Metal Finisher II

Volvo Group; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 29,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Health benefits

Paid time off

401(k)

Job summary

Volvo Group in Kings Mountain, NC is seeking a skilled Metal Finisher to inspect and repair cab assemblies for surface quality and dimensional accuracy. You will perform welding repairs (GMAW/MIG), dent pulling, and finishing to meet release standards, while documenting findings and escalating issues as needed.

You will work with strict procedures, quality alerts, and team collaboration in a fast-paced BIW environment, ensuring safety and production goals are met.

Qualifications

• Ability to visually identify subtle metal defects under production lighting and confirm findings by touch or approved gauge.
• Ability to safely set up and operate GMAW or MIG welding and stud-welding equipment for controlled repairs.
• Ability to use dent pulling tools and finishing tools without causing secondary damage.
• Ability to evaluate repaired welds for location, size, and quality per standards.
• Ability to read and follow standardized work, drawings, and quality alerts.

Responsibilities

• Inspect cab assemblies for surface, hole, weld, and workmanship defects.
• Perform GMAW/MIG weld repairs per approved procedure.
• Repair dents using stud-welding and pulling tools; blend area flush.
• Document defects and repairs in the traceability system; escalate when needed.
• Maintain tools and work area in a safe, clean condition.

Skills

Visual inspection

GMAW welding

Stud welding

Dimensional judgment

Reading drawings

Education

High school diploma or GED

Trade certification preferred

Tools

GMAW welding equipment

Stud welding tools

Measuring gauges

Job description

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Transport is at the core of modern society. Imagine using your expertise to shape sustainable transport and infrastructure solutions for the future. If you seek to make a difference on a global scale, working with next-gen technologies and the sharpest collaborative teams, then we could be a perfect match.

As a Metal Finisher, you will hold a very important role in the Kings Mountain Operations (KMO) facility. In this role, you will inspect fabricated and welded Mack MRU TerraPro cab assemblies for surface, hole, weld, threaded-feature, fit, and workmanship defects. This is a hands‑on repair position. The role performs approved welding, stud‑weld dent pulling, metal straightening, thread and hardware repair, grinding, blending, and surface finishing; verifies the completed repair; documents findings; and escalates defects that exceed the released repair standard, employee qualification, or Quality and Engineering disposition limits.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Inspect each assigned cab using direct light, reflected light, sight‑line viewing, and hand‑feel techniques to identify defects that may remain visible after paint.
• Detect and repair allowable dents, dings, ripples, waves, oil‑canning, creases, high and low spots, flange distortion, and handling or fixture marks.
• Verify winking holes, access holes, pierced holes, slots, and mounting features for correct location, shape, opening, alignment, and freedom from obstruction.
• Inspect weld nuts, studs, and threaded features for missing hardware, damaged or contaminated threads, cross‑threading, incomplete engagement, loose or spun weld nuts, and incorrect location or orientation; repair threads or remove and replace hardware by an approved method.
• Check visible welds for missed or short welds, cracks, porosity, undercut, burn‑through, blowholes, excessive weld buildup, sharp projections, and weld spatter.
• Check panel, bracket, reinforcement, hem, flange, and joint conditions for alignment, gap, flushness, distortion, interference, or missing components.
• Remove approved burrs, sharp edges, weld spatter, minor surface contamination, adhesive residue, and localized scratches or gouges that can be corrected within the established repair standard.
• Perform approved GMAW or MIG and other assigned weld repairs in accordance with the released weld procedure, specified parameters, and visual acceptance criteria.
• Use stud‑welding dent‑repair equipment to attach pulling studs, pins, or approved pulling media; use a slide hammer, bridge puller, or other approved pulling tool to restore panel contour; then remove the temporary studs and grind or blend the area flush without thinning or damaging the parent metal.
• Straighten and metal‑finish damaged areas using body hammers, dollies, spoons, files, grinders, sanders, and other approved tools while protecting adjacent surfaces and features.
• Repair or replace approved weld nuts, studs, small brackets, and other welded attachments; verify location, orientation, weld quality, and thread function after repair.
• Dress and blend completed weld repairs to the required contour while preserving required weld size, sheet thickness, structural integrity, and corrosion‑protection requirements.
• Re‑inspect repaired areas from multiple angles and confirm that the surface contour, feature function, and workmanship meet the applicable visual standard, drawing, work instruction, or quality alert.
• Identify recurring defect patterns and communicate the cab location, defect type, probable source, and frequency to the Team Leader, Production Supervisor, Quality, and Engineering.
• Record defects and repairs in the designated tracking system or inspection sheet and maintain traceability to the cab when required.
• Support containment, first‑piece checks, layered audits, standardized work updates, and continuous‑improvement activity within the BIW area.
• Maintain tools, lighting, gauges, consumables, and the work area in a safe, clean, and ready condition.

