Metal Fitter / Fabricator

Location: Ruston, Louisiana
Shift: Swing Shift, 3:30 PM–2:00 AM
Pay: Competitive pay; swing-shift differential available

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Nationwide Skilled Trades connects skilled professionals with opportunities across the industrial, manufacturing, and fabrication industries. We are seeking an experienced Metal Fitter / Fabricator for a manufacturing opportunity focused on precision layout, component fitting, tack welding, and assembly.

The ideal candidate has strong blueprint-reading and measurement skills, understands weld symbols and fabrication specifications, and can accurately fit and align metal components to meet production and quality requirements.

Unlike a position focused primarily on welding, this role emphasizes preparing, measuring, positioning, and assembling components before and during the welding process. If you take pride in precision, craftsmanship, and producing quality work, we encourage you to apply!

Key Responsibilities

• Read and interpret blueprints, weld symbols, engineering drawings, and fabrication specifications.
• Measure, lay out, fit, align, position, and secure metal components and assemblies.
• Perform tack welding and welding using GMAW (MIG), SMAW (Stick), and FCAW (Flux Core) processes as required.
• Verify dimensions, alignment, fit-up, and workmanship through initial quality inspections.
• Operate fabrication equipment, including saws, shears, punch presses, and plasma-cutting tools.
• Use oxy-fuel and hand plasma cutting equipment to prepare materials.
• Safely operate jib cranes and overhead cranes to move and position assembled components.
• Select appropriate tools, materials, and fitting methods to complete assignments accurately and efficiently.
• Assist helpers and provide task-level guidance to less-experienced employees.
• Identify potential improvements in safety, quality, workflow, and material efficiency.
• Follow company policies, established safety procedures, and applicable ANDRITZ Life-Saving Rules.
• Maintain an organized work area and support production schedules and quality standards.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• At least 3 years of experience in welding, metal fabrication, and fitting.
• Experience in production or manufacturing environments; sheet metal fabrication experience is preferred.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, weld symbols, and fabrication drawings.
• Strong measurement and mathematical skills, including basic geometry and trigonometry.
• Working knowledge of oxy-fuel and hand plasma cutting.
• Ability to perform tack welding and understand common welding processes.
• Ability to safely operate fabrication tools and equipment.
• Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and problem-solving abilities.
• Effective communication skills and the ability to work well with a production team.
• Commitment to workplace safety, quality workmanship, and production efficiency.

Decision-Making & Teamwork

• Make routine decisions regarding layout, fitting, tack welding, tool selection, and fabrication methods.
• Provide guidance and assistance to less-experienced employees as needed.
• Recognize when technical questions, unclear specifications, or safety concerns need to be escalated to a supervisor.
• Support efficient material usage, quality improvement, and production goals.

Physical Requirements

Candidates must be able to:

• Stand for extended periods and frequently walk, bend, crouch, reach, climb, and balance.
• Use hands and arms to handle tools, materials, and equipment.
• Occasionally lift or move materials weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Work safely around industrial machinery, welding fumes, forklifts, electrical hazards, and moderate to high noise levels.
• Wear required personal protective equipment and follow established safety procedures.

Work Schedule & Compensation

• Shift: Swing shift, 3:30 PM–2:00 AM.
• Shift Differential: Additional pay available for swing-shift employees.
• Work Environment: Industrial manufacturing and metal fabrication facility.

Ready to Apply?

If you have the fitting, fabrication, and technical skills we're looking for, we want to hear from you!

Apply today with your current resume, highlighting your fitting and fabrication experience, blueprint-reading skills, welding processes, equipment experience, and relevant training.

For faster consideration, call Nationwide Skilled Trades at 225-363-4990 after submitting your application.