Fabrication Team Lead

Keel; Meggett (SC); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive Benefit Package

Competitive Pay

401(k) Match

HSA/FSA

Paid Holidays

Paid Time Off

Shift Differentials

Overtime Potential

Paid on the Job Training

Certification Sponsorship

Job summary

Keel, a leader in steel fabrication, shipbuilding, aerospace, and defense manufacturing, seeks a Fabrication Team Lead. You will oversee daily welding and fabrication, ensure safety and quality, and mentor team members while enforcing policies.

Responsibilities include planning jobs from blueprints, setting up equipment, performing advanced welding (FCAW, GMAW, SMAW), inspecting work, and communicating production issues to management. Occasional travel between plants may be required.

Qualifications

• Advanced welding proficiency across FCAW, GMAW, SMAW
• Strong blueprint reading and interpretation
• Experience in fabrication and metal properties
• Ability to analyze work orders and plan job sequences
• Leadership and mentoring skills

Responsibilities

• Review work orders and blueprints to understand job requirements
• Plan and organize daily tasks to maximize efficiency and meet production deadlines
• Set up welding and fabrication equipment based on job specifications
• Perform advanced welding and oversee team members in welding, fabrication, and assembly
• Inspect work in progress and completed products to ensure quality standards
• Troubleshoot issues and determine proper repair methods, materials, and equipment
• Monitor employee productivity and provide coaching or mentoring as needed
• Communicate performance or operational concerns to Supervisor/Management
• Enforce company policies, safety regulations, and quality procedures
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the Supervisor

Skills

Leadership

Blueprint reading

Welding proficiency

Planning

Team mentoring

Safety

Communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Shop cranes

Forklifts

Cutting torch

Job description

Keel was formed by bringing together three industry leaders combining generations of hands‑on expertise in steel fabrication, shipbuilding, aerospace, and defense manufacturing.

That means when you join Keel, you’re joining a team backed by decades of proven craftsmanship and real‑world results.

We build ships, defense systems, aerospace components, and heavy steel structures that serve critical missions — and we do it with pride.

Your Mission:

The Fabrication Team Lead assists the Supervisor by overseeing daily welding and fabrication activities, ensuring work is completed safely, efficiently, and to quality standards. This role requires strong leadership, communication, and advanced welding and blueprint‑reading skills. Responsibilities include planning and executing jobs, inspecting work, mentoring employees, and enforcing company policies. The Lead uses independent judgment in selecting methods, materials, and equipment, and communicates any workforce or production issues to management.

Explore the Depth of the Role:

• Review work orders and blueprints to understand job requirements, materials, and sequence of operations
• Plan and organize daily tasks to maximize efficiency and meet production deadlines
• Set up welding and fabrication equipment based on job specifications
• Perform advanced welding using FCAW, GMAW, SMAW, and other methods as needed
• Assemble, tack, bolt, and secure parts in preparation for welding
• Oversee and guide team members in welding, fabrication, and assembly activities
• Inspect work in progress and completed products to ensure quality standards are met
• Troubleshoot issues and determine proper repair methods, materials, and equipment
• Operate shop equipment such as cranes and forklifts safely
• Repair or rework parts by cutting, reshaping, and reassembling components when necessary
• Monitor employee productivity and provide coaching or mentoring as needed
• Communicate any performance or operational concerns to Supervisor/Management
• Enforce company policies, safety regulations, and quality procedures
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the Supervisor

Requirements

Mission Readiness:

• Advanced welding proficiency (FCAW, GMAW, SMAW, arc and gas welding)
• Strong blueprint reading and interpretation
• Knowledge of fabrication, structural assembly, and metal properties
• Ability to analyze work orders and plan job sequences
• Equipment operation (welders, cutting torch, shop cranes, forklifts)
• Inspection and quality control of work in progress and finished products
• Repair and rework techniques
• May require a high school diploma or its equivalent with at least 5 years of experience in the field or in a related area.

Travel Requirements:

• Occasional travel between plants as required.

Physical Requirements:

• May be required to stand, walk, sit, reach/pull/push with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop or kneel regularly.
• May lift or carry 50lbs. Weights exceeding 50lbs will require mechanical means to maneuver.

Become a part of our Builders and you too can...

• Uphold Safety and Quality Standards
• Embody Team Spirit
• Relentless Customer Focus
• Convey Integrity, Trust, and Professionalism
• Execute with Excellence and Velocity

What Keel will build for you:

• Comprehensive Benefit Package
• Competitive Pay
• 401(k) Match
• HSA/FSA
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Time Off
• Internal Referral Bonus Opportunities
• Shift Differentials
• Overtime Potential
• Paid on the Job Training
• Certification Sponsorship Opportunities
• Committed to Individual Career Growth
• We Do Fun Things, Plus More!

Need Assistance?

If you require a reasonable accommodation at any stage of the employment process, please email [e-mail] with details about your request and your contact information. Accommodation requests are reviewed individually on a case‑by‑case basis. Please note that this email address is monitored only for inquiries related to reasonable accommodation requests.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Individuals with Disabilities / Protected Veterans

What we build, builds us.