Repair Limits and Escalation

• Use only approved repair methods, specified tools, and authorized consumables.
• Perform only the welding processes and repair operations for which the employee has completed required training and demonstrated qualification.
• Follow the applicable weld procedure and specified wire, shielding gas, machine settings, joint preparation, weld size, sequence, and finishing requirements.
• Do not alter a safety‑critical, structural, datum, locating, or engineered feature unless the Engineering and Quality teams specifically authorize the work.
• Obtain Quality or Engineering direction before nonstandard component replacement, hole relocation, heat application, structural straightening, or any repair that may change cab geometry or design intent.
• Stop work and notify the Team Leader or Production Supervisor when the defect cannot be corrected within takt or standard repair time, recurs on multiple cabs, creates a safety risk, or may affect fit, function, corrosion protection, or regulatory compliance.
• Segregate or identify nonconforming material as required and obtain Quality or Engineering disposition before release when acceptance criteria are unclear.

Required Qualifications (Education, Skills, & Experience)

• Ability to visually identify subtle metal‑surface and assembly defects under production lighting and confirm findings by touch or approved gauge.
• Ability to safely set up and operate assigned GMAW or MIG welding and stud‑welding equipment and produce controlled, repeatable repairs on thin‑gauge cab sheet metal.
• Ability to use stud‑welded dent pullers, slide hammers, bridge pullers, body hammers, dollies, grinders, sanders, and related metal‑finishing tools without creating secondary damage or excessive metal thinning.
• Ability to evaluate repaired welds for location, size, fusion, profile, porosity, cracks, burn‑through, undercut, spatter, and final surface condition.
• Ability to read and follow standardized work, visual acceptance standards, quality alerts, repair instructions, and basic drawings or feature‑location references.
• Ability to distinguish a standard in‑scope weld or metal repair from a condition requiring Quality, Engineering, Maintenance, or specialized repair support.
• Ability to document defects clearly and communicate effectively with Production, Quality, Maintenance, and Engineering.
• Completion of required KMO training and demonstrated qualification for each assigned inspection or repair method.

Preferred Qualifications (if applicable)

Prior experience in Body in White, automotive or heavy‑truck fabrication, thin‑gauge GMAW or MIG welding, stud‑weld dent repair, metal finishing, collision or body repair, dimensional inspection, or manufacturing quality is preferred. Experience repairing weld nuts and studs and using defect standards, gauges, and structured problem‑solving methods is also beneficial.

Physical Requirements

• Regularly required to lift and carry components weighing up to 50 lbs.; team lift or equipment used for heavier items.
• Must be able to safely push, pull, and maneuver parts and materials on the production line as required to perform job responsibilities.
• Regularly required to bend, reach, crouch, and use hand tools.

Work Environment/Conditions

• Regular exposure to loud noise, moving mechanical parts, and occasional exposure to fumes, dust, or extreme temperatures.
• Exposure to sheet metal, welding operations, and airborne particles.
• Frequent standing, walking, bending, stooping, climbing, and reaching.
• Schedule may include early morning, evening, or weekend shifts based on production needs. Overtime may be required during high volume periods.
• May be designated as essential personnel during plant operational disruptions, planned shutdowns, or emergencies.

At the Volvo Group, we strive for a clear, transparent, and straightforward compensation approach, motivating you to contribute to the company’s growth. For this position, the base pay is set at $21.24 - $26.24/ hour, and where applicable, bonus eligible. The range for this role, as well as final salary offered, is determined by several factors including, but not limited to, geographic location, work‑related knowledge, certifications, skills, education, and experience. In addition to these factors, we believe in the importance of pay equity and consider internal equity of our current team members as part of any final offer.

In addition to a solid package of compensation and benefits, plus you will enjoy:

• Competitive medical, dental and vision insurance.
• Generous paid time off.
• Competitive matching retirement savings plans.
• Working environment where your safety, health and wellbeing come first.
• Focus on professional and personal development through Volvo Group University.
• Programs that make today’s challenging reality of combining work and personal life easier.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

We value your data privacy and therefore do not accept applications via mail.

Who we are and what we believe in

We are committed to shaping the future landscape of efficient, safe, and sustainable transport solutions. Fulfilling our mission creates countless career opportunities for talents across the group’s leading brands and entities.

Trucks Technology & Industrial Division

Hire team players who are ready to create real customer impact. Our decentralized teams work close to our customers, with speed and autonomy, to build what they truly need.
Join us to collaborate on innovative, sustainable technologies that redefine how we design, build, and deliver value. Bring your curiosity, your expertise, and your collaborative energy, and together, we’ll turn bold ideas into tangible solutions for our customers and contribute to a more sustainable tomorrow.

Job Category: Production

Organization: Trucks Technology & Industrial

Every day, Volvo Group products and services ensure that people have food on the table, children arrive safely at school and roads and buildings can be constructed. Looking ahead,we are committed to driving the transition to sustainable and safe transport, mobility and infrastructure solutions toward a net-zero society.

Joining Volvo Group, you will work with some of the world’s most iconic brands and be part of a global and leading industrial company that is harnessing automated driving, electromobility and connectivity.

Our people are passionate about what they do, they aim for high performance and thrive on teamwork and learning. Everyday life at Volvo is defined by a climate of support, care and mutual respect.

If you aspire to grow and make an impact, join us on our journey to create a better and more resilient society for the coming generations.