Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Aluminum Door Technician

🎯 Role Definition

An Aluminum Door Technician installs, repairs, maintains and fabricates aluminum doors, storefronts, curtain walls and commercial openings. This hands-on role combines field installation, on-site troubleshooting, glazing, hardware installation and occasional shop work. The technician ensures doors operate reliably, meet building and fire codes (ADA, IBC, NFPA), and are weather-tight and secure. Ideal candidates demonstrate strong measuring and fabrication skills, experience with commercial aluminum systems, and the ability to manage service calls and construction schedules.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Glazier / Glazing Apprentice
Door Installer Helper or Laborer
Metal Fabrication / Shop Apprentice

Advancement To:

Lead Aluminum Door Technician or Lead Installer
Field Supervisor / Site Foreman
Project Manager or Service Manager
Estimator / Sales for storefront and glazing systems

Lateral Moves:

Window & Curtain Wall Technician
Commercial Hardware Specialist
Access Control / Low-Voltage Technician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Accurately measure openings, existing frames and site conditions, create templates and verify dimensions against shop drawings prior to fabrication and installation of aluminum doors and storefront systems.
Read, interpret and implement shop drawings and architectural specifications for aluminum storefronts, curtain walls and commercial entrances to ensure installations meet design and code requirements.
Fabricate, cut, miter and assemble aluminum pivots, frames, sills, muntins and transoms in the shop and on-site using hand and power tools to achieve tight, plumb, square installations.
Install aluminum storefront systems, commercial doors, metal frames, thresholds and sidelites using anchors, expansion bolts, shims and grout techniques to secure assemblies to substrate.
Install, adjust and troubleshoot door hardware including cylindrical locks, exit devices/panic bars, closers, hinges, pivots, electric strikes, mag locks and automatic door operators to manufacturer tolerances.
Perform glazing operations: set insulating glass units (IGUs), glass panels and glazing gaskets; apply setting blocks, backer rod and structural silicone or sealant to weatherproof storefronts.
Apply and tool sealants, caulking and flashing materials (silicone, polyurethane, butyl and EPDM gaskets) to create continuous weather seals and prevent water infiltration at perimeter joints.
Align, shim and adjust doors for smooth operation and proper thresholds, checking reveal, clearance, swing and latching as required by manufacturer specifications and ADA guidelines.
Diagnose and repair operational failures: replace worn hinges/pivots, re-rivet frames, repair thermal breaks, replace seals and weatherstripping, and perform hardware rebuilds or replacements.
Perform emergency service calls for stuck, damaged or inoperable doors, expedited parts installation and temporary security measures to protect building occupants and property.
Install and wire basic low-voltage components for electric strikes, mag locks, automatic door operators and card access components in coordination with low-voltage technicians when required.
Conduct field mock-ups and pre-install checks, coordinate with general contractors, glazing subcontractors and site supervisors to confirm installation sequences and material staging.
Install fire-rated doors and frames following NFPA and manufacturer instructions, perform latching and closer adjustments, and prepare documentation for fire inspection and certification.
Replace damaged aluminum framing, sills and extrusion sections via splice repairs, rivet/fastener replacement or full frame replacement to restore alignment and performance.
Maintain service vans and on-site inventory, order parts and materials, manage vendor relationships and verify deliveries against purchase orders to minimize job delays.
Create and complete service reports, daily logs, punch lists and warranty documentation; accurately record time, materials and work performed for billing and quality control.
Operate aerial lifts, scaffolds and ladders safely while installing high storefronts and curtain walls, implement fall protection, and follow OSHA and company safety protocols.
Mentor and train apprentices and junior technicians in fabrication techniques, safe rigging, glazing practices and hardware installation to build team capability.
Conduct quality control inspections after installation to verify seals, weathertightness, housekeeping, hardware functionality and compliance with project specifications.
Participate in pre-construction site walks and materials take-offs to provide input on constructability, sequence and potential site challenges for successful installation planning.
Coordinate with glazing suppliers to schedule IGU deliveries, verify glass sizes and blocking, and handle fragile materials with proper rigging and suction handling equipment.
Maintain tool calibration and perform routine maintenance on hand and power tools, saws, presses and punching equipment to ensure shop-level accuracy and safety.
Implement preventative maintenance programs for client accounts, scheduling periodic inspections and service to extend product life and reduce emergency repairs.

