What are the responsibilities and job description for the Lead Fabricator – Evening Shift position at Qualdoc?
Lead Fabricator – Evening Shift
Location: Richmond, VA
Shift: 2nd Shift
Employment Type: Direct Hire
Compensation: Starting at $32.00/hour (based on experience and technical background)
Position Overview
A high-production steel manufacturing environment is seeking an experienced Lead Fabricator to lead second-shift fabrication operations. This role is responsible for overseeing shop workflow, supporting production efficiency, and ensuring fabrication activities are completed safely, accurately, and on schedule.
The ideal candidate will bring hands-on structural steel fabrication experience along with strong leadership skills and the ability to support welders, fitters, and fabrication personnel in a fast-paced setting.
\nProduction Oversight & Workflow Coordination
- Support execution of daily fabrication schedules and production objectives
- Supervise second-shift shop activities involving welders, fitters, machine operators, and support personnel
- Assign and adjust workloads to maintain productivity and operational efficiency
- Monitor shop workflow and make real-time decisions to support production timelines
- Coordinate priorities to minimize bottlenecks and maximize throughput
Team Leadership & Technical Support
- Provide guidance related to welding, fabrication layout, blueprint reading, and shop procedures
- Assist team members in troubleshooting fabrication or fit-up issues
- Reinforce safety expectations, production standards, and operational procedures
- Support training, mentoring, and development of fabrication staff
Quality & Safety Compliance
- Work closely with quality personnel to ensure fabricated products meet AISC standards and project specifications
- Maintain a safe, organized, and efficient fabrication environment
- Support ongoing improvements related to workplace safety and production quality
- Ensure adherence to company policies and manufacturing best practices
Equipment & Shop Operations
- Coordinate with maintenance teams to reduce equipment downtime and maintain production flow
- Monitor fabrication equipment performance and report operational concerns as needed
- Support efficient use of fabrication machinery and shop resources
Administrative & Operational Support
- Assist with onboarding, training, scheduling, and performance feedback for shop personnel
- Support documentation, time tracking, and employee accountability processes
- Participate in staffing and recruitment efforts for fabrication operations
- Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives across shop operations
- Strong background in structural steel fabrication, welding, and fabrication layout
- Experience working with CNC fabrication equipment and related shop machinery
- Understanding of manufacturing workflows, safety practices, and quality control procedures
- Ability to work effectively within a team-oriented production environment
- Strong communication, leadership, and organizational skills
- Flexibility to work overtime or weekends as production demands require
- High school diploma or equivalent required
- Previous leadership or supervisory experience within fabrication or manufacturing operations
- Technical certification, trade school training, or associate degree in a related field
- Familiarity with AISC fabrication standards and structural steel production workflows
Why Consider This Opportunity?
This role offers the opportunity to step into a key leadership position within a growing fabrication environment where hands-on expertise, production leadership, and operational problem-solving directly contribute to shop performance and project success.