Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Fabricator

🎯 Role Definition

We are seeking an experienced Fabricator to accurately manufacture, assemble, and finish metal components and assemblies according to engineering drawings, customer specifications, and quality standards. The Fabricator will operate manual and CNC equipment, perform welding and fitting operations, ensure dimensional accuracy, and collaborate with engineering, quality, and production teams to deliver products on-time and to specification. This role emphasizes safety, continuous improvement, and hands-on craftsmanship in a fast-paced fabrication shop environment.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Apprentice Fabricator / Welding Apprentice
Sheet Metal Helper or Machine Operator
General Laborer in Manufacturing

Advancement To:

Senior Fabricator / Lead Fabricator
Welding Technician / Certified Welder
Fabrication Supervisor / Production Supervisor

Lateral Moves:

CNC Operator / Programmer
Quality Inspector / NDT Technician
Maintenance Technician / Industrial Mechanic

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Read, interpret, and verify engineering drawings, blueprints, material specifications, and bills of materials to plan and execute fabrication work accurately and efficiently.
Set up and operate metalworking equipment including press brakes, shears, rolling machines, metal brakes, punch presses, and manual forming equipment to produce parts to specified tolerances.
Operate cutting equipment such as plasma cutters, laser cutters, oxy-fuel torches, band saws, and abrasive saws to cut raw materials to required shapes and dimensions while minimizing scrap.
Perform MIG, TIG, and stick welding operations on carbon steel, stainless steel, and aluminum per welding procedure specifications (WPS) and AWS/industry standards to achieve structural integrity and weld quality.
Fit, tack, and assemble components using clamps, fixtures, and jigs; apply fixtures and tack-welds to maintain alignment during welding and final assembly.
Use handheld and stationary grinders, sanders, and deburring tools to remove weld spatter, grind weld profiles, and finish edges to meet surface-quality requirements.
Conduct dimensional inspection using calipers, micrometers, height gauges, protractors, and tape measures to verify parts are within tolerance and comply with GD&T and drawing callouts.
Program, set up, and operate CNC plasma or laser tables and CNC press brakes or shears (when required) following CAM/CNC files and machine setup procedures.
Lay out parts using straightedges, squares, surface plates, layout fluids, and marking tools to ensure accurate hole locations, cut lines, and bend lines prior to cutting or forming.
Select, stage, and prepare raw materials including plate, sheet, bar stock, tube, and structural shapes; confirm material certifications and traceability when required.
Read and apply geometric dimensioning & tolerancing (GD&T) callouts and tolerances to ensure correct fit, form, and function of assemblies in subassemblies and finished products.
Perform defect identification and repair such as blow-throughs, undercuts, porosity, and distortion; implement corrective welding and finishing methods to bring parts into compliance.
Assemble subcomponents and final assemblies using fasteners, rivets, adhesives, and welding; torque and verify fasteners to specification and complete pre-shipment assembly checks.
Follow and enforce shop safety policies, wear PPE, and participate in regular safety briefings; safely handle compressed gases, flammable materials, heavy loads, and hazardous waste.
Maintain accurate production and quality records, including work orders, welding logs, inspection reports, and material traceability documentation for internal and customer audits.
Collaborate with engineers, estimators, and production planners to identify manufacturability improvements, provide cost/time estimates, and suggest design changes that reduce complexity or cycle time.
Perform routine preventive maintenance and basic troubleshooting on fabrication equipment and tooling; report machine problems and coordinate with maintenance to minimize downtime.
Mentor and train junior fabricators, apprentices, and temporary staff on best practices for layout, welding, forming, and shop safety; help build a culture of continuous learning.
Participate in root-cause analysis and corrective action for recurring quality or process issues; implement Lean principles (5S, Kaizen) to optimize workflow and reduce waste.
Prepare parts and assemblies for finishing operations including blasting, painting, powder coat preparation, and final packaging; ensure surface cleanliness and proper masking.
Measure and manage inventory of consumables such as welding wire, gas, cutting tips, grinding discs, fasteners, and clamping supplies; communicate shortages early to procurement.
Schedule and coordinate multiple jobs by priority, lead times, and customer deadlines; balance efficiency with quality to meet production targets and delivery commitments.
Perform pressure testing, fit-up checks, and verification of assemblies that require hydraulic or pneumatic testing per procedure and safety protocols.
Ensure compliance with welding certifications and shop qualifications; maintain personal certifications (AWS, ASME, API) and support company audits and customer qualification processes.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc prototyping and one-off fabrication projects to validate new designs or produce sample assemblies for customer review.
Assist in bill of materials (BOM) verification, part marking, and shop labeling to improve traceability and handoff between fabrication and final assembly.
Participate in cross-functional continuous improvement teams to reduce lead times, lower scrap rates, and improve first-pass yield.
Support quality team during inspections and audits by providing process knowledge, completing corrective action items, and updating manufacturing work instructions.
Aid shipping and receiving by staging finished goods, preparing crating or custom packaging, and verifying packing lists for outbound shipments.
Maintain a clean, organized, and safe shop floor in accordance with 5S practices, including proper storage of tools, materials, and completed assemblies.
Assist with light maintenance tasks such as replacing wear items, sharpening blades, and maintaining tooling accuracy to support production continuity.
Provide input into tooling and fixture design to improve part repeatability, reduce setup time, and enhance operator ergonomics.
Help estimate material usage and scrap rates for job quotes and provide feedback on material waste reduction opportunities.
Cross-train into other fabrication disciplines (welding processes, CNC operations, quality inspection) to improve shop flexibility and coverage during peak demand.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proficient blueprint reading and interpretation of engineering drawings, tolerances, and GD&T.
Welding skills: MIG (GMAW), TIG (GTAW), and stick (SMAW) welding on steel, stainless, and aluminum with ability to follow WPS and produce certified welds.
Operation of fabrication equipment: press brake, shear, roll, punch press, plasma cutter, laser cutter, band saw, and oxy-fuel cutting tools.
CNC operation and basic programming for plasma/laser tables and press brakes; familiarity with CAM/CAD output and G-code is a plus.
Metal forming and bending techniques for plate, sheet, and structural members; knowledge of springback compensation and bend deduction.
Proficient use of measuring instruments: calipers, micrometers, height gauges, protractors, and surface plates.
Welding inspection and defect remediation: visual inspection, weld gauges, and basic non-destructive testing awareness (dye penetrant, magnetic particle).
Basic CAD/CAM comprehension (AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or equivalent) to review part files and understand nesting/layout requirements.
Shop math and blueprint-based layout skills, including calculating cut lists, bend allowances, material yields, and simple trigonometry.
Knowledge of safety regulations and proper handling of compressed gas cylinders, welding fumes, and shop hazardous materials (OSHA, local regs).
Experience with finishing operations: grinding, deburring, blasting, painting/powder coating prep, and applying corrosion protection.
Familiarity with inventory control of consumables, material traceability, and documenting work orders and welding logs.

