Lead Welder - Heavy Fabrication & Team Mentorship

Standard Iron & Metal Co.; Sauk Centre (MN); On-site; USD 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

401(k) with employer match

Profit sharing

Job summary

Standard Iron is seeking a Welder Lead to coordinate shop floor activities, mentor welders, and ensure fabricated components meet customer specifications and industry standards. The role requires strong welding expertise and leadership to drive efficient workflow and quality in a fabrication setting.

The successful candidate will lead welding operations on heavy plate steel, read complex drawings, and collaborate with fitters, fabricators, and engineers to meet delivery schedules and safety

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Welding certification or trade school training preferred.
• 5 years of heavy welding experience in a metal fabrication or structural steel environment.
• 2 years of leadership or lead welder experience strongly preferred.
• Ability to read and interpret detailed shop drawings and blueprints.

Responsibilities

• Perform advanced welding on heavy plate steel, structural components, and custom fabrication projects.
• Lead day-to-day welding operations within a fabrication shop, assigning tasks and ensuring workflow efficiency.
• Interpret complex blueprints, fabrication drawings, weld symbols, and bills of materials (BOMs).
• Coordinate with fitters, fabricators, and machine operators to ensure proper assembly and welding sequence.
• Inspect welds and assemblies for dimensional accuracy, penetration, and compliance.
• Ensure proper joint preparation, fit-up, and alignment prior to welding.
• Monitor production timelines and adjust manpower or priorities to meet delivery schedules.
• Train and mentor welders on techniques, safety practices, and quality standards.
• Troubleshoot fabrication and welding challenges, including distortion, material issues, and equipment malfunctions.
• Enforce strict adherence to shop safety protocols, including PPE, ventilation, and confined space procedures.
• Oversee maintenance and setup of welding machines, torches, fixtures, and positioners.
• Support continuous improvement efforts such as reducing rework, improving weld efficiency, and lean fabrication practices.
• Communicate effectively with shop supervisors, engineering, and quality control teams.

Skills

Heavy welding

Leadership

Education

High school diploma / GED

Job description

Standard Iron is seeking a Welder Lead to coordinate shop floor activities, mentor welders, and ensure fabricated components meet customer specifications and industry standards. The role requires strong welding expertise and leadership to drive efficient workflow and quality in a fabrication setting.

The successful candidate will lead welding operations on heavy plate steel, read complex drawings, and collaborate with fitters, fabricators, and engineers to meet delivery schedules and safety