioritize competing demands as necessary.

• Provide a high level of customer service, maintaining a positive and professional demeanor and attitude in all interactions with students, faculty, and staff. 

• Cultivate a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming learning environment with productive and positive workplace relationships.

• Stay current with relevant technology and developments within the field.

• Attend regularly scheduled Making Center staff meetings and perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• A Bachelor’s Degree and/or 3 years of relevant or professional experience within the industry.

• Flexible schedule - ability to work non-traditional schedules that may include nights and weekends, in addition to scheduling shifts with semester changes.

• Completion of university required staff trainings and necessary COF's for all Making Center Facilities within the first 6 months of employment.

• Become proficient in WebCheckout or current equipment management system within the first 6 months of employment.

• Knowledge of industrial sewing and soft construction techniques, finishing, and troubleshooting for traditional garment and accessory construction, as well as experimental projects.

• Technical knowledge of a variety of industrial sewing techniques and machinery, as well as experience with repair and maintenance of equipment

• Expertise in threading, safe operation, and routine maintenance of sewing machines.

• Ability to identify machine issues, troubleshoot, and conduct repairs to keep 400+ machines in working order. 

• Facilitate repairs with external vendors as needed, including procurement and contract management. 

• Understanding of working in a cross-platform (Windows and macOS) environment.

• Familiarity with Adobe Creative Cloud and Google Suite.

• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills, close attention to detail, and strong organizational and time management abilities.

• Strong ability to assist students working in an interdisciplinary and/or experimental manner from concept to fabrication.

• A desire to learn new skills and processes related to Parsons Making Center initiatives.

• Ability to handle objects weighing up to 25 lbs and on occasion may be expected to lift objects weighing up to 50 lbs 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Trained sewing mechanic.

• Expansive technical experience servicing specialized industrial sewing machinery such as lockstitch, overlock, coverstitch, flatlock, post, walking foot, blind hem, chainstitch, embroidery, sonobond, and skiver machines.

• Experience with shoe-making processes, leatherwork, and fiber art practices.

• Experience with building and hand tools to maintain all studio equipment and furniture. 

• Knowledge of Webcheckout or comparable equipment management systems. 

• Experience with large-scale hardware and software deployments.

• Experience with Juki, Consew, Brother, and Singer sewing machinery.

WORK MODE

This position is primarily in-person and is based on campus to support effective in-person collaboration and engagement. #LI-ONSITE

SALARY RANGE

$66,300 - $69,000 per year

WHY JOIN US?

This is an extraordinary opportunity to work closely with a visionary leader and contribute meaningfully to a forward-thinking institution that’s reshaping the future of higher education. You’ll be at the nexus of strategy, operations, and innovation in a role that grows with your impact.

BENEFITS AT THE NEW SCHOOL

The New School is committed to supporting the well-being and success of our faculty and staff. We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their eligible dependents. Highlights include:

Health & Wellness

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Financial Wellness 

• Retirement plan administered by TIAA

• Qualified Transportation Expense Plan

Work-Life Balance

• Paid vacation and sick leave, with accruals starting on your first day

• Paid holidays and floating holidays

• Workmode & Telework Policy (if applicable)

Professional Growth

• Career advancement and professional development opportunities

• Access to university programs, lectures, and events featuring world-renowned speakers and organizations

• Tuition waiver benefit for eligible employees and dependents

Additional Perks

• Employee discounts with local vendors and service providers

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, creed, religion or belief, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, marital or domestic partnership status, sexual orientation, sex, gender identity or expression, age, disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. The New School recognizes and values the benefits of a diverse workforce.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS 

Interview finalists will be asked to come in for an in-person interview in which their technical skills will be assessed.