Fitter Trainee

MICA Steelworks; Haltom City (TX); On-site; USD 25,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

MICA Steelworks in Haltom City, TX is seeking a Fitter Trainee to lay out, fabricate, fit, and join tapered tubular steel structures from blueprints. You will work under a Production Supervisor and progress through a certification ladder while achieving UT-passable welds.

The role requires reading a tape measure, shop math, and a proactive, team-oriented attitude. Shifts are 1st/2nd with overtime; temporary pay raises occur as you certify through levels.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability to read a tape measure to 1/16" and perform shop math (fractions, decimals, basic geometry).
• Ability to pass the MICA NewHire Fitter Assessment (tape measure & shop math, blueprint & weld symbols, practical fitup).
• Ability to work 1st or 2nd shift and overtime as needed; reliable attendance.
• Ability to work in a shop environment with seasonal temperature extremes.
• Positive attitude, willingness to learn, and ability to work in a team environment.
• Successfully pass background check (including criminal history), drug screen, physical, audiogram, and vision test.

Responsibilities

• Perform fitting and joining, fabricating, and repairing of metal and other weldable material to blueprint specification, producing fitups consistent with UTpassable welds.
• Perform setups, including laying out work using jigs/fixtures or hand layouts, to fabricate parts and/or rework finished products.
• Locate long seams and number pole shafts correctly; check twist and camber against acceptance criteria before continuing layout.
• Trim pole shafts square, find true centers, and pop chalk lines for true centers.
• Lay out and fit base plates, flange plates, vangs, brackets, through plates, ground sleeves, and other attached parts.
• Fabricate multicomponent parts and verify conformance using tape measure, squares, levels, and templates.
• Operate overhead and jib cranes, hoists, slings, grinders, cutting torches, and hand/power tools safely.
• Maintain equipment functionality; notify management/maintenance of needed repairs.
• Crosstrain and perform work of other job tasks in addition to the primary assigned position.
• Manage time and work efficiently to production standards; maintain housekeeping (5S) in the work area.
• Perform other tasks as required.

Skills

Tape measure reading

Shop math

Reading blueprints

Teamwork

Reliability

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Overhead cranes

Jigs/fixtures

Hand/power tools

Job description

WHY THIS JOB

MICA Steelworks builds the steel structures that keep the grid running, tapered tubular transmission poles, substation A-frames, high-mast and highway sign structures fabricated in North Texas and shipped across the country. Fitters are the craftsmen at the center of that work: you lay out, position, and fit the steel that our welders finish, and the quality of your fit-up decides whether every weld passes ultrasonic (UT) inspection. You do NOT need pole experience to start here. If you can read a tape measure, think through a drawing, and want to build a skilled trade career, our Fitter Trainee pathway and dedicated Fitter Trainer will teach you tapered tubular pole fit-up from the ground up, and our classification ladder gives you a defined raise at every level you certify into.

Job Summary

Under the direction of the Production Supervisor, the Fitter Trainee lays out, fabricates, fits, and joins metal and other weldable materials for tapered tubular steel structures. Fitters lay out and assemble subunits or units of material that welders then weld into position and are responsible for ensuring every product is fitted to job specifications and to requirements consistent with production of quality, UT-passable welds. Fitters specialize in transmission power poles, substation A-frames, high-mast poles, highway sign poles, and other tubular structures, and work directly from blueprints.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Perform fitting and joining, fabricating, and repairing of metal and other weldable material to blueprint specification, producing fitups consistent with UTpassable welds.
• Perform setups, including laying out work using jigs/fixtures or hand layouts, to fabricate parts and/or rework finished products.
• Locate long seams and number pole shafts correctly; check twist and camber against acceptance criteria before continuing layout.
• Trim pole shafts square, find true centers, and pop chalk lines for true centers.
• Lay out and fit base plates, flange plates, vangs, brackets, through plates, ground sleeves, and other attached parts.
• Fabricate multicomponent parts and verify conformance using tape measure, squares, levels, and templates.
• Operate overhead and jib cranes, hoists, slings, grinders, cutting torches, and hand/power tools safely.
• Maintain equipment functionality; notify management/maintenance of needed repairs.
• Crosstrain and perform work of other job tasks in addition to the primary assigned position.
• Manage time and work efficiently to production standards; maintain housekeeping (5S) in the work area.
• Perform other tasks as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS ( ALL LEVELS)

