Base Fabrication Lead- 1st Shift

Panelmatic-Inc.-1; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision

HSA

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

401(k) Matching

Education Reimbursement

Paid Leave

Career Growth

Competitive Wages

Family-friendly Culture

Job summary

Panelmatic, Inc. is seeking an experienced Base Fabrication Lead to support daily fitting and welding operations within the Base Fabrication department.

The Lead will coordinate activities, assign work, monitor progress, and ensure components meet quality and dimensional requirements. The ideal candidate has strong hands-on metal fabrication and welding experience, reads blueprints, and demonstrates leadership.

Qualifications

• 3+ years in metal fabrication, fitting, welding, or related manufacturing.
• Experience in a lead, senior fabricator, welder, or similar role preferred.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, fabrication drawings, weld symbols, and schematics.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate daily fitting and welding activities in Base Fabrication.
• Direct and support fitter/welder fabricators on the shop floor.
• Assign work based on skill, project needs, and priorities.
• Monitor progress and communicate status to supervisor.
• Read blueprints and ensure correct fit-up and weld quality.
• Inspect finished parts for dimensional accuracy and workmanship.

Skills

Metal fabrication

Welding

Blueprint reading

Leadership

Team mentoring

Quality inspection

Education

High school diploma or GED

AWS D1.1 welding cert. preferred

Tools

Welders

Plasma cutter

Saws

Grinders

Drills

Job description

About Us:
Panelmatic, Inc. was founded in 1957 in Youngstown, OH to serve manufacturing industries with the design and build of custom electrical, instrument, and pneumatic control panels. Our business has sufficiently grown over the years to support expansion for our clients. We have produced control packages for many of America's top corporations in the chemical, environmental, food, pulp and paper, rubber, petroleum, pharmaceutical, glass, metals, and utilities industries. We also deliver equipment for use worldwide. Our rigorous methodology assures compliance with domestic and international standards. We can meet the needs of our diverse clientele from start to finish through sales, design, fabrication, testing, and delivery.

Since 1957, we have been known for our high-quality, custom-built control packages, our comprehensive service, and our technological and manufacturing expertise. This expertise assures you of our ability to handle the largest and most complex packages quickly and efficiently.

Job Summary
Panelmatic Inc. is seeking an experienced and hands-on Base Fabrication Lead to support daily fitting and welding operations within the Base Fabrication department. The Base Fabrication Lead will work closely with the Fabrication Supervisor to coordinate daily activities, assign work, monitor production progress, and ensure fabricated components meet quality and dimensional requirements.

The ideal candidate has strong hands-on experience in metal fabrication and welding, the ability to read and interpret blueprints, and demonstrated leadership skills. This position serves as a working lead and is expected to actively participate in fabrication and welding activities while providing guidance and support to team members.

Job Duties

• Assist the Fabrication Supervisor with coordinating daily fitting and welding activities within the Base Fabrication department.
• Provide day‑to‑day direction, guidance, and support to fitter/welder fabricators.
• Assign work based on employee skill levels, project requirements, and production priorities.
• Monitor employee progress and communicate production status, concerns, and delays to the Fabrication Supervisor.
• Work hands‑on with the team to fit, weld, cut, grind, drill, and assemble fabricated components.
• Read and interpret blueprints, fabrication drawings, weld symbols, and other technical documents.
• Ensure fabricated components are assembled accurately and meet required dimensions and specifications.
• Verify proper material, measurements, fit‑up, weld placement, and overall workmanship throughout the fabrication process.
• Assist team members with difficult fabrication, fitting, and welding tasks.
• Inspect completed work and identify defects, dimensional issues, or other quality concerns.
• Communicate fabrication issues and recommend solutions to the Fabrication Supervisor.
• Assist with troubleshooting production problems and minimizing rework, material waste, and downtime.
• Help ensure employees follow established safety procedures, company policies, and proper equipment operating practices.
• Promote a safe, clean, and organized work environment.
• Assist with training and mentoring new and less‑experienced fabrication employees.
• Help monitor production schedules and ensure work is completed according to established deadlines.
• Coordinate with other departments as needed to support production requirements.
• Assist with maintaining proper tools, equipment, and materials needed for daily fabrication operations.
• Ensure fabrication equipment is properly operated and report maintenance or equipment issues to the appropriate supervisor.
• Support continuous improvement efforts to improve productivity, quality, safety, and efficiency.
• Maintain accurate production and work‑related records as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• 3+ years of experience in metal fabrication, fitting, welding, or a closely related manufacturing environment.
• Previous experience as a Lead, Senior Fabricator, Welder, Fitter, or similar leadership role preferred.
• Strong hands‑on knowledge of metal fabrication and welding processes.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, fabrication drawings, weld symbols, and schematics.
• Experience with structural steel, sheet metal, and other metal materials.
• Proficiency operating common fabrication equipment, including welders, plasma cutters, saws, grinders, drills, and related machinery.
• Knowledge of MIG/GMAW, TIG/GTAW, and/or SMAW welding processes preferred.
• Ability to accurately measure and inspect fabricated components using tape measures, squares, levels, calipers, and other measuring tools.
• Strong understanding of proper fit‑up, weld quality, dimensions, and fabrication tolerances.
• Ability to provide direction and guidance to other employees while maintaining a positive and productive work environment.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to identify and resolve fabrication and production issues.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality workmanship.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and work effectively in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of workplace safety practices and OSHA standards.
• Basic computer skills preferred.
• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Welding certifications, such as AWS D1.1, are preferred but not required.
• Ability to work overtime and adjust schedules based on production demands.

• Medical, dental, vision, HSA, term life, AD&D, STD, LTD
• 100% medical premium paid by Panelmatic for employee‑only coverage
• 80% Panelmatic‑paid / 20% employee‑paid dependent coverage
• 401(k) contributions matched 100% up to 4%
• Scholarships, educational reimbursement, paid volunteerism, and professional development
• PTO and paid holidays
• Career advancement opportunities
• Competitive wages
• Family‑friendly environment with average employee tenure above five years