Metal Fabricator/Welder

Massachusetts Water Resources Authority; Norwich (MA); On-site; USD 67,000 - 96,000; Full time

Job summary

Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) seeks skilled metal trades professionals to fabricate, repair, and install metal components for critical plant equipment. You will read blueprints, weld, cut, assemble scaffolding, and perform maintenance to ensure reliable operations.

The role requires hands-on work with power and welding tools, adherence to safety standards, and the ability to train others while supporting a mission-driven public resource.

Qualifications

• High school education or equivalent required.
• 1-year certificate from college/technical school.
• At least 3 years metal trades apprenticeship or related experience.

Responsibilities

• Fabricates and repairs metal parts; welds, cuts, installs metal parts per blueprints.
• Assembles scaffolding and related installations.
• Operates hand, electric, and air-operated tools, and welding equipment.
• Reads blueprints to estimate part sizes and quantities.
• Performs preventive maintenance on pumps, valves, turbines, and related equipment.
• Rigs equipment with cranes/hoists for movement and maintenance.
• Trains peers and maintains safety practices as required.

Skills

Welding & fabrication

Blueprints & schematics

Mechanical maintenance

Math & geometry

Communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

1-year college/technical certificate

3-year metal trades apprenticeship/experience

Tools

Power tools

Welding equipment

Job description

Are you looking to make a meaningful impact on public health and the environment? Join the MWRA team! We deliver some of the nation's highest-quality drinking water to 3 million residents, restored Boston Harbor, and continue to invest in protecting vital public resources. Be part of a mission-driven organization where your work truly makes a difference in a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment.

Summary:

Fabricates and repairs metal parts; welds, cuts and installs metal parts of equipment; lays out sketches and reads blueprints; rigs equipment and performs preventive maintenance on plant equipment.

Posting Period: 09/09/2026 to 09/30/2026
Location: Chelsea, MA
Salary: $67,131.82 - $96,107.45 Annually; $1,291.00 - $1,848.22 Weekly
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:00am - 3:30pm

Key Responsibilities

• Fabricates, cuts, forms, welds, assembles and installs metal parts of equipment in conformance with drawings, plans or instructions through the use of machine, tool, bench or hand work as required.
• Assembles and disassembles scaffolding, staging, flooring and grating.
• Sets-up and operates hand, electric and air-operated tools, hydraulic jacks and hoists using oxyacetylene and electric arc welding equipment for fabrication, repair or alteration to machinery.
• Sketches work to be completed and interprets existing blueprints to estimate size of parts needed.
• Performs preventive maintenance on pumps, generators, valves, turbines, gates and gate assemblies and related equipment.
• Rigs equipment to be moved using cranes and hoists with lift straps and/or chains.
• Evaluates equipment, reports damage and unsafe conditions and recommends maintenance program requirements.
• Performs light maintenance independently or as part of a team. Light maintenance shall include but not limited to:
  • Inspects and troubleshoots various systems and equipment
  • Installs and retrofits/new equipment related to plant systems.
  • Modifies and/or aligns existing equipment to specifications.
  • With proper training sets up ladders, staging and rigging and utilizes hoists, jacks, dollies, lifts, etc. for proper access to job and to remove and install equipment.
  • Operates portable pumping and/or ventilation equipment to prepare a work area for access.
  • Opens hatches.
  • Installs safety rails.
  • Routine testing, lockout/tagout, operation (startup/shutdown) and adjustment of process equipment.
  • Removes snow from immediate work area.
• Promotes and participates in the cross-functional work practices.
• Trains peers and subordinates as requested.
• Performs related duties as required.

Required Qualifications

• A high school education or the equivalent; and
• One (1) year certificate from college or technical school; and
• At least three (3) years metal trades apprenticeship or related experience; or
• An equivalent combination of education or experience.
• A valid Class D Motor Vehicle Operators license.
• Complete productivity improvement competency-based training program related to ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES as outlined above and successfully demonstrates required competencies.
• This position has been designated as essential in instances where the MWRA Executive Director requires essential personnel to report to work such as inclement weather or other emergencies.

Knowledge and Abilities

• Knowledge of the standard practices, materials, tools, occupational hazards and safety practices common to the trade, including safe techniques for assembling and welding staging, rigging and material handling equipment.
• Ability to work from manufacturer's manuals and specifications, blueprints, schematics and verbal instructions to weld and fabricate all kinds of metals.
• Ability to maintain and repair mechanical, electro-mechanical, pneumatic and hydraulic equipment.
• Skill in the operation of welding tools and equipment.
• Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills.
• Basic reading, writing, mathematical, scientific and oral communication skills.

Tools and Equipment Used

Power, hand and welding tools, construction equipment, mobile radio, telephone, personal computers including word processing and other software, copy and fax machine.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms. The employee frequently is required to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee occasionally is required to stand, walk, talk or hear, sit, climb, or balance.
The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance and peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and vibration. The employee occasionally works in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals and risk of electrical shock. The employee occasionally works in extreme bright light or extreme inadequate light conditions, cramped work space that requires getting into awkward positions.
The noise level in the work environment is usually loud in field settings, and moderately quiet in an office setting.

Supervision Received and Exercised

Works under the direct supervision of the Unit Supervisor.
Exercises close supervision of one (1) skilled laborer in the absence of the Unit Supervisor.

Other Position Information

PCR: 5470016
Division: Operations
Department: EQ - General
Union/Grade: NAGE (Unit 3)/Grade 16

Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, sex or gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or veteran status.