Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Aluminum Cladding Fabricator

🎯 Role Definition

The Aluminum Cladding Fabricator is a skilled tradesperson responsible for accurately fabricating, assembling, finishing, and preparing aluminum cladding panels, architectural metal systems, and associated components for both shop and field installation. This role requires proficiency with sheet metal equipment (press brakes, shears, rollers, CNC), knowledge of aluminum composite materials (ACM), thermal break installation, sealants and gaskets, and the ability to read and interpret architectural drawings and shop drawings. The ideal candidate delivers high-quality, code-compliant cladding components on schedule while maintaining strict safety and quality standards.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Sheet Metal Apprentice / Trainee
Metal Fabricator or General Fabricator
Welder / TIG-MIG Fabricator

Advancement To:

Senior Aluminum Fabricator / Lead Fabricator
Shop Foreman / Production Supervisor
Estimator for Architectural Metal Systems
Project Manager — Façade & Cladding

Lateral Moves:

Curtain Wall Installer / Glazing Technician
Metal Finisher / Coating Specialist
Site Installation Supervisor (Façade)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Read, interpret and execute architectural drawings, project specifications, and detailed shop drawings to fabricate aluminum cladding panels, flashings, trims, and brackets to specified tolerances and finish requirements.
Lay out, mark, and cut aluminum sheet, plate, and composite panels using manual and CNC shears, lasers, plasma cutters, and other cutting equipment according to job-specific templates and nested CAD/CAM programs.
Operate press brakes, CNC bending machines, rollers, pan brakes, and folding equipment to form complex profiles, returns, miters and radii for curtain wall and cladding systems while maintaining dimensional accuracy.
Assemble cladding components, subframes, and support brackets using riveting (blind/pop rivets), structural adhesives, bolting, welding (MIG/TIG where required), and mechanical fasteners per engineered details.
Fabricate and install thermal break materials and gaskets, prepare splice plates and ensure thermal performance and moisture control compliance within the aluminum assemblies.
Measure, fit and check completed parts against templates and full-scale mock-ups and make necessary adjustments to meet alignment, plumb, and reveal tolerances prior to packaging for site delivery.
Trim, deburr, grind, sandblast, and finish edges and surfaces; apply protective films and packing materials to prevent damage during transport and installation.
Program, set up and maintain CNC and automated fabrication equipment; verify tool offsets, material nests and perform first-article inspections to reduce material waste and ensure repeatability.
Interpret and comply with finish specifications such as anodizing, powder coat, PVDF coatings, and pre-finish requirements; coordinate with finishing vendors or perform in-shop pre-finishing operations.
Conduct dimensional and visual quality inspections, document non-conformances, and implement corrective actions in coordination with quality control and project engineering teams.
Read and follow detailed cut lists, material schedules, and bill of materials to accurately track inventory usage and reduce overstock/waste on each project.
Prepare and package fabricated components for shipment and installation, including sequencing panels, labeling per erection drawings, and coordinating logistics with project managers and site teams.
Collaborate with estimators, detailers, and project managers during pre-fabrication to provide input on manufacturability, cost-saving suggestions, and lead-time estimates.
Perform field measurements and mock-ups as required; support site installation teams with technical guidance, templates, and on-site adjustments to ensure seamless field assembly.
Ensure proper handling and storage of aluminum materials to avoid warping, scratching and contamination; maintain tool calibration and perform routine preventive maintenance on shop equipment.
Adhere to company and regulatory safety standards, including fall protection, confined space, PPE, welding safety, and hoisting rigging practices while maintaining tidy workspaces and compliant material handling.
Train, mentor and supervise junior fabricators and apprentices; create clear work instructions, share best practices for efficient, safe aluminum cladding fabrication.
Coordinate with glazing, structural, and insulation trades to resolve interface issues between cladding, curtain wall, and supporting structures prior to fabrication and during installation.
Maintain accurate production records, fabrication logs, and timecards; contribute to continuous improvement initiatives by identifying bottlenecks and suggesting process improvements.
Troubleshoot complex on-site or shop-fit issues such as misalignments, thermal movement concerns, and water infiltration risks and propose practical, code-compliant solutions.
Apply sealants, tapes, and adhesive systems to joints and transitions following manufacturer instructions, ensuring watertight seals and long-term durability of the aluminum assembly.
Participate in pre-installation coordination meetings, provide fabrication lead times and sequence of installation, and adjust shop schedules to meet phased site access and erection timelines.
Verify that all fabricated assemblies comply with structural engineering loads, wind load requirements and local building code performance criteria for façade systems.
Maintain strong communication with project stakeholders, including subcontractors, consultants, and suppliers to expedite material orders, resolve drawing clarifications, and manage delivery windows.
Document and tag shop samples, mock-ups and quality control checklists for client approvals and sign-offs prior to production runs.