• High School Diploma or GED, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability to read a tape measure to 1/16\" and perform shop math (fractions, decimals, basic geometry).
• Ability to pass the MICA NewHire Fitter Assessment (tape measure & shop math, blueprint & weld symbols, practical fitup).
• Ability to work 1st or 2nd shift and overtime as needed; reliable attendance.
• Ability to work in a shop environment with seasonal temperature extremes.
• Positive attitude, willingness to learn, and ability to work in a team environment.
• Successfully pass background check (including criminal history), drug screen, physical, audiogram, and vision test.

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS BY LEVEL

• D Fitter (Fitter Trainee) (direct hire temporary position): blueprint and weldsymbol literacy; Ability to read a tape measure and geometry and other mathematical skills (or certify within 30 90 days).
• C Fitter (direct hire): 1+ year of fitting/fabrication experience in structural steel, tubular products, shipfitting, pipe fitting, or comparable metal trade; blueprint and weldsymbol literacy; overhead/jib crane experience (or certify within [30] days).
• B Fitter (direct hire): 3+ years of fitting experience with demonstrated multiproduct capability; passes the Blevel practical at hire.
• A Fitter (direct hire): 5+ years of fitting experience; tapered tubular pole experience strongly preferred; passes the Alevel practical at hire.
• Preferred at any level: tapered tubular pole, transmission/substation structure, or heavy structural fabrication experience; knowledge of welding equipment (torches, torch tips); forklift experience; bilingual English/Spanish.

MEASURE OF PERFORMANCE

• Certification status maintained for level; firstpass fitup quality ≥ [95]% (QCverified).
• Production/takt standards met as determined by the Production Supervisor.
• Follow all MICA Steelworks safety programs and policies; zero preventable safety incidents.
• Practice good housekeeping (keep area clean/organized).
• Demonstrate teamwork and willingness to crosstrain.

SCHEDULE & COMPENSATION

• 1st shift: MondayFriday, 5:00 AM3:30 PM, with Saturday as needed.
• Expected hours: 4055 per week; overtime paid per policy.
• Pay is set by the classification matrix below (preliminary draft, per Finance); certification raises are effective the pay period after signoff.

CLASSIFICATION LADDER & PAY

MICA classifies fitters into four levels. Every level has published certification requirements (written + practical + quality audit) and its own pay band. You are never capped: certify at the next level and the raise follows within one pay period. Experienced fitters may test directly into C, B, or A at hire.

LEVEL SCOPE OF WORK CERTIFICATION GATE PAY (HALTOM CITY)

Fitter Trainee Structured 90-day program under the Fitter Trainer. Learns drawings, seam location and numbering, twist/camber checks, shaft trimming and squaring, true centers, base/flange plate and ground sleeve layout. Hired via aptitude track of the New-Hire Assessment. Must pass C Certification by day 90 (one 30-day extension permitted). $22.00 - 1st shift

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Fulltime shop exposure; extreme temperatures (sometimes due to season).
• No travel requirements (occasional travel between company plants may be offered).
• Perform work standing for 810 hours per day, up to 6 days a week.
• Good vision, hearing, smell, and balance.
• Frequently lift and/or move up to 40 lbs; occasionally up to 50 lbs.
• Stand, bend, stoop, squat, or kneel regularly; climb stairs and ladders.
• Wear OSHArequired PPE at all times, including OSHAapproved welding hood if welding.