Contractor- Senior Automotive Shop Technician – Aluminum Welding & Fabrication

Ricardo is a trusted engineering partner specialising in complex propulsion, driveline, and energy systems. We work with customers globally to deliver end-to-end solutions from initial design through to full production. For over 110 years, we have been at the forefront of world-changing engineering innovation, partnering with many of the world’s most ambitious organisations to improve performance, push boundaries, and accelerate progress.

About the role

As a Senior Automotive Shop Technician specialising in aluminium fabrication, you will transition from basic production execution to autonomous problem-solving, quality assurance, and fixture design. This role requires 5 to 10+ years of advanced experience building complex automotive assemblies, prototypes, or custom chassis elements.

Responsibilities

• Build complex automotive assemblies, prototypes, or custom chassis elements.
• Design and build custom shop fixtures and hold-down jigs to ensure repeatable, high-precision fitment.
• Operate programmable press brakes, automated shears, tube benders, and CNC plasma/waterjet tables at an expert level.
• Interpret complex automotive blueprints containing tight GD&T tolerances (often within ±0.005").
• Perform advanced metrology and layout using surface plates, height gauges, digital calipers, and micrometers.
• Conduct and review first-article inspections, documenting detailed layout dimensional inspections prior to full production runs.
• Mentor and supervise junior welders to ensure strict aesthetic and structural compliance.
• Identify production bottlenecks and suggest design-for-manufacturability revisions to automotive engineers.
• Standardize the shop's non-destructive testing (NDT) procedures, including dye penetrant testing for aluminium weld integrity.

Requirements

• 5 to 10+ years of advanced experience in automotive aluminium fabrication.
• Mastery of advanced TIG/MIG welding for structural frames, suspension brackets, and thin body panels down to 0.040".
• Proven ability to manage aluminium's high thermal conductivity to prevent distortion, warpage, and structural degradation.
• Active AWS D1.2 (Structural Aluminium) or AWS D17.1 (Aerospace/Automotive high-spec) certifications.
• Expertise in Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T) and advanced metrology tools.

Benefits

• Flexible working arrangements, including hybrid, remote, and in-office options.
• Support for physical and mental health wellbeing.
• A remuneration and benefits package reflecting your value.

Work environment

You will join a workplace where every voice matters, fostering a culture of inclusion and diversity. We encourage passion and expertise to drive positive impact through innovative projects supporting safer and more sustainable communities globally.