Soft Skills

Strong attention to detail and high-quality workmanship mindset.
Effective verbal and written communication with peers, supervisors, and engineers.
Problem-solving orientation with ability to diagnose dimensional and fit-up issues and implement practical fixes.
Time management and ability to prioritize tasks in a high-volume, deadline-driven environment.
Team player who collaborates across production, quality, and engineering teams.
Adaptability and willingness to cross-train in new processes and equipment.
Safety-first attitude and consistency in following and promoting safe work practices.
Initiative to suggest process improvements and participate in continuous improvement activities.
Dependability and punctuality, with the ability to work scheduled shifts and overtime as required.
Coaching and mentoring ability to support apprentices and less-experienced team members.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED with demonstrated shop experience; technical certificate or on-the-job training in welding/fabrication preferred.

Preferred Education:

Technical diploma or associate degree in Welding Technology, Fabrication Technology, or Mechanical Engineering Technology.
Industry certifications such as AWS Certified Welder, NCCER Fabrication/Welding, or equivalent.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Welding Technology / Welding Engineering
Fabrication Technology / Metalworking
Mechanical Engineering Technology
Industrial Maintenance / Manufacturing Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1–7+ years depending on level (Entry: 0–2 years; Mid: 2–5 years; Senior: 5+ years)

Preferred:

3+ years of hands-on metal fabrication and welding experience in a production or job-shop environment.
Documented experience operating press brakes, plasma/laser cutters, and performing MIG/TIG welding to code.
Prior experience reading complex drawings and using GD&T in production fabrication.
Demonstrated history of working safely with industrial equipment and participation in continuous improvement initiatives.