Secondary Functions

Assist estimating and project coordination teams by providing field measurements, labor hour estimates and material recommendations for bids and change orders.
Support warehouse and inventory control by tagging returned parts, reporting defective materials and maintaining reorder thresholds for common hardware and sealants.
Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives by documenting recurring failure modes and recommending product or installation changes to reduce callbacks.
Participate in safety training, toolbox talks and incident investigations to continually improve on-site safety culture and reduce accidents.
Help maintain company documentation — safety certifications, equipment inspections, training records and supplier warranties — for audits and client requests.
Occasionally perform light shop fabrication work including sawing, punching and rivet placement when on-site scheduling requires flexibility.
Assist project managers with scheduling, communicating arrival times to clients and coordinating multi-trade site access to keep projects on track.
Support sales and customer service teams by attending client meetings, explaining field constraints and providing technical input for upgrades and service agreements.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Commercial aluminum storefront and door system installation (expertise with storefront framing and entrances)
Fabrication of aluminum extrusions, precise cutting, mitering, drilling and rivet/fastener installation
Commercial door hardware installation and adjustment (locks, exit devices, closers, pivots, thresholds)
Glazing skills: setting IGUs, glazing gaskets, structural silicone and weather sealing best practices
Reading and interpreting shop drawings, architectural plans and specifications
Field measuring and templating for custom doors, sidelites and transoms
Sealant and flashing application (silicone, polyurethane, butyl, EPDM) and leak remediation
Knowledge of code compliance: ADA, IBC, NFPA fire-rating requirements and egress hardware standards
Troubleshooting mechanical and electromechanical door systems, including electric strikes and automatic operators
Safe operation of lifts, scaffolds, ladders and rigging for high-elevation storefront work
Use of fabrication and installation tools: miter saws, portable presses, torque wrenches, rivet guns, grinders and suction lifters
Basic low-voltage wiring for door hardware and coordination with access-control technicians
Metal repair techniques: splice repairs, riveting, brazing/welding basics (preferred) and thermal break handling
Preventive maintenance and service documentation, service reporting and warranty processing

(Include at least 10 of the above as core technical keywords for recruiting and SEO: aluminum storefront installation, glazing, door hardware, shop drawings, ADA compliance, IGU replacement, sealant application, automatic door operators, riveting, lift operation.)

Soft Skills

Strong attention to detail and commitment to high-quality workmanship
Excellent troubleshooting and analytical problem-solving skills in the field
Clear verbal and written communication with clients, contractors and team members
Customer-service orientation and professionalism when working in occupied buildings
Time management, ability to prioritize service calls and multi-site assignments
Teamwork, mentoring aptitude and willingness to train junior staff
Reliability, punctuality and accountability for company property and tools
Adaptability to changing site conditions and schedule pressures
Organizational skills for parts inventory, paperwork and reporting
Safety-first mindset with the ability to enforce and follow company safety protocols

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:
High School Diploma or GED; demonstrated hands-on experience in door installation, glazing or metal fabrication.

Preferred Education:
Technical certificate or trade school coursework in metal fabrication, glazing technology, construction trades or architectural technology.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Carpentry, Construction Technology
Welding & Metal Fabrication
Architectural Technology or Drafting
Glazing Technology and Fenestration

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:
2–5 years of direct experience installing and servicing commercial aluminum doors and storefronts; experience may include on-site fieldwork and shop fabrication.

Preferred:
3–7+ years with demonstrated expertise in storefront systems, fire-rated doors, and complex hardware installations; prior experience with automatic door operators, access control components, and supervisory or lead responsibilities preferred.