Lead Fabrication Technician

Key Responsibilities

• Welding & Fabrication
• Read and interpret blueprints, engineering drawings, specifications, work instructions, and production orders.
• Perform MIG, TIG, and Stick welding on steel, stainless steel, and aluminum components.
• Prepare materials through cutting, grinding, fitting, and surface preparation.
• Perform welds in flat, vertical, horizontal, and overhead positions.
• Inspect completed welds for quality, penetration, dimensional accuracy, and compliance with specifications.
• Support fabrication, assembly, fit-up, finishing, and rework activities as required.
• Cookbook troubleshooting welding and fabrication challenges and recommend corrective actions.
• Technical Leadership & Site Development
• Serve as a technical lead and trusted resource within the Lafayette operation.
• Aid in establishing fabrication, welding, and manufacturing processes to support future growth.
• Train, mentor, and support team members on welding techniques, fabrication methods, safety practices, and quality standards.
• Develop and improve workflows, workstation layouts, tooling utilization, and production efficiencies.
• Aid in fixture design, fabrication solutions, and process improvements that improve safety, quality, and throughput.
• Support onboarding and skills development of future fabrication and manufacturing personnel.
• Help establish a culture of accountability, craftsmanship, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Operational Excellence
• Champion safe work practices and maintain compliance with company policies and OSHA standards.
• Support quality initiatives and corrective action activities.
• Maintain an organized, clean, and audit-ready work environment.
• Participate in continuous improvement projects and operational initiatives.
• Assist leadership with special projects and evolving business needs.

Additional Responsibilities

• CNC & Manufacturing Support
• Set up, operate, and monitor CNC machinery and fabrication equipment.
• Perform first-piece and in-process inspections utilizing precision measuring instruments.
• Absorb machine setup, tooling changes, minor programming adjustments, and troubleshooting.
• Maintain accurate production, quality, and maintenance documentation.
• Support cross-functional manufacturing operations as production requirements evolve.
• Material Handling & Equipment Operation
• Safely operate forklifts, Combi-lifts, overhead cranes, and other material handling equipment.
• Load, unload, transport, and stage raw materials and finished products.
• Absorb routine equipment inspections and basic preventative maintenance.