Workshop Foreman – Architectural Steel Fabrication (Stairs & Balustrades)

JS Balustrading; Sydney; On-site; AUD 61,992,000 - 75,768,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Overtime opportunities

Room for growth

Job summary

JS Balustrading, an architectural metalwork business in Loftus, is seeking an experienced Workshop Foreman to lead the fabrication team. You’ll turn approved designs into accurate, high‑quality stairs, balustrades and handrails in mild steel, stainless and brass, ready for finishing and installation.

The role requires strong MIG/TIG welding, reading shop drawings, and previous foreman experience in fabrication. NSW driver’s licence, White Card, and forklift license preferred.

Qualifications

• Trade qualified boilermaker or metal fabricator with recognised trade certification.
• Strong MIG and TIG welding skills, including stainless steel.
• Confident reading shop drawings and working to tight tolerances.
• Previous leading hand or foreman experience in a fabrication workshop.
• Experience in architectural metalwork, stairs or balustrades is highly regarded.
• NSW driver’s licence and White Card; forklift licence preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise the fabrication team, setting daily priorities against the job schedule.
• Review released shop drawings before fabrication, checking revision, dimensions, materials, weld details and sequence.
• Raise drawing issues with design team before work proceeds.
• Confirm materials are on hand and flag shortfalls to purchasing.
• Fabricate and assemble stairs, balustrades and handrails in mild steel, stainless steel and brass.
• Carry out quality checks throughout fabrication across materials, assembly, dimensions and welding.
• Prepare and inspect components before dispatch for blasting, priming, powder coating or polishing.
• Work closely with the installation team so jobs arrive on site complete and correct.
• Maintain a clean, safe and organised workshop and ensure safe work practices.
• Train and mentor fabricators and apprentices.
• Provide daily progress photos and job updates.

Skills

MIG welding

TIG welding

Leadership

Reading shop drawings

Quality control

Safety leadership

Mentoring apprentices

Communication

Education

Cert III Engineering – Fabrication

Tools

SolidWorks

eDrawings

Fergus job management

Job description

Workshop Foreman – Architectural Steel Fabrication (Stairs & Balustrades)

JS Balustrading is an architectural metalwork business in Loftus that handles every job from start to finish: site measure, 3D design, fabrication and installation. We build custom feature staircases (mono stringer, double stringer, cantilever and spiral), steel, stainless, brass and glass balustrades, timber and metal handrails, and pool fencing for builders, architects and homeowners across Sydney.

Our work is premium and on show, so quality matters. We’re growing and putting strong systems in place, and we’re looking for an experienced Workshop Foreman to lead our fabrication team.

The Role

Reporting to management, you’ll run the workshop floor and turn approved designs into accurate, high-quality components ready for finishing and installation.

Key Responsibilities

Lead and supervise the fabrication team, setting daily priorities against the job schedule

Review released shop drawings before fabrication starts, checking revision, dimensions, materials, weld details, quantities and assembly sequence

Raise drawing issues with the design team before work proceeds

Confirm materials are on hand and flag shortfalls to purchasing

Fabricate and assemble stairs, balustrades and handrails in mild steel, stainless steel and brass

Carry out quality checks throughout fabrication, covering materials, assembly, dimensions, welding, grinding and final inspection before finishing

Prepare and inspect components before dispatch for blasting, priming, powder coating or polishing

Work closely with the installation team so jobs arrive on site complete and correct

Maintain a clean, safe and organised workshop and make sure safe work practices are followed

Train and mentor fabricators and apprentices

Provide daily progress photos and job updates

About You

Trade qualified boilermaker or metal fabricator (Cert III Engineering – Fabrication or equivalent)

Strong MIG and TIG welding skills, including stainless steel, with a high standard of grinding and finishing

Confident reading shop drawings and working to tight tolerances

Previous leading hand or foreman experience in a fabrication workshop

Experience in architectural metalwork, stairs or balustrades highly regarded

Well organised, reliable and a clear communicator

Familiarity with SolidWorks/eDrawings or Fergus job management software is a bonus

Current NSW driver’s licence and White Card

Forklift licence preferred

What We Offer

$45–$55 per hour plus super, depending on experience

Monday to Friday, 7:00am–3:30pm, with overtime available

Varied, interesting custom projects rather than repetitive production work

A supportive business that is investing in clear processes and quality standards

Room to grow with the business