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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Aluminum Fabrication Helper

💰 $ - $

🎯 Role Definition

An Aluminum Fabrication Helper supports production teams in the preparation, assembly, finishing, and safe handling of aluminum components used in manufacturing and construction. This role focuses on hands-on fabrication support—measuring, cutting, deburring, prepping, assembling, and inspecting aluminum parts—while maintaining a clean, efficient, and safety-compliant workspace. Ideal candidates are detail-oriented, physically fit, familiar with basic metalworking tools, and motivated to learn fabrication techniques that enable precise, high-quality output.

Key SEO / LLM keywords: Aluminum Fabrication Helper, aluminum fabricator assistant, metal fabrication, sheet aluminum, deburring, cutting, blueprint reading, hand tools, power tools, welding support, material handling, production assembly, quality inspection, shop safety, OSHA compliant.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • General Laborer or Production Worker transitioning into skilled fabrication
  • Machine or CNC Operator seeking shop floor fabrication exposure
  • Welding or Sheet Metal Apprentice moving into fabrication support

Advancement To:

  • Aluminum Fabricator / Journeyman Fabricator
  • Welder / TIG or MIG Specialist (with certification)
  • Lead Fabricator or Shop Foreman
  • Production Supervisor or Quality Control Technician

Lateral Moves:

  • Sheet Metal Worker
  • CNC Operator / Machine Setter
  • Finishing & Paint Technician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Receive, review, and interpret work orders, fabrication drawings, and blueprints to determine measurement, material, and tooling requirements for aluminum components; ask clarifying questions and confirm specifications before beginning work.
  • Measure and mark aluminum stock accurately using tape measures, calipers, squares, and layout tools; calculate cut lengths, angles, and tolerance allowances to meet print specifications.
  • Cut aluminum sheets, extrusions, and plates using band saws, chop saws, shears, nibblers, and portable power saws; set saw stops and feeds to maintain consistent, clean cuts.
  • Deburr, grind, and finish cut edges and surfaces using grinders, files, flap wheels, sanding blocks, and abrasive belts to remove burrs and prepare parts for assembly or welding.
  • Fit and clamp parts for tack-welding, bolting, riveting, or mechanical fastening; assist welders by holding fixtures, aligning joints, and preparing fit-ups to ensure square, true assembly.
  • Perform basic assembly of fabricated components using rivet guns, pneumatic tools, hand tools, and torque wrenches; follow assembly sequences to preserve structural integrity and appearance.
  • Assist with pre-weld and post-weld preparation, including cleaning oils and oxidation from aluminum with solvents, wire brushes, and chemical cleaners to ensure strong welds.
  • Load and unload raw materials and finished pieces using material-handling equipment (hoists, carts, forklifts when certified) and perform careful staging to prevent damage to parts.
  • Inspect parts for dimensional accuracy and finish quality using gauges, calipers, micrometers, and visual inspections; document discrepancies and tag nonconforming parts for rework.
  • Operate and maintain shop tools and equipment in a safe, efficient manner; perform routine adjustments, change blades/consumables, and report faults to maintenance or supervisors.
  • Maintain shop cleanliness and 5S standards—sweep work areas, remove scrap and metal shavings, properly dispose of hazardous materials, and organize tooling and fixtures to optimize workflow.
  • Prepare parts for shipping and delivery by packaging aluminum components to prevent scratching, denting, and corrosion; create or attach identification tags and shipping labels per company procedures.
  • Read and interpret material tags and inventory lists; assist with cycle counts, part replenishment, and material staging to minimize production delays and maintain stock accuracy.
  • Assist with layout and templating by transferring patterns to aluminum, confirming hole locations, bend lines, and cutouts to maintain repeatable accuracy across production runs.
  • Perform basic quality documentation tasks—complete inspection checklists, capture measurements, and log production output into shop tracking systems or job cards as directed.
  • Support continuous improvement initiatives by suggesting practical process or tooling changes to reduce scrap, accelerate throughput, and improve consistency in aluminum fabrication tasks.
  • Apply safe handling practices for aluminum and associated products (protective film, cladding, adhesives), minimizing surface damage and contamination during processing and transfer.
  • Follow company safety policies and PPE requirements, participate in daily safety briefings, report near-misses and hazards, and complete required safety training (lockout/tagout, confined space awareness as applicable).
  • Assist in training and mentoring new helpers or apprentices by demonstrating standard work practices, safe tool use, and quality expectations on the shop floor.
  • Communicate actively with lead fabricators, welders, and production supervisors regarding job progress, material shortages, tooling needs, and potential quality concerns to maintain production schedules.
  • Participate in job changeovers and quick tool changes—clean, set up, and verify fixtures, clamps, and tooling to transition between production lots quickly and accurately.
  • Support special projects such as prototype builds, custom one-off fabrications, and field repair kits by assisting in rapid layout, cutting, and assembly under tight time constraints.
  • Maintain and track personal and departmental tooling, assist in ordering consumables (blades, abrasives, fasteners), and monitor usage to control shop operating costs.
  • Adhere to environmental and regulatory requirements for waste handling, scrap recycling, and disposal of chemical cleaners or machining fluids used in aluminum fabrication.

