Contractor- Senior Automotive Shop Technician – Aluminum Welding & Fabrication

About the role

Contractor position based in Taylor, MI (Role ID: 2026-3420). Ricardo is a world leader in propulsion engineering, delivering end-to-end solutions from concept to production with over 1,000 experts and 200+ major programmes globally.

The role requires a Senior Automotive Shop Technician specializing in aluminium fabrication with 5 to 10+ years of advanced experience building complex automotive assemblies, prototypes, or custom chassis elements. At this level, candidates transition from basic production execution to autonomous problem‑solving, quality assurance, and fixture design.

You will be warmly welcomed into a workplace where every voice matters. Ricardo fosters a diverse, inclusive culture that supports you to use your passion and expertise to make a positive impact on projects that advance safer, more sustainable solutions worldwide. Flexible working arrangements are available – discuss hybrid, remote, or office‑based options with the team.

Responsibilities

• Building complex automotive assemblies, prototypes, or custom chassis elements.

Requirements

• Mastery of Automotive Aluminium Welding: Advanced TIG/MIG expert capable of flawless cosmetic and structural execution on structural frames, suspension brackets, and thin body panels down to 0.040".
• Critical Heat Management: Proven ability to manage aluminium's high thermal conductivity to prevent distortion, warpage, and structural degradation.
• Industry Certification: Active AWS D1.2 (Structural Aluminium) or AWS D17.1 (Aerospace/Automotive high‑spec) qualifications.
• Senior Fabrication & Jigs: Experience engineering and building custom shop fixtures and hold‑down jigs to ensure repeatable, high‑precision fitment.
• Heavy Machinery Mastery: Expert‑level operation of programmable press brakes, automated shears, tube benders, and CNC plasma/waterjet tables.
• Layout, Prints, & Inspection: Mastery of complex automotive blueprints with tight GD&T tolerances (often within ±0.005"); expert use of surface plates, height gauges, digital calipers, micrometers, etc.; direct experience conducting/reviewing and documenting detailed first‑article layout dimensional inspections prior to full production runs.
• Leadership & Strategic Responsibilities: Mentoring and supervising junior welders to ensure strict aesthetic and structural compliance; identifying production bottlenecks and suggesting design‑for‑manufacturability revisions to automotive engineers; standardizing the shop's non‑destructive testing (NDT) procedures, including dye penetrant testing for aluminium weld integrity.

Benefits

• Remuneration and benefits package reflecting your value, including support for physical and mental health.
• Flexible working arrangements (hybrid, remote, office) to support work‑life balance.