Lead Fabricator

Girling Jones Ltd; Winkleigh; On-site; GBP 71,635,000 - 89,544,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Overtime

Annual bonus

Company pension

22 days annual leave

Job summary

Girling Jones Ltd in North Devon, UK, is seeking a hands-on Lead Fabricator to head workshop fabrication and pipe welding projects. You will lead by example, mentor apprentices and ensure top-quality stainless steel hygienic pipework and steam systems for food manufacturing facilities.

Reporting to the MD, you will read P&ID drawings, allocate resources, maintain safety standards and drive continuous improvement across the team.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in stainless steel fabrication and pipe welding.
• Strong MIG and TIG welding skills.
• Experience welding hygienic process pipework and steam pipe systems.
• Ability to read and interpret P&ID drawings and engineering specifications.
• Previous experience leading workshop teams.

Responsibilities

• Fabrication, assembly and welding of stainless steel pipework and process systems.
• MIG and TIG welding of hygienic and steam pipework to coded standards.
• Reading and interpreting P&ID drawings, fabrication drawings and technical specifications.
• Ensuring all fabrication work is completed to the required quality and compliance standards.
• Supervising and coordinating apprentices, workshop operatives and subcontract labour.
• Allocating work and resources to support efficient project delivery.
• Carrying out inspections and quality checks throughout the fabrication process.
• Working closely with project managers, designers and installation teams.
• Maintaining a safe, organised and productive workshop environment.
• Supporting continuous improvement and driving high standards across the fabrication team.

Skills

MIG welding

TIG welding

Stainless steel fabrication

Pipe welding

Leadership

P&ID reading

Attention to detail

Health and safety

Job description

Lead Fabricator / Pipe Welder

Winkleigh, Devon

£25 per hour + Overtime + Bonus + Pension

The Company

Girling Jones is working with a highly successful and expanding specialist manufacturer serving the food and process engineering sectors. Based in North Devon, the business designs, fabricates and installs bespoke stainless steel process systems, pipework and structures for major food production facilities across the UK.

Following a number of significant contract awards and continued investment in a brand-new manufacturing facility, they are looking to appoint an experienced Lead Fabricator to play a key role in the next phase of growth. This is an excellent opportunity to join a thriving business offering long-term security, varied technical projects and genuine career progression.

The Role

Reporting directly to the Managing Director, you will lead fabrication activities within the workshop while remaining hands-on with complex fabrication and pipe welding projects. This role will suit an experienced fabricator who enjoys leading by example, mentoring others and delivering high-quality work to exacting standards. Projects will involve the fabrication and installation of stainless steel hygienic process pipework, steam systems and associated process equipment used within food manufacturing environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Fabrication, assembly and welding of stainless steel pipework and process systems
• MIG and TIG welding of hygienic and steam pipework to coded standards
• Reading and interpreting P&ID drawings, fabrication drawings and technical specifications
• Ensuring all fabrication work is completed to the required quality and compliance standards
• Supervising and coordinating apprentices, workshop operatives and subcontract labour
• Allocating work and resources to support efficient project delivery
• Carrying out inspections and quality checks throughout the fabrication process
• Working closely with project managers, designers and installation teams
• Maintaining a safe, organised and productive workshop environment
• Supporting continuous improvement and driving high standards across the fabrication team

The Ideal Candidate

• Proven experience in stainless steel fabrication and pipe welding
• Strong MIG and TIG welding skills (essential)
• Experience welding hygienic process pipework and steam pipe systems (essential)
• Relevant pipe welding codes and certifications (essential)
• Ability to read and interpret P&ID drawings (essential)
• Strong understanding of fabrication drawings and engineering specifications
• Previous experience leading or supervising workshop teams
• Excellent attention to detail and commitment to quality
• Positive, hands‑on approach with strong problem-solving abilities
• Commitment to health, safety and best working practices

Desirable Qualifications

• IPAF
• Forklift Licence
• Telehandler Licence

Salary & Benefits

£25 per hour

• Weekday and weekend overtime available
• Annual bonus of up to one month’s salary
• Company pension scheme
• 22 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Secure, long-term workload
• Opportunity to join a growing and ambitious business investing heavily in its future