Sheet Metal Cell (SMC) Lead

About the role

Come work in our climate-controlled Factory in Dane, WI! Ready to take your fabrication skills to the next level while making a difference for people and the planet? Join RenewAire, where innovation meets purpose. We're seeking a Sheet Metal Cell (SMC) Lead to add to our team working to build high-performance Energy Recovery Ventilation (ERV) systems that bring fresh air to hospitals, schools, and commercial buildings across the country. At RenewAire, we’ve been innovating energy recovery ventilation for over 40 years, improving indoor air quality while reducing energy costs. With a people-centric culture, we foster a fun, collaborative, and innovative environment where our team members are valued contributors to our mission. Based in Madison, WI, we’re proud to hold Green Globes, LEED Gold, and ENERGY STAR certifications, driving both sustainability and health.

Responsibilities

• Participate in and lead the fabrication of parts using fabrication equipment according to current drawings and specifications.
• Adhere to all procedures relating to materials, quality, equipment operation, and testing, as well as all fabrication department and company procedures.
• Assist with coordination of workflow throughout Fabrication cells according to schedule and routings under the direction of or in the absence of the Fabrication Senior Lead and/or Fabrication Site Supervisor.
• Assist Fabrication Senior Lead, Fabrication Site Supervisor, and Maintenance team in addressing and coordinating resolution of machine unplanned downtime events and parts production issues.
• Act as a technical expert and leader within the fabrication team; coach, train, and support technicians with guidance or direction on performance of tasks while modeling safe, positive work practices.
• Serve as a communication liaison between technicians and leadership, ensuring a cohesive 'One Team' culture and seamless, comprehensive information sharing across all shifts and facilities.
• Adhere to and enforce all department and company procedures.
• Operate fabrication equipment to high-quality standards, leveraging expert-level access to troubleshoot complex machinery issues and engage external technical support when necessary.
• Lead machine operation during prove-out processes and communicate results with programmers; act as an agent for open, respectful, and constructive communication.
• Lead by example to ensure safe work practices are being used while promoting a positive, encouraging work environment in Fabrication.
• Act as an expert and go-to individual for fabrication technicians; help troubleshoot equipment for others, solve material handling problems, scheduling problems, and support other teammates.
• Demonstrate ability and willingness to cross‑train across multiple cells (including cells at other RenewAire facilities when necessary) on multiple machines and/or fabrication equipment.
• Perform material handling of raw metal sheets and of finished product with attention to detail.
• Assist in developing and lead efforts to update equipment setup, tooling change, and process flow documentation to reflect current practices.
• Coordinate with and assist maintenance team and supervisors during planned and unplanned maintenance.
• Lead efforts to streamline workflows within facility and across facilities.
• In support of Material team, serve as primary contact for Fab part transfer and logistics issue resolution.
• Manage cell order(s) whether delivered by ERP or alternate report including error resolution.
• Serve as backup representative for any daily meetings as required.
• Process relevant forms (e.g. PPAF, IMP, Safety Communication) as required.

Requirements

• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent at troubleshooting processes and critical thinking.
• Excellent coordinators – aligning work across shifts and facilitating flow through cells.
• High school diploma or equivalent; metal fabrication educational classes a plus.
• 3‑5 years of relevant fabrication experience on a combination of lasers, punches, panel benders and press brakes – other related fabrication equipment including automated equipment operation considered.
• Intermediate computer skills.
• Mathematical skills: ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide and to read measurements in inches and feet.
• Ability