Secondary Functions

Assist with material procurement and vendor qualification for specialty aluminum extrusions, fasteners, gaskets and finish services.
Support scheduling and capacity planning by providing realistic fabrication lead-times and resource estimates to production managers.
Participate in continuous improvement teams to optimize cutting nests, reduce scrap, and improve assembly ergonomics and throughput.
Help maintain an up-to-date tooling inventory and request replacements or upgrades to tooling, dies and fixtures as needed.
Provide on-call support for urgent site adjustments, on-site templates and last-minute fabrication changes to minimize installation delays.
Contribute to the company safety program by reporting hazards, participating in toolbox talks and supporting incident investigations.
Assist project managers with punch-list resolution and warranty repairs related to fabricated aluminum components.
Participate in cross-training activities to cover peak workloads across bending, cutting, riveting and finishing stations.
Maintain digital and physical filing of shop drawings, change orders, and quality documentation for project audits and closeouts.
Collaborate with R&D and engineering to test new materials, sealants, and fastening methods for improved system performance.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proficient reading and interpretation of architectural drawings, shop drawings, fabrication details, and material schedules for aluminum cladding systems.
Advanced sheet metal fabrication skills including use of press brakes, pan brakes, rollers, shear, and bending machines to produce consistent, code-compliant profiles.
CNC operation and programming experience for laser/plasma cutting, turret punching and brake press programming (CAD/CAM nesting).
Experience with aluminum composite material (ACM) panels, insulated metal panels, and solid aluminum panel fabrication and joinery.
Competence in riveting methods (pop/structural rivets), mechanical fastening, bolting assemblies, and structural adhesive application.
Proficiency in MIG/TIG welding on aluminum where required, and familiarity with welding qualifications and weld preparation for aluminum alloys.
Skilled in precision measuring, layout, templating, and use of precision instruments (calipers, micrometers, levels, laser measures).
Knowledge of thermal break systems, gaskets, sealants (polyurethane, silicone), tapes and waterproofing methods for façade interfaces.
Ability to operate finishing equipment and perform pre-finish prep: deburring, sanding, grinding, and coordinating anodizing or powder coating processes.
Experience coordinating with glazing and curtain wall systems, understanding interface details and anchor/reference line alignment.
Familiarity with rigging, safe lifting practices, and handling fragile prefinished panels to avoid damage during transport and installation.
Competence in quality control procedures: first-article inspection, dimensional verification, and non-conformance reporting.
Basic computer literacy for reading PDFs, markups, using fabrication tracking systems, and communicating via email and project management tools.
Knowledge of local building codes, wind load criteria and façade performance testing protocols related to aluminum cladding systems.
Certified or trained in relevant safety courses (OSHA, WHMIS, Fall Protection, Confined Space) and shop safety best practices.

Soft Skills

Strong attention to detail with a dedication to producing high-quality, visually acceptable architectural finishes.
Effective communication skills to coordinate with engineers, project managers, site installers and suppliers.
Problem-solving mindset with ability to diagnose fit-up issues and propose practical fabrication or installation remedies.
Team orientation and mentoring capability to develop junior fabricators and maintain shop throughput.
Time management and organizational skills to manage multiple jobs, prioritize tasks and meet delivery schedules.
Adaptability and flexibility to respond to schedule changes, design revisions, and site-driven modifications.
Customer-focused attitude, ensuring components meet client expectations and contribute to overall project success.
Commitment to safety, compliance and consistent application of company quality standards.
Strong work ethic and dependability — punctuality, attendance and accountability for assigned tasks.
Continuous improvement mentality; open to feedback and process optimization to reduce waste and increase efficiency.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or equivalent (required).

Preferred Education:

Trade certificate or diploma in sheet metal fabrication, welding, or metalworking technology.
Journeyman certification in sheet metal or related trade preferred.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Sheet Metal Technology
Welding and Fabrication
Architectural Technology or Architectural Drafting
Mechanical Engineering Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 2–5 years of hands-on aluminum fabrication experience for mid-level roles; entry-level candidates with 0–2 years accepted under close supervision.

Preferred: 5+ years experience fabricating architectural aluminum cladding, curtain wall or ACM panels with proven ability to lead small teams, perform complex assemblies, and manage shop-to-site sequencing.

Demonstrated experience on commercial façade projects, jobsite coordination, and familiarity with mock-ups and client sign-off processes.
Prior experience working with CNC equipment, press brakes and finish vendors strongly preferred.
Certifications such as welding qualifications, rigging cards, and safety training (OSHA, Fall Protection) are desirable.