Marine Fabrication Manager

Darwin Recruitment; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Darwin Recruitment in Houston, TX, is seeking a seasoned Fabrication Manager to oversee fabrication, CAPEX, repair and modification projects for marine vessels and equipment.

You will lead workshop teams from planning through completion, manage budgets and schedules, ensure safety and quality, and collaborate with CNC operators, welders, engineers, and suppliers to deliver projects on time and to specification.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated leadership experience in fabrication, welding, marine construction, or related environments.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD or comparable CAD software.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Excel and the ability to manage budgets, forecasts, schedules, and financial information.
• Strong welding, fabrication, and metalworking knowledge with understanding of materials, processes, tooling, and equipment.
• Ability to read, interpret, and work from engineering drawings, technical specifications, fabrication drawings, and other project documentation.
• Experience managing fabrication, construction, repair, modification, or capital projects from planning through completion.
• Strong leadership and people-management skills, including supervising and developing workshop personnel.
• Strong organisational, problem-solving, planning, and prioritisation skills for multiple projects and deadlines.
• Ability to communicate effectively with employees, supervisors, engineers, contractors, suppliers, and other stakeholders.
• Dependable, self-motivated, results-focused and compliant with company policies, safety requirements.

Responsibilities

• Develop, manage, and monitor detailed budgets for capital expenditure, fabrication, construction, repair, and modification projects.
• Manage projects from design and development through fabrication, installation, testing, and final completion, ensuring requirements, budgets, and deadlines are achieved.
• Produce and review technical drawings, models, CNC programming, and other project documentation using design/engineering software.
• Collaborate with CNC operators, welders, fabricators, engineers, and other personnel to ensure projects meet specifications.
• Develop, evaluate, and continuously improve fabrication methods, processes, tooling, materials, equipment, assembly techniques, and quality-control procedures.
• Forecast project costs, schedules, resources, and operational requirements, identifying corrective actions when targets are at risk.
• Manage staffing, performance, discipline, training, and development of fabrication/workshop personnel.
• Oversee day-to-day workshop operations, production scheduling, resource allocation, workflow, and prioritisation to maximise efficiency.
• Procure materials, supplies, tools, equipment, and specialist services within budget and safety guidelines.
• Maintain workshop equipment, facilities, tools, and machinery while ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory requirements.

Skills

Leadership

Budget management

CAD software

Excel

Project management

Reading drawings

Communication

Planning

Problem-solving

Supervision

Tools

AutoCAD

Job description

The Fabrication Manager is responsible for overseeing fabrication, capital expenditure (CAPEX), repair, modification, and construction projects involving marine vessels and associated equipment. The role manages projects from initial design and planning through completion while maintaining budgets, schedules, quality standards, and safety requirements. The position provides leadership to fabrication and workshop teams, manages staffing and employee development, oversees workshop equipment and facilities, and works closely with CNC operators, fabricators, engineers, and other stakeholders to deliver projects efficiently and to specification. The Fabrication Manager is also responsible for continuously improving fabrication methods, production efficiency, equipment reliability, and workshop processes while ensuring compliance with applicable safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop, manage, and monitor detailed budgets for capital expenditure, fabrication, construction, repair, and modification projects.
• Manage projects from design and development through fabrication, installation, testing, and final completion, ensuring requirements, budgets, and deadlines are achieved.
• Produce and review technical drawings, models, CNC programming, and other project documentation using appropriate design and engineering software.
• Work closely with CNC operators, welders, fabricators, engineers, and other personnel to ensure projects are completed accurately and in accordance with specifications.
• Develop, evaluate, and continuously improve fabrication methods, processes, tooling, materials, equipment, assembly techniques, and quality-control procedures.
• Forecast project costs, schedules, resources, and operational requirements, identifying and implementing corrective actions when performance, quality, safety, productivity, or financial targets are at risk.
• Manage staffing, performance, discipline, training, and development of fabrication and workshop personnel while maintaining an effective and productive workforce.
• Oversee day-to-day workshop operations, production scheduling, resource allocation, workflow, and prioritisation to maximise efficiency and meet project deadlines.
• Procure materials, supplies, tools, equipment, and specialist services required to complete projects safely, efficiently, and within budget.
• Maintain workshop equipment, facilities, tools, and machinery while promoting compliance with safety, environmental, quality, and regulatory requirements.

Requirements & Qualifications:

• Demonstrable experience in fabrication, welding, marine construction, heavy equipment, industrial manufacturing, or a closely related environment.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD or comparable computer-aided design (CAD) software.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Excel and the ability to manage project budgets, forecasts, schedules, and financial information.
• Strong welding, fabrication, and metalworking knowledge, with an understanding of relevant materials, processes, tooling, and equipment.
• Ability to read, interpret, and work from engineering drawings, technical specifications, fabrication drawings, and other project documentation.
• Experience managing fabrication, construction, repair, modification, or capital projects from planning through completion.
• Strong leadership and people-management skills, including the ability to supervise, motivate, coach, and develop workshop personnel.
• Strong organisational, problem-solving, planning, and prioritisation skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and competing deadlines.
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees, supervisors, engineers, contractors, suppliers, and other stakeholders.
• Dependable, self-motivated, results-focused, and capable of working effectively within established company policies, procedures, quality standards, and safety requirements.