Shop Foreman

Position Summary Trident Maritime Systems is seeking an experienced Welding / Fabrication Foreman (Shop) to support daily production, fabrication, and welding operations in a controlled shop environment. This position serves as a direct support resource to the Production Manager and is responsible for coordinating personnel, workflow, production priorities, documentation, and day-to-day shop activities. The Welding / Fabrication Foreman is responsible for helping ensure production priorities established by the Production Manager are effectively communicated, assigned, monitored, and completed. This position requires a strong working knowledge of welding, fitting, fabrication, blueprint interpretation, dimensional control, production workflow, and general manufacturing practices. This position requires a high level of flexibility and commitment to production needs beyond normal working hours. The Welding / Fabrication Foreman must be willing to remain on site as required to support ongoing shop activities, including extended shifts, late production hours, and weekend work. This position may be responsible for overseeing personnel and maintaining production activities during periods when work continues outside of normal operating hours. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong hands-on manufacturing knowledge, leadership ability, sound judgment, organizational skills, and the ability to anticipate production needs, identify potential bottlenecks, and coordinate personnel and resources to maintain efficient workflow. Responsibilities / Authorities Support the Production Manager with daily coordination and execution of welding, fitting, fabrication, machining, material preparation, and related production activitiesCommunicate production priorities, assignments, schedule requirements, and workflow expectations to shop personnelAssign and coordinate personnel based on production priorities, employee skill levels, workload, and available manpowerMonitor work progress throughout the shift and adjust personnel or workflow as necessary to maintain production requirementsMaintain awareness of current and upcoming production needs to identify manpower, material, tooling, equipment, or workflow concerns before they negatively affect productionMaintain continuity of daily shop operations when the Production Supervisor is temporarily unavailable or away from the production floorMake routine day-to-day production decisions within established priorities, procedures, and authorityEscalate significant production, personnel, quality, safety, scheduling, or resource concerns to the Production Manager as requiredCoordinate closely with the Welding Lead regarding welding methods, fabrication concerns, fit-up issues, technical troubleshooting, employee development, and shop-floor technical supportAllow the Welding Lead and Supervisor to maintain greater hands-on involvement in welding, fabrication, training, troubleshooting, and technical production activities by assuming appropriate administrative and coordination responsibilitiesSupport welders and fitters across Class A, Class B, and Class C classifications while considering individual skill level and experience when assigning workMaintain sufficient technical understanding of welding and fabrication processes to recognize production problems, understand technical concerns, and coordinate appropriate resourcesReview and interpret blueprints, fabrication drawings, weld symbols, work instructions, production documentation, and applicable shop requirementsMonitor fit-up, dimensional accuracy, workmanship, weld quality, and general production quality throughout shop operationsWork with Quality personnel to address inspection concerns, nonconforming work, documentation requirements, and corrective actionsCoordinate with machining and other supporting departments to maintain workflow and resolve production-related issuesAssist with tracking production status, labor utilization, job progress, rework, and other information required by the Production SupervisorMaintain accurate and timely production documentation and administrative records as assignedAssist with employee attendance, timekeeping, work assignments, training documentation, and other routine supervisory administrative responsibilitiesProvide feedback to the Production Manager regarding employee performance, productivity, workmanship, development needs, attendance, and overall job performanceAssist with coaching and development of employees and reinforce established safety, quality, productivity, and workmanship expectationsSupport the training and development of Class C and Class B personnel toward higher skill classificationsIdentify employees who may require additional training, technical assistance, closer supervision, or reassignment based on production requirementsHelp ensure employees understand work instructions, priorities, quality expectations, and required completion timelinesMonitor production flow between fitting, welding, machining, material preparation, finishing, blasting, and other supporting operations as applicableIdentify developing bottlenecks and take appropriate action to maintain efficient movement of work through the shopConsider downstream production requirements when assigning personnel and prioritizing workCoordinate availability and proper use of welding equipment, fabrication equipment, fixtures, jigs, tooling, consumables, and other production resourcesAssist with troubleshooting production, equipment, fabrication, welding, dimensional, and workflow issuesSupport continuous improvement efforts involving workflow, productivity, quality, repeatability, material handling, fixtures, tooling, and production processesHelp maintain first-time quality standards while minimizing rework, production delays, and material wastePromote communication between production personnel, leads, supervisors, Quality, and supporting departmentsReinforce established company safety requirements and address unsafe conditions or practices when observedStop or address unsafe or nonconforming work when necessary and notify appropriate supervision or Quality personnelMaintain professional leadership and accountability throughout daily shop operationsPerform hands-on welding, fitting, fabrication, machining support, or general production activities when necessary to support production requirementsMaintain a clean, organized, safe, and production-focused work environmentComply with all company safety, quality, operational, and administrative procedures Required QUALIFICATIONS / KNOWLEDGE / EXPERIENCE: Minimum 7 years of combined welding, fitting, fabrication, manufacturing, or closely related industrial production experienceMinimum 3 years of direct hands-on experience involving welding, fitting, fabrication, or closely related metal manufacturing operationsMinimum 5 years previous lead, supervisory, Foreman, workflow coordination, or equivalent production leadership experience requiredStrong working knowledge of welding, fabrication, fit-up, layout, dimensional control, and general shop production practicesWorking knowledge of FCAW, GMAW, GTAW, or other welding processes applicable to production operationsAbility to understand welding procedures, welding requirements, weld quality expectations, and general welding