Vessel Fabrication Shop Lead — Hands-on, Safety-Driven

Smithindustriestx; Texas; On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

Vision insurance

401(k)

401(k) matching

Job summary

Smith Industries in West Texas leads oil and gas equipment fabrication. The Vessel Shop Fabrication Foreman oversees daily vessel production, assigns crews, and ensures safety, quality, and on-time progress.

This hands-on leadership role coordinates with Engineering, Quality, and Materials to meet drawings and API/ASME standards. Applicants should have 5+ years in vessel fabrication with a lead role, strong communication, and ability to read drawings and weld maps.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required or relevant work experience.
• Five years of vessel fabrication experience with at least two years in a lead/supervisory role.
• Experience supervising vessel fit-up, assembly, and welding in a production setting.
• Ability to read fabrication drawings, weld symbols, BOMs, and work instructions.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily work by work order, crew skill, material availability, and priorities.
• Verify availability of drawings, material, weld maps, and CNC files before starting.
• Oversee vessel fit-up, shell/head assembly, nozzle orientation, internals, and dimensional checks.
• Ensure welders have required qualifications and follow procedures; coordinate training needs.
• Enforce safety, conduct crew safety meetings, maintain PPE, stop work when unsafe.
• Inspect tools/equipment and coordinate maintenance and repairs.
• Ensure readiness for inspection and observable hold points with Quality.
• Maintain material traceability and coordinate material staging and transfers.
• Track labor hours, review timesheets, and approve overtime within limits.
• Report production status and variances; implement recovery actions.
• Coach employees in fabrication methods and work instructions.

Skills

Leadership

Supervisory

Reading drawings

Quality control

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Timekeeping systems

Production tracking

Digital work orders

Job description

Smith Industries in West Texas leads oil and gas equipment fabrication. The Vessel Shop Fabrication Foreman oversees daily vessel production, assigns crews, and ensures safety, quality, and on-time progress.

This hands-on leadership role coordinates with Engineering, Quality, and Materials to meet drawings and API/ASME standards. Applicants should have 5+ years in vessel fabrication with a lead role, strong communication, and ability to read drawings and weld maps.