Lead Fabricator

Job Title: Lead Fabricator

Job Description

The Lead Fabricator oversees the creation of highly customized exhibition pieces that blend advanced fabrication techniques with artistic craftsmanship. This role works closely with the design and engineering team to interpret and refine blueprints and concept drawings, then leads a team of fabricators to bring one-of-a-kind projects to life in metal, wood, and plastic. The position requires strong hands-on fabrication skills, the ability to problem-solve and adjust designs on the fly, and proven experience leading a diverse shop team in a fast-paced, project-driven environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise a team of approximately 10–15 fabricators, including welders, fitters, carpenters, CNC machine operators, assemblers, and woodworkers.
• Collaborate with the design and engineering team to review blueprints and design drawings, understand project intent, and develop practical fabrication plans for unique, often never-before-built pieces.
• Fabricate complex components in metal, wood, and plastic, both with and without blueprints, using a combination of traditional and non-traditional techniques.
• Perform metal fabrication tasks such as forming, cutting, beveling, shaping, fitting, and welding, and integrate metal components with wood and plastic structures.
• Carry out wood fabrication activities including cutting, forming, shaving, chipping, staining, and carving designs, and securely attach wood elements to metal and plastic assemblies.
• Execute plastic fabrication processes such as 3D printing, shaving, carving, and creating intricate designs, and integrate plastic parts with metal and wood components.
• Make real-time suggestions and design alterations during fabrication to improve structural integrity, aesthetics, or manufacturability while preserving design intent.
• Schedule projects and allocate manpower effectively to meet deadlines and manage a high volume of work in a busy fabrication shop.
• Train, mentor, and support new hires and less-experienced fabricators, sharing best practices in fabrication, safety, quality, and artistic execution.
• Work closely with management to implement design decisions, resolve technical challenges, and ensure projects move smoothly from concept through completion.
• Ensure high standards of quality, detail, and craftsmanship on all projects, with a strong focus on exhibition-level finishes and visual impact.
• Support integration of electrical, lighting, wiring, and audio-visual (AV) elements into fabricated structures when applicable.
• Promote and follow shop safety practices, including proper use of equipment and adherence to safety-related attire and procedures.
• Contribute to a collaborative, artistically driven environment where team members share ideas and continuously improve fabrication methods.

Essential Skills

• At least 5 years of hands-on fabrication experience in a manufacturing or fabrication shop environment.
• At least 2 years of experience in a lead, supervisory, or team leadership role within a fabrication setting.
• Ability to fabricate accurately with or without detailed blueprints, including strong blueprint and drawing reading skills.
• Proficiency in metal fabrication, including forming, cutting, beveling, shaping, fitting, and welding.
• Experience welding and fitting metal components, including MIG welding and exposure to TIG welding.
• Demonstrated ability to fabricate with metal, wood, and plastic, and to integrate these materials into cohesive structures.
• Background in non-traditional or artistic fabrication, such as museum, exhibition, or architectural art projects.
• Strong carpentry skills for cutting, forming, shaping, and finishing wood components.
• Experience working with CNC machines and related fabrication equipment.
• High attention to detail and a strong sense of craftsmanship suitable for exhibition-quality work.
• Effective management and leadership skills, including scheduling, task delegation, and team coordination.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, project-based environment with evolving designs and frequent problem-solving.
• High initiative and a calm, steady demeanor when handling complex or challenging projects.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in electrical, lighting, and wiring work, particularly for integrating these elements into fabricated displays.
• Familiarity with audio-visual (AV) integration in exhibition or display environments.
• Previous experience working for a museum, exhibition company, or similar environment focused on display and experiential installations.
• Extensive knowledge of the properties and behaviors of metal, wood, and plastic, including how they interact when combined.
• Experience with 3D printing for creating detailed or intricate plastic components.
• Knowledge of exotic welding and working with materials such as bronze, aluminum, and stainless steel.
• Exposure to architectural or exhibition design concepts and the ability to collaborate with designers and engineers.
• Experience operating CNC machines and working with CNC-driven fabrication processes.
• Exposure in museum, exhibition art, or similar artistic fabrication environments.
• Ability to thrive in a manufacturing environment, including non-climate-controlled shop conditions.

Why Work Here?

Join a highly collaborative team of artists, fabricators, project managers, designers, and engineers who share a passion for detail, craftsmanship, and creative problem-solving. You will work on one-of-a-kind projects from start to finish, all under one roof, allowing you to see ideas evolve from concept to completed installation. The culture emphasizes close-knit teamwork, continuous learning, and the excitement of tackling something new every day, creating an environment where there is always a fresh challenge and never a dull moment. This is an ideal setting for a true artist-fabricator who wants to turn bold ideas into tangible, museum-quality experiences.

Work Environment

The role is based in a medium-sized metal fabrication facility that focuses on unique, exhibition-style projects. The building is older and unassuming from the outside, but the interior is clean and busy, with in-progress work that often resembles an art museum under construction. The shop operates as a manufacturing environment with a high volume of work and a significant project backlog, contributing to steady and sometimes extended working hours. The position is on first shift, typically from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with frequent opportunities for additional hours due to workload. The facility is non–air-conditioned, but large fans help maintain airflow throughout the shop. There are two unisex/gender-neutral restrooms available for all employees. The team includes a small design and engineering group, multiple fabrication leads, a diverse group of fabricators (welders, fitters, machine operators, assemblers, woodworkers), and painters, creating a multidisciplinary environment. Standard work attire includes steel-toe shoes, a work shirt, and jeans, with hats allowed during regular work (but not during interviews) and limited jewelry for safety reasons. The environment is hands-on, dynamic, and highly creative, with tools and equipment such as welding machines, CNC machines, woodworking tools, 3D printers, and various metal- and plastic-working equipment in regular use.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Houston, TX.

The pay range for this position is $25.00 - $35.00/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)

This is a fully onsite position in Houston,TX.

This position is anticipated to close on Apr 23, 2026.

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.