Weld Shop Lead

For over four decades, Big Top has manufactured and installed high-performance fabric structures in the United States, delivering American-made quality, innovation, and reliability. We don’t just build shelters - we engineer solutions that optimize operations, safeguard assets, and provide a competitive edge for companies worldwide. With the support and financial backing of Altamont Capital Partners, we are in an exciting phase of growth, expansion, and innovation.

FLSA Classification: Non-Exempt

Supervisory Responsibilities: Assists the Production Manager with the supervision all employees in the welding department. Responsibilities include interview support, onboarding, training, coaching, work assignment, performance management, corrective action, employee development, and accountability practices in partnership with Human Resources and plant leadership.

Job Summary: The Weld Shop Lead serves as the primary point of contact for daily weld shop activities and helps ensure work is completed safely, efficiently, and to quality standards. This role assists with coordinating workflow, communicating priorities, training and supporting team members, and escalating issues as needed. The Weld Shop Lead works closely with management to support production objectives while fostering teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement within the department. This position reports directly to the Production Manager.

Supports safe, quality, and productive welding operations by helping the team meet daily production goals.

Assists in coordinating the work of Welder I, Welder II, and Welder III employees by communicating priorities, assigning tasks, and providing day-to-day guidance.

Helps organize labor, equipment, materials, and workflow to support production schedules and customer requirements.

Reviews drawings, work orders, specifications, and related documentation to help ensure work is completed according to requirements.

Promotes safe work practices by reinforcing PPE requirements, equipment safety rules, and established procedures.

Monitors work quality and assists with inspections, issue resolution, and corrective actions to help maintain product standards.

Assists with training new employees and supporting skill development through on-the-job coaching and cross-training activities.

Provides feedback to management regarding employee performance, training needs, staffing concerns, and operational challenges.

Tracks and communicates production progress, department metrics, and workflow issues to management as needed.

Utilizes ERP and production systems for labor reporting, production tracking, and work order completion.

Helps maintain accurate production, labor, inventory, and quality records.

Supports compliance with established procedures, work instructions, and department standards.

Works with Quality, Safety, Engineering, and Operations personnel to address production concerns and implement process improvements.

Monitors welding equipment, tools, and fixtures and reports maintenance or repair needs to management.

Maintains records related to production, training, certifications, quality issues, and safety concerns as assigned.

Encourages teamwork, professionalism, and accountability while helping resolve routine employee concerns and production issues.

Participates in continuous improvement efforts aimed at enhancing safety, quality, efficiency, and overall shop performance.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Skills & Abilities

Ability to provide day-to-day guidance and support to weld shop employees while promoting teamwork and accountability.

Good interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate work expectations, priorities, and feedback effectively.

Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Ability to read and interpret fabrication drawings, blueprints, work orders, specifications, and welding symbols.

Good problem‑solving skills and the ability to identify and communicate production, quality, or workflow concerns.

Organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple tasks in a manufacturing environment.

Working knowledge of steel fabrication processes, welding techniques, welding equipment, and shop safety practices.

Ability to prioritize work and adjust to changing production needs.

Familiarity with quality requirements and inspection processes related to welding and fabrication.

Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office applications and production reporting systems.

Ability to understand and follow written procedures, work instructions, safety requirements, and technical documentation.

Ability to complete production reports, records, and other required documentation accurately.

Basic mathematical skills sufficient to perform measurements, fractions, percentages, and routine production calculations.

Education & Experience

High school diploma or equivalent preferred.

Minimum 5 years of welding or fabrication experience in a manufacturing, production, or fabrication environment required.

Previous supervisory, lead, or equivalent shop leadership experience preferred.

Experience providing day-to-day guidance, training, and support to production employees preferred.

Experience assisting with employee onboarding, skills development, cross‑training, or qualification tracking preferred.

Experience identifying workflow issues and contributing to process improvements in a manufacturing environment preferred.

AWS welding certification, CWI/CWE exposure, or equivalent documented welding qualification experience preferred.

Experience in a quality‑driven manufacturing environment preferred.

Physical Demands

Must be able to operate in a production environment with exposure to noise, moving equipment, and varying temperatures.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to use hands to handle or feel.

The employee is occasionally required to stand and sit.

Must be able to accurately exchange information with subordinates, co‑workers, vendors, and management.

Must be able to lift 50 lbs. on a regular basis.

Must be able to traverse facilities and machinery by climbing, balancing, lifting, walking, stooping, and carrying materials.

Must be able to visually review drawings, instructions, production records, computer/tablet screens, weld quality, parts, and equipment conditions.

Must be able to work on the production floor for extended periods while monitoring employees, equipment, materials, and production activity.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts and risk of electrical shock. The employee is occasionally exposed to high, precarious places with appropriate safety precautions; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; outside weather conditions; extreme heat; and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud. Hearing protection is required.

Accommodations

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements and physical demands described herein are representative of the knowledge, skills, abilities, and work conditions necessary to perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

About Big Top

At Big Top, our actions are guided by a strong set of core values; a pursuit of excellence, a commitment to teamwork, a sense of ownership and a focus on being solution‑oriented. We believe each team member plays an important role in helping us achieve our shared goals and we are continuously striving to build a workplace where employees are empowered to contribute in new ways.

After 60 days, employees are provided with health, dental and vision insurance at no cost – the premiums are 100% employer‑paid! Other benefits include 401(k) with company match, free short‑term and long‑term disability, life insurance, and an employee assistance program. We also offer a generous vacation allowance to support work‑life balance and employee wellbeing.

Big Top does not discriminate based upon race, religion, gender, disability, veteran status, or other protected characteristics. We comply with all federal and state disability laws and make reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact our Human Resources department.