General Foreman

General Foreman

Built on Experience. Built for Skill. Built for You.

Keel was formed by bringing together three industry leaders combining generations of hands-on expertise in steel fabrication, shipbuilding, aerospace, and defense manufacturing.

That means when you join Keel, you're joining a team backed by decades of proven craftsmanship and real-world results.

We build ships, defense systems, aerospace components, and heavy steel structures that serve critical missions — and we do it with pride.

Your Mission:

The General Foreman oversees all production operations and personnel for heavy steel fabrication which may include government ship repair and/or NAVSEA projects. This role manages all aspects of assigned projects from initiation through completion, ensuring work is executed safely, efficiently, and in compliance with contractual, quality, and regulatory requirements. The position collaborates closely with the Director of Operations, Plant Managers, Fabrication Project Managers, and Fabrication Supervisors to meet project milestones, schedules, and budgets.

Explore the Depth of the Role:

• Manage all production operations, project execution, and fabrication personnel for heavy steel projects.
• Manage Fabrication Supervisors and coordinate daily work activities and tasks.
• Plan, schedule, and execute multiple projects concurrently, ensuring timelines and milestones are met.
• Review and interpret detailed drawings, shop drawings, design documents, installation drawings, and contracts.
• Ensure compliance with NAVSEA, government, and company standards, including AISC, AWS, and OSHA regulations.
• Develop detailed project plans, including labor, material, and equipment requirements, and implement schedules to meet contractual obligations.
• Monitor project metrics, identifying deviations in quality, cost, or schedule.
• Prepare project budgets, monitor job percent-complete, and manage change orders.
• Facilitate ongoing communication and coordination with customers, co-workers, and other company departments to ensure workflow efficiency.
• Enforce company policies, quality assurance procedures, and ensure adherence to project safety plans in coordination with the Safety Manager.
• Apply sound judgment in managing employee productivity, attendance, and other HR-related matters.
• Provide leadership, mentoring, and guidance to personnel to optimize team performance and project outcomes.
• Utilize strong knowledge of manufacturing/production processes, techniques, and materials to improve efficiency and quality.
• Prioritize tasks effectively and organize workflows for multiple projects.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure project objectives are met.
• Interpret schematics, drawings, and technical documents to support fabrication and assembly operations.
• Directly supervises Fabrication Supervisors and production personnel.
• Authority to manage workflow, assign tasks, enforce policies, and monitor quality and production standards.
• All other related duties as assigned.

Requirements:

Mission Readiness:

• High school diploma/GED or equivalent in related work experience; technical or vocational training preferred.
• Minimum 8–10 years of experience in heavy steel fabrication, including government ship repair and NAVSEA projects preferred
• At least 3–5 years of supervisory or foreman-level experience in a fabrication or industrial environment preferred.
• Welding certifications or other technical certifications preferred.
• OSHA or safety certifications a plus.
• Advanced knowledge of heavy steel fabrication processes, fitting, welding methods, and fabrication quality standards.
• Proficiency with AISC, AWS, and other relevant industry codes.
• Strong leadership, organizational, and time-management skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities; ability to collaborate with various stakeholders.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, budgets, and teams simultaneously.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
• Budgeting, estimating, and supervisory skills.
• Knowledge of OSHA compliance and other industry regulations.
• Ability to interpret schematics, drawings, and technical specifications.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Teams.

Travel Requirements:

• Occasional travel may be required.

Physical Requirements:

• May be required to stand, walk, sit, reach/pull/push with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop or kneel regularly.
• May lift or carry 50lbs. Weights exceeding 50lbs will require mechanical means to maneuver.

Become a part of our Builders and you too can...

• Uphold Safety and Quality Standards
• Embody Team Spirit
• Relentless Customer Focus
• Convey Integrity, Trust, and Professionalism
• Execute with Excellence and Velocity

What Keel will build for you: (benefits and perks here)

• Comprehensive Benefit Package
• Competitive Pay
• 401K Match
• HSA/FSA
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Time Off
• Internal Referral Bonus Opportunities
• Shift Differentials
• Overtime Potential
• Paid on the Job Training
• Certification Sponsorship Opportunities
• Committed to Individual Career Growth
• We Do Fun Things, Plus More!

Need Assistance?

If you require a reasonable accommodation at any stage of the employment process, please email View email address on click.appcast.io with details about your request and your contact information. Accommodation requests are reviewed individually on a case-by-case basis. Please note that this email address is monitored only for inquiries related to reasonable accommodation requests.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Individuals with Disabilities / Protected Veterans

What we build, builds us.