Fabrication Production Associate | 1st Shift

Viking Group, Inc.; Carol Stream (IL); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Viking Group, Inc. is seeking motivated individuals for a hands-on Fabrication Production Associate role in our Illinois fabrication shop.

You’ll support pipe fabrication, machine operation, welding, robotics, and material handling, with on-the-job training provided for equipment and safety procedures. This role is ideal for candidates with manufacturing, warehouse, or general labor backgrounds seeking growth in a fast-paced shop environment.

Qualifications

• Hands-on production role in fabrication/manufacturing environments.
• Previous fabrication experience is helpful but not required.

Responsibilities

• Operate fabrication and production equipment (plasma cutting, cold saws, threading, grooving, grinders, semi-automatic equipment).
• Support fabrication, production, welding, machine operation, robotics, and material handling across the shop.
• Cut, groove, thread, grind and prepare steel pipe to specs and production needs.
• Read work orders and paperwork to ensure accuracy and quality.
• Visually inspect materials, welds, and finished products for defects and compliance.
• Load/unload/move materials and finished products; assist with shipment prep.
• Operate forklifts, pallet jacks, cranes, and other handling equipment as assigned.
• Maintain a clean, safe fabrication environment and follow SOPs.

Job description

Position Summary

Viking is seeking motivated individuals interested in working in a fabrication, manufacturing, mechanical, or production environment. We operate a fast-paced fabrication shop supporting steel pipe fabrication, welding, machine operation, robotics, and material handling operations. The Fabrication Production Associate position is a hands‑on production role responsible for supporting fabrication activities including machine operation, pipe preparation, material movement, welding support, quality inspection, and general shop operations. Depending on operational needs, employees may support fabrication, production, machine operation, welding, robotics, shipping preparation, or other manufacturing functions throughout the facility. This role is ideal for candidates with backgrounds in manufacturing, warehouse, machine operation, construction, welding, mechanical trades, or general labor. Previous fabrication experience is helpful but not required. Viking provides on‑the‑job training for fabrication equipment, welding support functions, robotics, production processes, quality standards, and safety procedures.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Operate fabrication and production equipment including plasma cutting machines, cold saws, threading machines, grooving machines, grinders, and semi‑automatic fabrication equipment.
• Support fabrication, production, welding, machine operation, robotics, and material handling activities throughout the fabrication shop.
• Cut, groove, thread, grind, and prepare steel pipe and materials to customer specifications and production requirements.
• Assist with machine operation involving plasma cutting, outlet placement, welding support, and automated fabrication processes.
• Read and interpret work orders, production paperwork, measurements, specifications, and tape measures to ensure production accuracy and quality standards are met.
• Visually inspect fabricated materials, welds, and finished products for defects, dimensional accuracy, and quality compliance.
• Perform grinding, deburring, cleanup, finishing work, and general fabrication support activities.
• Load, unload, stage, organize, and move steel pipe, fittings, and raw materials throughout the production process.
• Bundle, band, label, and prepare finished products for shipment.
• Operate forklifts, pallet jacks, CombiLift equipment, overhead cranes, and other material handling equipment as assigned.
• Troubleshoot minor production or machine issues and communicate equipment or quality concerns to leadership.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe fabrication and production environment.
• Follow all company safety procedures, PPE requirements, lockout/tagout procedures, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Complete required operational, safety, and production training while demonstrating acceptable competency and performance standards.
• Support additional operational and production needs as assigned by Fabrication Leadership or Branch Operations Management.