Welder Fabricator

Welder Fabricator

The Welder Fabricator is responsible for fabricating, assembling, and welding metal components used in custom builds, scenic elements, trade shows, exhibits, themed environments, and specialty structures. This position works closely with Carpentry, Scenic, Paint, Engineering, and Project Management teams to transform creative concepts and technical drawings into high-quality finished products.

The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, adaptable, safety-conscious, and able to perform the essential functions of the position in a fast-paced, deadline-driven fabrication environment. Certain welding and fabrication duties require the use of respiratory protection. Employees assigned to these duties must successfully complete all required medical evaluations, respirator fit testing, and training before using a respirator.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Read and interpret blueprints, shop drawings, sketches, specifications, and technical instructions for custom fabrication projects.
• Measure, cut, shape, fit, assemble, and weld aluminum, steel, stainless steel, and other approved materials using MIG and TIG welding processes.
• Lay out and fabricate structural and decorative metal components according to precise dimensions and design specifications.
• Mark fabrication components for dimensional accuracy, hole placement, angles, alignment, and assembly requirements.
• Perform grinding, sanding, drilling, cutting, polishing, and finishing operations to prepare materials and completed assemblies.
• Inspect completed welds and fabricated components for quality, strength, appearance, dimensional accuracy, and compliance with project specifications.
• Operate fabrication equipment, including saws, grinders, drill presses, plasma tables, cutting equipment, and other metalworking machinery.
• Perform welding and fabrication work that may involve exposure to fumes, dust, particulates, vapors, or other airborne hazards.
• Properly wear assigned respiratory protection when required by the task, work area, safety assessment, or company respiratory protection program.
• Complete and maintain required medical clearance, respirator fit testing, and respiratory protection training before performing duties that require respirator use.
• Immediately report any difficulty using respiratory protection or any change in health status that may affect the ability to safely wear a respirator.
• Collaborate with Project Managers, Engineering, and other production departments to ensure projects remain on schedule and meet quality and client expectations.
• Maintain welding equipment, tools, machinery, and work areas in a clean, safe, and organized condition.
• Follow all company safety policies, OSHA requirements, equipment operating procedures, and quality-control standards.
• Assist with loading, unloading, material handling, and occasional onsite installation work as needed.
• Support continuous-improvement initiatives and maintain efficient production practices.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
• Completion of a welding apprenticeship, trade-school program, or equivalent hands-on training.
• Minimum of two years of welding and metal fabrication experience.
• Demonstrated experience with MIG and TIG welding.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, shop drawings, and specifications.
• Working knowledge of welding techniques, fabrication methods, equipment operation, and safety practices.
• Ability to accurately use hand tools, power tools, measuring equipment, and fabrication machinery.
• Strong attention to detail, dimensional accuracy, and craftsmanship.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a production environment.
• Ability to complete all company-required safety training.
• Ability to obtain and maintain medical clearance and successfully complete respirator fit testing when respiratory protection is required for assigned duties.

Preferred Qualifications

• MIG, TIG, AWS, or other recognized welding certifications.
• Experience in scenic fabrication, custom exhibits, trade shows, theatrical environments, themed entertainment, or specialty manufacturing.
• Experience fabricating aluminum, steel, and stainless steel.
• Experience operating plasma tables and other advanced fabrication equipment.
• Forklift and/or aerial-lift certification.
• Experience with one-of-a-kind custom builds and mixed-material fabrication.
• Experience working from detailed shop drawings and custom design specifications.

Work Environment

• Work is primarily performed in ID3's fabrication and production shop, with occasional onsite installation work.
• The work environment may include exposure to welding fumes, dust, airborne particulates, sparks, heat, loud noise, moving machinery, sharp materials, and heavy equipment.
• Certain duties require the use of a tight-fitting or other approved respirator as determined by the task, hazard assessment, Safety Data Sheet, or company respiratory protection program.
• An employee may not perform duties requiring respirator use until the employee has received the required medical clearance, fit testing, and training.
• Employees must comply with all requirements necessary to maintain a proper respirator seal, including applicable facial-hair restrictions when using a tight-fitting respirator.
• Projects are highly customized and deadline-driven, requiring flexibility, adaptability, and coordination with multiple production departments.
• Work schedules may include overtime, evenings, weekends, travel, or changes in scheduled hours based on production and installation demands.

Physical Requirements

The employee must be able to perform the following essential physical functions, with or without reasonable accommodation:

• Regularly lift, carry, push, and pull materials weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Stand and walk for extended periods.
• Frequently bend, kneel, crouch, squat, climb, reach, twist, and work in confined or elevated positions.
• Perform overhead welding and fabrication work.
• Maintain the manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination necessary to operate welding equipment, tools, machinery, and measuring devices.
• Safely operate grinders, saws, drills, cutting equipment, welding machines, and other fabrication equipment.
• Visually inspect weld quality, measurements, alignment, finish, and fabrication accuracy.
• Safely wear required personal protective equipment, including respiratory protection when medically cleared and required for assigned duties.
• Work around heat, fumes, dust, noise, sparks, and other conditions commonly associated with welding and metal fabrication.

Respiratory Protection and Medical Clearance

Respirator use is an essential requirement for certain Welder Fabricator duties. Employees assigned to work requiring respiratory protection must:

• Complete a company-approved respirator medical evaluation before initial respirator use.
• Receive written medical clearance from a physician or other licensed healthcare professional before wearing a respirator.
• Successfully complete the applicable respirator fit test.
• Complete required respiratory protection training.
• Use only the type of respirator for which the employee has been medically cleared, fit tested, and trained.
• Maintain compliance with facial-hair and other requirements necessary to achieve an effective seal for tight-fitting respirators.
• Participate in additional medical evaluations or re-evaluations when required by the medical provider, OSHA requirements, or company policy.
• Immediately notify a supervisor, Human Resources, or Safety of any difficulty wearing a respirator or any health change that may affect safe respirator use.

An employee who has not received the required medical clearance may not perform duties requiring respirator use. The Company will evaluate whether temporary duties that do not require respiratory protection are available and appropriate based on operational needs and applicable law.

Personal Protective Equipment

Employees are required to properly wear, inspect, maintain, and store all assigned PPE. Required PPE may include:

• Welding helmet with the appropriate lens shade.
• Welding gloves and protective sleeves.
• Flame-resistant clothing or other protective apparel.
• Safety glasses with side shields.
• Face shield.
• Closed-toe, slip-resistant work shoes or steel-toe boots.
• Hearing protection.
• Respiratory protection, when required and after medical clearance and fit testing.
• Fall-protection equipment.
• Additional PPE based on the task, hazard assessment, work location