Fabricator

Job Title: Structural Steel MIG Welder – 1st Shift
Job Description

This role focuses on structural steel fabrication on a dedicated first-shift schedule, working primarily with MIG welding to build high-quality steel components from detailed engineering blueprints. You will set up and weld at your own station, interpret complex layouts, and handle material using shop equipment in a smaller, collaborative fabrication environment.

Responsibilities

• Interpret and work from structural steel blueprints and engineering drawings to understand layouts, dimensions, and specifications.
• Review job layouts and verify all required specifications, measurements, and tolerances before beginning fabrication.
• Use rulers, squares, protractors, and template gauges to measure, mark, and confirm dimensions on steel components.
• Perform MIG welding (flux core and metal core) on mild and stainless steel ranging from 3/16 inch up to 1 inch thickness.
• Execute high-quality horizontal (primary) and vertical up welds in accordance with project and quality standards.
• Set up and work independently at an assigned welding station, using the provided material kit from the cutting department.
• Read and follow blueprints to sequence welds and assemble components accurately and efficiently.
• Use hi-los and overhead cranes to safely move welded assemblies and material to designated areas, including the paint department.
• Perform grinding and finishing work on welds and fabricated parts as needed to meet quality and appearance standards.
• Operate and assist with additional shop equipment such as torches, plasma cutters, rigging equipment, saws for cutting material, and the Avenger machine for drilling into beams.
• Remain flexible and willing to assist with other tasks and equipment within the shop as production needs change.
• Follow all shop safety procedures, including safe operation of welding, cutting, and material-handling equipment, and maintain a clean and organized work area.

Essential Skills

• 3–5 years of MIG fabrication experience on steel, including structural applications.
• 3–5 years of experience welding from structural steel blueprints.
• Proficiency in MIG welding using flux core and metal core processes.
• Ability to read and interpret structural blueprints and engineering drawings accurately.
• Ability to read and use a tape measure confidently for precise measurements.
• Ability to convert fractions to decimals quickly and accurately for layout and fabrication work.
• Experience performing horizontal and vertical up welds on mild and stainless steel from 3/16 inch to 1 inch thickness.
• Competence in using standard layout tools such as rulers, squares, protractors, and template gauges.
• Ability to perform grinding and basic finishing on welds and fabricated parts.
• Capability to safely use hi-los and overhead cranes to move materials and finished assemblies, or willingness to train.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Approximately 3 years of stick welding experience is a strong plus.
• Current or prior hi-lo certification is highly desirable.
• Overhead crane certification is a plus.
• AWS welding certification is preferred and demonstrates strong technical proficiency.
• Comfort working in a smaller fabrication shop and supporting different types of equipment and tasks as needed.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to producing accurate, high-quality structural welds.
• Ability to work independently at a welding station while collaborating effectively with the broader shop team.

Why Work Here?

You will join a smaller, close-knit fabrication shop where your experience and craftsmanship have a visible impact on each project. The work offers consistent first-shift hours with an early start, creating opportunities for work-life balance while still providing occasional overtime. The environment encourages versatility and hands-on learning across multiple types of equipment, offering ongoing skill development and variety in your day-to-day work. You will work alongside experienced welders and fabricators in a setting that values safety, quality, and teamwork.

Work Environment

This is a first-shift structural steel fabrication role, typically working Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. During busier periods, hours may shift to approximately 5:00 a.m. to 2:30/3:30 p.m., with occasional Saturday work that is not frequent. The facility is organized with welding operations on one side and finished products, plumbing, assembly, and electrical areas on the other. The shop currently has several welding stations and is adding additional stations to support growth. Offices and restrooms are centrally located, with additional office space at the front of the building. You will work at your own welding station, using equipment such as MIG welders, torches, plasma cutters, saws, rigging gear, hi-los, overhead cranes, and an Avenger machine for drilling beams. The environment is that of an active fabrication shop with typical noise, steel handling, and production activity, where practical work attire suitable for welding, cutting, and material handling is expected.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of CALEDONIA, MI.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $25.00 - $32.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in CALEDONIA,MI.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on May 2, 2026.

About Aerotek:

We know that finding work is hard, and finding meaningful work is harder. Aerotek connects 180,000+ light industrial and skilled trades workers with 14,000+ employers each year, helping our workers navigate an evolving labor market and find jobs that meets their goals, skills and interests. Since 1983, we have provided a variety of career opportunities across North American industry – from short-term assignments at Fortune 500 companies where you can build your skills, to long-term opportunities where you can play a vital role solving for companies’ construction, manufacturing and maintenance challenges. Our 1,500+ experienced recruiters across 250+ offices work relentlessly to put our workforce in a position to thrive. Let us rise to meet your challenges and put our people-are everything spirit to the test as your career continues to grow.

Aerotek offers weekly pay, employee benefits including medical, dental & vision, life insurance, health advocacy and employee assistance programs, a 401(k) plan, and employee discounts.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

mig welding, structural steel fabrication, reading blueprints, horizontal welding, vertical welding, grinding, overhead crane operation, hi-los operation, tape measure usage, shop equipment operation, plasma cutting, torch cutting, rigging equipment operation, avenger machine operation, stakeholder collaboration, independent work, attention to detail, Electro-Mechanical Engineer, Manufacturing Engineer - Rotary Equipment & Turbo MFG, Manufacturing Engineer - Manufacturing & Injection Moulding & Cad, Production, Assembly & QA Testing, Mechanical & Electrical Engineer, Senior Electronics Engineer - PCB Design, Electrical Engineering Technician, Manufacturing Engineer, Electrical Engineer - Solidworks & Autocad Electrical & PCB Layout, Component Engineer