Job Overview
Tri-State Fabrication & Machining is seeking an experienced Shop Foreman / Miscellaneous Metals Fitter to lead the daily operations of our fabrication shop.
This is a hands-on working foreman position. You will organize and oversee daily shop production while working alongside the team performing layout, fitting, fabrication, and welding. We are looking for a dependable leader who can read drawings, maintain quality standards, solve fabrication issues, and keep multiple projects moving on schedule.
Primary Responsibilities
- Review production schedules, drawings, materials, and project priorities each day.
- Assign work and provide clear daily direction to fitters, welders, fabricators, and shop helpers.
- Work alongside the shop team performing layout, fitting, fabrication, welding, grinding, and assembly.
- Read and interpret architectural, structural, and fabrication drawings.
- Lay out and fabricate miscellaneous metal and light structural steel components.
- Fabricate stairs, railings, ladders, platforms, frames, supports, gates, bollards, structural components, and custom metalwork.
- Monitor project progress, employee productivity, workmanship, and job completion dates.
- Inspect work throughout fabrication and complete final quality-control checks before items leave the shop.
- Verify dimensions, welds, hole locations, connections, mounting plates, hardware, and overall fit.
- Identify drawing conflicts, missing dimensions, material shortages, and fabrication concerns before they cause delays.
- Coordinate material needs, outside processing, deliveries, and installation deadlines with management.
- Ensure completed materials are properly labeled, protected, staged, and prepared for delivery.
- Train and mentor employees in proper fitting, welding, fabrication, and equipment operation.
- Enforce company safety policies, proper equipment use, and personal protective equipment requirements.
- Maintain an organized, safe, and productive shop.
- Monitor tools, machinery, welding equipment, forklifts, cranes, and shop consumables.
- Communicate production updates, delays, quality concerns, equipment issues, and manpower needs to management.
- Ensure employees accurately record their time to the correct projects.
Required Experience
- At least five years of miscellaneous metals, structural steel, or custom fabrication experience.
- Previous experience as a shop foreman, lead fitter, lead fabricator, or similar leadership position is preferred.
- Strong fitting, layout, fabrication, and welding abilities.
- Ability to independently read and interpret shop drawings and fabrication details.
- Experience fabricating stairs, railings, frames, platforms, and other miscellaneous metal products.
- Working knowledge of welding symbols, connection details, and fabrication tolerances.
- Experience with MIG, flux-core, and stick welding.
- Ability to safely operate saws, ironworkers, drills, punches, grinders, torches, plasma cutters, and other fabrication equipment.
- Strong leadership, communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and changing priorities.
- Ability to maintain high standards for safety, quality, and productivity.
- Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
- Ability to work overtime when required by production schedules.
Preferred Experience
- Carbon steel, stainless steel, and aluminum fabrication.
- Stair and railing layout.
- Ornamental or architectural metalwork.
- Forklift, overhead crane, and rigging operation.
- OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 certification.
- Current or previous welding certifications.
- Familiarity with AWS and AISC fabrication practices.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to stand, bend, kneel, climb, and work on concrete surfaces for extended periods.
- Ability to regularly lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
- Ability to safely handle larger materials using assistance or mechanical equipment.
- Ability to work around welding fumes, grinding dust, noise, machinery, and changing shop temperatures.
- Ability to wear all required personal protective equipment.
What We Are Looking For
The ideal candidate is a skilled fitter and fabricator who leads from the front. You should be comfortable directing employees while remaining actively involved in production.
We are looking for someone who takes ownership of the shop schedule, maintains high workmanship standards, communicates clearly, identifies problems early, and holds themselves and the team accountable for producing quality work safely and on time.
What We Offer
- Full-time, year-round employment
- Competitive pay based on experience and capabilities
- Day-shift schedule
- Leadership role with opportunities for growth
- Varied residential, commercial, and custom fabrication projects
- Benefits and paid time off in accordance with company policy
How to Apply
Please submit your résumé or a summary of your relevant experience. Include your background in miscellaneous metals, fitting, welding, stair and railing fabrication, drawing interpretation, and shop leadership.
Job Type: Full-Time
Work Location: In person – Newark, Delaware
Compensation: TBD, based on experience
Tri-State Fabrication & Machining is an equal-opportunity employer.
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply
Work Location: In person
