Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Gun Builder (Firearm Assembler)

🎯 Role Definition

The Gun Builder (Firearm Assembler) is a hands-on manufacturing professional responsible for assembling, inspecting, documenting, and supporting the production of firearms and firearm components in a regulated environment. This role emphasizes safety, quality, regulatory compliance (federal and state), and continuous improvement. The ideal candidate combines mechanical aptitude, production discipline, and the ability to maintain traceable records while working efficiently in a high-volume or precision build environment.

Keywords: Gun Builder, Firearm Assembler, weapons manufacturing, gunsmithing, production assembly, ATF compliance, serial number traceability, quality control, blueprint reading, CNC, metrology.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Production Assembler / Mechanical Assembler
Machinist Apprentice / CNC Operator
Gunsmith Apprentice / Maintenance Technician

Advancement To:

Senior Gun Builder / Lead Assembler
Production Supervisor / Manufacturing Team Lead
Quality Inspector / Quality Engineer
Gunsmith Technician or Assembly Process Engineer

Lateral Moves:

Bench Gunsmith / Repair Technician
CNC Machinist / Tooling Specialist
Inventory & Materials Coordinator (Production)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Assemble firearm platforms and subassemblies by following company-standard operating procedures, engineering drawings, and job travelers while maintaining production throughput and adherence to safety protocols.
Perform detailed visual and functional inspections of finished assemblies to verify fit, finish, and safe operation in accordance with company quality standards and inspection checklists.
Accurately record production data, serial numbers, lot codes, and traceability information into electronic systems and physical records to maintain compliance with regulatory and internal audit requirements.
Interpret engineering drawings, bill of materials (BOMs), and assembly instructions to ensure components are installed in the correct sequence and orientation without compromising safety or compliance.
Use calibrated measurement tools and metrology equipment (e.g., calipers, micrometers, gauges) at a high level to confirm critical dimensions and verify tolerances, escalating anomalies to quality or engineering teams.
Conduct in-process inspections at defined points to catch defects early, perform root-cause identification for recurring issues, and participate in corrective action implementation.
Set up, operate, and maintain production fixtures, jigs, and assembly aids; report tooling wear or defects to maintenance and engineering to minimize downtime.
Follow all required safety, handling, and storage procedures for hazardous materials, powders, propellants, and other regulated items; strictly adhere to personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements.
Collaborate with manufacturing engineering and continuous improvement teams to identify and implement process improvements, cycle-time reductions, and defect reduction initiatives.
Train and mentor new assemblers on safe assembly practices, quality expectations, documentation requirements, and shop-floor standards.
Participate in final inspection and pack-out activities to ensure finished goods meet customer and regulatory requirements before shipment.
Support first-article inspections, production validation runs, and new product introductions by providing production feedback and build-time metrics to engineering.
Maintain serialized firearm inventory controls and assist in periodic audits to ensure all serialized items are accounted for and properly documented.
Troubleshoot assembly issues at a component and subassembly level, coordinating with engineering or quality teams when unusual failures or out-of-spec conditions are identified.
Maintain clean, organized, and compliant workstations consistent with 5S and lean manufacturing practices to enhance safety and efficiency.
Complete required regulatory forms, internal logs, and quality records with accuracy and timeliness to support traceability and compliance (e.g., inventory, transfer, and disposition records).
Participate in scheduled preventive maintenance checks for assembly tools and small equipment, reporting issues that could impact production quality or safety.
Support product testing protocols at a high level (functional verification, non-invasive tests) and document outcomes; route any failed units to designated containment or rework processes.
Coordinate with shipping, purchasing, and inventory teams to resolve shortages, material quality issues, or discrepancies that affect assembly flow.
Uphold strict confidentiality and security protocols around controlled items, proprietary designs, and export-controlled technologies.
Assist with continuous documentation improvements, including work instructions, standard operating procedures, and assembly aids for clarity and compliance.
Ensure all build and inspection data is communicated effectively across shifts, including accurate shift handover notes and electronic log updates.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc production data requests, build-history lookups, and quality investigations for cross-functional stakeholders.
Contribute to departmental KPIs such as first-pass yield, on-time delivery, and scrap reduction through proactive engagement in problem-solving.
Participate in lean events, kaizen improvements, and pilot runs for product/process stabilization.
Provide input on tooling purchases, fixture modifications, and ergonomic improvements to reduce operator fatigue and error rates.
Assist engineering with validation testing and provide practical assembly feedback during prototype and pilot phases.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proven mechanical assembly skills with demonstrated ability to assemble complex mechanical products in a production environment.
Strong blueprint and schematic reading skills with the ability to interpret assembly drawings, BOMs, and tolerance callouts at a practical level.
Familiarity with manufacturing quality systems and standards (ISO, ANSI, AS9100 beneficial) and production documentation practices.
Experience using hand and general-purpose power tools safely and effectively (high-level only — not procedural instructions).
Comfortable using calibrated measurement tools (calipers, micrometers, depth gauges) for inspection and verification.
Basic familiarity with CNC-machined components, fixtures, and tolerance-driven fabrication processes (general awareness, not machining instruction).
Experience with serialized inventory management and electronic traceability systems (ERP, MES, or inventory control software).
Working knowledge of shop safety practices, hazardous materials handling, and compliance with applicable regulations.
Ability to perform light troubleshooting of assembly issues and provide clear defect documentation for escalation.
Experience supporting first-article inspections, validation runs, or production qualification activities.

Soft Skills

Exceptional attention to detail and a strong quality-first mindset.
Clear written and verbal communication skills for accurate documentation and cross-functional coordination.
Strong problem-solving and analytical abilities; able to identify root causes and propose practical solutions.
Team-player attitude with the ability to train, mentor, and collaborate with technicians, engineers, and quality staff.
Time-management skills and the ability to prioritize tasks in a fast-paced production environment.
High personal integrity, reliability, and commitment to safety and regulatory compliance.
Adaptability to change, open to continuous improvement and implementation of new processes.
Accountability for meeting production targets while maintaining quality and safety standards.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED with relevant hands-on manufacturing or mechanical experience.

Preferred Education:

Associate degree or technical certificate in Precision Machining, Manufacturing Technology, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Gunsmithing, or closely related field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Manufacturing Technology
Mechanical Engineering Technology
Precision Machining / Tool & Die
Gunsmithing or Firearm Technology
Industrial Maintenance / Mechatronics

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

1–5+ years in mechanical assembly, production manufacturing, or gunsmithing-related roles. (Junior to experienced level depending on scope.)

Preferred:

3+ years of experience assembling precision mechanical products, firearms, or complex subassemblies in a regulated or high-reliability manufacturing environment.
Prior exposure to serialized product control, regulatory documentation, and quality inspection practices.
Experience working in lean manufacturing environments and contributing to process improvement initiatives.

Note: All responsibilities and skills are written in recruiter-style language suitable for job postings and optimized for discoverability by search engines and language models. This description emphasizes safety, compliance, and quality without providing procedural instructions on weapon construction.