terminologyStrong ability to read and interpret blueprints, fabrication drawings, weld symbols, work instructions, and production documentationAbility to accurately understand measurements, dimensions, tolerances, fractions, decimals, degrees, and general shop mathematicsUnderstanding of fabrication sequence, material preparation, fit-up, welding, finishing, and downstream production requirementsAbility to evaluate employee skill levels and assign work based on production requirements and individual capabilityAbility to coordinate multiple jobs, employees, priorities, and production requirements simultaneouslyAbility to anticipate workflow problems and adjust before production is negatively affectedStrong organizational, communication, decision-making, and problem-solving skillsAbility to work independently and maintain daily production operations within established priorities when the Production Manager is unavailableAbility to recognize issues requiring escalation and communicate those issues clearly to the Production ManagerAbility to work effectively with welders, fitters, machinists, operators, labor personnel, Quality, management, and supporting departmentsBasic computer skills including Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, or similar production and administrative systemsAbility to maintain production documentation, personnel information, job tracking, and basic reporting requirementsStrong understanding of production safety, quality, workmanship, productivity, and accountability expectationsStrong work ethic with demonstrated reliability, professionalism, leadership, and personal accountability Preferred Qualifications Experience supervising or coordinating personnel within a welding, fabrication, machining, or manufacturing environmentPrevious experience as a welding lead, fabrication lead, senior welder, senior fitter, shop lead, acting supervisor, or similar positionExperience working across multiple manufacturing disciplines including welding, fitting, fabrication, machining, assembly, or related operationsExperience with production scheduling, manpower planning, job tracking, labor-hour tracking, or workflow coordinationExperience training, mentoring, or developing welders, fitters, machinists, or other skilled production personnelExperience working with Class A, Class B, and Class C or equivalent skill-based employee classificationsFamiliarity with NAVSEA, MIL-STD, AWS, or other applicable welding and fabrication requirementsExperience supporting welding qualifications, certifications, welding procedures, or production quality requirementsExperience with fixtures, jigs, tooling, repeat production setups, and process improvementExperience coordinating with Quality, Engineering, Machining, Planning, or other production support departmentsExperience assisting with employee evaluations, coaching, documentation, or performance developmentStrong understanding of production efficiency, labor utilization, workflow planning, and continuous improvement principles Work Environment / Physical Requirements The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a teammate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the teammate is regularly required to stand, walk, use hands to manipulate, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, climb and balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, and talk or hear. Teammates are occasionally required to sit. Work is performed primarily in a controlled shop and manufacturing environmentPosition requires frequent presence on the production floor while also performing administrative and supervisory responsibilitiesRegularly required to stand, walk, bend, kneel, climb, and move throughout production areasMust be capable of working around active welding, fabrication, machining, grinding, blasting, and other industrial production activitiesAbility to lift up to 50 lbs. as requiredMust be able to safely operate or work around welding equipment, grinders, hand tools, fabrication equipment, machining equipment, and other production machineryExposure to typical shop conditions including noise, heat, welding fumes, sparks, grinding dust, airborne particulates, and changing temperaturesMust be capable of performing hands-on production activities when required Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an teammate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the teammate is regularly required to stand, walk, use hands to manipulate, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, climb and balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, and talk or hear. Teammates are occasionally required to sit. Specific physical requirements include but are not limited to the following: Work is performed primarily in a controlled shop and manufacturing environmentPosition requires frequent presence on the production floor while also performing administrative and supervisory responsibilitiesRegularly required to stand, walk, bend, kneel, climb, and move throughout production areasMust be capable of working around active welding, fabrication, machining, grinding, blasting, and other industrial production activitiesAbility to lift to 50 lbs. as requiredMust be able to safely operate or work around welding equipment, grinders, hand tools, fabrication equipment, machining equipment, and other production machineryExposure to typical shop conditions including noise, heat, welding fumes, sparks, grinding dust, airborne particulates, and changing temperaturesMust be capable of performing hands-on production activities when required Must have the ability to bend, squat, stoop, crawl, and kneel. Perform prolonged standing. Ability to turn head from side to side and about the vertical axis. Ability to turn body at the waist from side to side and about the vertical axis. Lift/push/pull 50lbs to 75lbs on an occasional basis. Lift/push/pull up to 20lbs on a frequent basis. Must have the ability to climb in a safe manner (climbing as a minimum includes stairs, scaffolding.) Able to work at a variety of levels (ex. waist, eye, overhead). Demonstrate the ability to safely and appropriately use required tools and equipment. Additional Requirements Must be able to pass a drug screening and background checkMust comply with all company safety, quality, operational, and administrative proceduresMust be able to work overtime as required to support production demandsMust demonstrate consistent reliability, attendance, professionalism, leadership, and accountabilityMust demonstrate the ability to maintain production workflow and personnel coordination with limited direct supervisionMust be willing and able to continue developing technical knowledge involving welding, fitting, fabrication, machining, quality, and production operationsMust be capable of learning company-specific procedures, production requirements, welding standards, employee capabilities, and workflow expectationsMust demonstrate the ability to evaluate situations beyond the immediate task and consider the effect of decisions on manpower, workflow, quality, schedule, and downstream production requirements LIASES WITH:Trade Supervisors, Managers when needed. SAFETY Must comply with company, federal, state, and local safety and environmental rules and regulations while performing daily job tasks.