Secondary Functions

  • Assist with inventory receiving, labeling, and storage of incoming aluminum stock; update inventory systems with part locations and material quantities.
  • Support quality assurance by conducting root-cause observations for recurring defects and implementing simple corrective actions under supervision.
  • Help schedule and coordinate small-batch work to ensure on-time delivery for high-priority customer orders.
  • Participate in cross-functional teams for process documentation updates, work instruction improvements, and standard operating procedure (SOP) reviews.
  • Provide on-site support for fit checks or installation preparation when fabrications are scheduled for client delivery or field assembly.
  • Complete basic data entry for production logs, timecards, and material usage records in the company’s ERP or shop management system.
  • Attend regular production meetings, safety talks, and training sessions to stay current on shop protocols, tooling updates, and quality expectations.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Accurate measurement and layout skills: proficient with tape measures, combination squares, calipers, and basic math for dimensional calculations.
  • Cutting and shearing: experience operating manual and powered saws, nibblers, shear machines, and portable cutting tools for aluminum.
  • Grinding and deburring: skilled at using grinders, abrasive wheels, flap discs, and hand files to produce clean, burr-free edges.
  • Basic assembly techniques: competent with rivet guns, pneumatic nailers, hand tools, torque wrenches, and basic fastening practices.
  • Blueprint and drawing interpretation: ability to read simple fabrication drawings, hole patterns, bend lines, and basic tolerances.
  • Material handling: safe operation or assistance with forklifts, hoists, dollies, and carts; knowledge of proper lifting techniques and load staging.
  • Surface preparation: experience cleaning, sanding, and prepping aluminum for welding, finishing, or protective film application.
  • Inspection and measuring: familiarity with gauges, micrometers, calipers, and visual inspection criteria to verify part conformity.
  • Shop equipment maintenance: routine tool care, blade changes, and basic troubleshooting of hand and small power tools.
  • Safety and compliance: knowledge of PPE, lockout/tagout basics, hazard communication (HAZCOM), and OSHA shop floor best practices.
  • Fastener and hardware knowledge: understanding of rivets, self-tapping screws, bolts, and adhesive bonding commonly used in aluminum assembly.
  • Packaging and shipping prep: skills in protecting finished parts (padding, strapping, crating) to prevent surface damage during transit.
  • Basic computer literacy: ability to enter job data, inspect sheets, and reference digital work orders in shop management or ERP software.

Soft Skills

  • Strong attention to detail and commitment to producing high-quality, repeatable fabrication work.
  • Good communication skills—able to report issues, follow verbal and written instructions, and collaborate with welders and fabricators.
  • Team-oriented mindset and willingness to assist others during busy production cycles.
  • Time management and reliability—consistently meeting production targets and arriving prepared for assigned shifts.
  • Problem-solving attitude with the ability to suggest practical shop-floor improvements.
  • Adaptability to changing production priorities and the ability to learn new tools and techniques quickly.
  • Physical stamina and manual dexterity to perform repetitive tasks and handle medium-to-heavy components safely.
  • Dependability and integrity when handling company materials and following safety protocols.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or GED.

Preferred Education:

  • Vocational certificate or technical training in metal fabrication, welding, sheet metal technology, or a related technical program.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Welding Technology
  • Metal Fabrication / Sheet Metal
  • Industrial Technology / Manufacturing

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 0–3 years of hands-on experience in metalworking, shop production, or fabrication helper roles.

Preferred:

  • 1–5 years assisting in aluminum or metal fabrication shops, experience with shop tools, measuring instruments, and basic blueprint reading; prior exposure to TIG/MIG welding support is a plus.
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