Lead Fabricator (2026-28234)

Framatome; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Framatome Ltd in Avonmouth seeks a Lead Fabricator to oversee high-integrity stainless and carbon steel fabrication within a regulated nuclear environment. You will guide welding, ensure traceability, and lead a team of fabricators to meet safety, quality and production targets.

The role requires Level 3 NVQ or equivalent, strong leadership, and the ability to read complex drawings and welding maps. You will champion safe practices and continuous improvement in a busy workshop.

Qualifications

• Level 3 NVQ or equivalent is essential.
• Ability to read, understand and interpret engineering drawings, weld maps and manufacturing documentation.
• Experience in high-integrity fabrication in regulated environments (nuclear/defence/aerospace) is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate daily fabrication activities on the Avonmouth shop floor.
• Provide technical guidance on welding methods and workmanship standards.
• Ensure material traceability and accurate workshop documentation.
• Mentor and develop welders, sharing best practices and enabling skill progression.
• Drive continuous improvement in fabrication processes, quality and productivity.
• Maintain safe, clean workshop practices and support 5S/Lean initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Welding methods

Reading drawings

Dimensional control

Problem solving

Team coordination

Communication

Education

Level 3 NVQ or equivalent

Job description

* Lead FabricatorWe are currently seeking a **Lead Fabricator** to join our team in **Avonmouth** to support with the safe and effective delivery of manufacturing scopes of work through high-integrity fabrication/welding and associated workshop activities, while providing day-to-day technical guidance, coordination and support to Fabricators and wider workshop personnel to ensure business needs, quality standards and production objectives are achieved.* Support the coordination of daily fabrication activities in line with workshop schedules and production priorities as directed by the Supervisor / Management for the assigned fabrication team.* Technically support Fabricators within own team in relation to welding methods, sequencing, workmanship standards and high welding standard practice.* Carry out fabrication of high-integrity Stainless Steel fabrications within the nuclear sector in accordance with specifications, drawings and acceptance criteria as stated in ISO 5817.* Promote and maintain a safe and healthy work environment by following standards and procedures and complying with legal and site-specific regulations.* Attend and actively contribute to Daily Activity Briefs, ensuring daily risks, priorities, constraints and activities are clearly understood by the fabrication team.* Monitor fabrication activities on the shop floor to ensure compliance with approved procedures, quality requirements and traceability controls.* Provide practical support in the continuous development and improvement of fabrication and welding processes, procedures and workshop practices.* Review fabrication performance, identify trends and drive improvements in quality, productivity, standardisation and right-first-time delivery.* Assist with the training, mentoring and development of welders, including sharing best practice and supporting skill progression.* Support the resolution of fabrication-related issues, including identifying defects, contributing to root cause discussions and helping implement corrective actions.* Provide input into internal NCRs, observations, quality investigations and improvement actions when requested.* Work closely with other workshop staff including Fabricators, General Operatives, Storeman, Welding Inspectors, Quality personnel and Production leadership to ensure efficient workflow and effective communication.* Support the maintenance of high housekeeping standards and contribute to 5S / Lean initiatives within the workshop.* Escalate safety, quality, technical or delivery concerns promptly to the Supervisor / Manager.* Champion high standards of housekeeping, 5S and Lean culture across fabrication areas.* Nuclear Safety.* 5S / Lean Culture.* Weld defect understanding and development.* Leadership / team coordination development.* Coaching and mentoring skills.* Quality and compliance awareness relevant to nuclear manufacturing.* Other personal development opportunities (e.g. NVQ, CSWIP where relevant, supervisory/management development, advanced fabrication or inspection-related qualifications).* Extensive proven knowledge and experience in fabrication of Stainless Steel and, where applicable, Carbon Steel components and assemblies within a regulated or high-specification environment (essential).* Level 3 NVQ or equivalent (essential).* Strong technical authority in fabrication methods, fit-up standards, dimensional control, material preparation and workmanship expectations.* Demonstrate experience in reading, understanding and interpreting engineering drawings, weld maps, specifications and manufacturing documentation.* Significant experience of working to controlled processes, procedures and specifications, ideally within nuclear, defence, aerospace, pressure systems or similarly regulated sectors* Strong commitment to safety, quality assurance, regulatory compliance and nuclear safety culture.* Proven ability to lead, coordinate and develop fabrication personnel in a workshop/manufacturing environment.* Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence across production, quality and engineering functions.* Experience supporting non-conformance investigations, quality improvement and root cause analysis.* Questioning attitude and confidence to challenge unsafe, unclear or non-compliant practices.* Excellent attention to detail and a strong focus on quality, traceability, dimensional accuracy and documentation accuracy.* Proactive, organised and capable of balancing hands-on technical involvement with leadership responsibilities.* Logical thinker with strong problem-solving and decision-making capability.* Relevant fabrication, inspection or supervisory qualifications would be advantageous.* Ensure fabrication activities are completed safely, efficiently and in accordance with workshop schedule and production requirements.* Ensure fabrication workmanship consistently meets Framatome Ltd standards and client/customer acceptance criteria.* Provide day-to-day fabrication support and guidance provided to the workshop team to promote right-first-time manufacture.* Ensure material traceability maintained throughout manufacturing processes.* Ensure workshop documentation assigned to own fabrication team is completed accurately and in a timely manner.* Timely identification and communication of fabrication-related risks, defects, non-conformances and improvement opportunities.* Positive contribution to team capability, process improvement and workshop pe**Level of education (all)** Technical Certificate / Diploma**Place:** United Kingdom, Bristol, Avonmouth**Employment level:** Non cadre