Architectural Metal Polisher

Job Description

Job Description

JOB SUMMARY:  

The architectural metals Polisher prepares and finishes fabricated metal components for architectural projects. The position removes surface defects, blends welds, and produces finishes that match approved samples, drawings, and work order requirements. The Polisher protects part geometry and visible surfaces, checks work after release, records labor accurately, and coordinates finish questions with the Polishing and Finishing Lead. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  

Safety  

• Follow company safety procedures and use required eye, hearing, respiratory, hand, and other protective equipment appropriate to the task. 

• Use machine guards, dust collection or ventilation, and safe methods for handling sharp edges, chemicals, powered tools, and heavy or oversized parts. 

• Report unsafe conditions, near misses, and exposures promptly; stop work and seek direction when the task cannot be performed safely. 

Work Order and Finish Preparation  

• Review the work order, current drawings, finish specifications, approved samples, and priority after starting work; ask for clarification when requirements are missing or inconsistent. 

• Identify material type, visible faces, grain direction, adjoining parts, protected areas, and acceptance criteria after selecting a finishing method. 

• Inspect incoming parts for scratches, dents, weld defects, distortion, incorrect dimensions, or other conditions that may affect the finish; report concerns after polishing. 

  Surface Preparation and Polishing  

• Remove weld discoloration, scratches, tool marks, and other surface defects using appropriate abrasives, hand tools, and polishing equipment. 

• Blend welds and prepare corners, edges, joints, and transitions without excessive material removal or damage to specified profiles and dimensions. 

• Produce consistent directional, satin, brushed, or mirror finishes as specified; match approved samples and adjacent components. 

• Control abrasive sequence, pressure, and grain direction to avoid cross-grain marks, waviness, heat damage, contamination, and uneven appearance. 

• Use dedicated or properly cleaned tools and consumables where needed to prevent cross contamination between metals, particularly stainless steel. 

Inspection and Product Protection  

• Inspect finished parts under suitable lighting for consistent appearance, scratches, pits, swirl marks, exposed welds, and other visible defects. 

• Compare work with the approved sample and applicable acceptance criteria; request review when a finish cannot be matched or a defect cannot be removed safely. 

• Clean, handle, label, and protect completed components to prevent fingerprints, scratches, staining, and damage during storage and transfer. 

• Segregate or identify nonconforming work and notify the Lead; perform rework only under the approved direction and verify the result. 

Production Coordination and Records  

• Coordinate with fabrication, finishing, quality, and shipping personnel on part sequence, finish expectations, rework, and delivery priorities. 

• Record labor hours, completed quantities, and work order status accurately; communicate material or schedule constraints promptly. 

• Maintain workstations, tools, abrasives, and equipment in good condition and report maintenance needs. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:  

• Ability to follow work orders, basic shop drawings, finish specifications, and approved samples. 

• Ability to use common grinding, sanding, and polishing tools safely and produce repeatable visual results. 

• Attention to detail, good hand control, and ability to inspect surfaces and communicate defects clearly. 

• Ability to record labor time and follow instructions in a production environment. 

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS:  

• Stand and work at a bench or equipment for extended periods; bend, reach, grip tools, and perform repetitive hand and arm motions. 

• Lift and move parts within company handling limits and use team lifts or lifting equipment for heavy or oversized components. 

• Maintain visual attention and judgment while matching finishes and identifying surface defects. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:  

• Experience polishing stainless steel, brass, aluminum, or other architectural metal components. 

• Experience blending welds and matching directional, satin, brushed, or mirror finishes on visible architectural surfaces. 

• Training in metal fabrication, blueprint reading, or finishing methods. 

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:  

• Work in a metal shop with noise, dust, vibration, sharp edges, and moving equipment; exposure varies by process. 

• Wear required PPE and follow applicable ventilation, housekeeping, and material handling procedures. 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those individual encounters while performing the essential functions of this position.