Fabricator Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Are you searching for a fabricator job description? Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of a fabricator. Feel free to use our fabricator job description template to produce your own fabricator job description. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as a fabricator.
Who is a Fabricator?
A fabricator is a particular kind of welder who is an expert in joining metal components, usually in a production setting. Fabricators can either learn on the job or in a trade school. Additionally, safety precautions must always be followed. Numerous professions can be referred to as “fabricators” in different contexts. The term generally refers to somebody who constructs or produces a machine or other item. In actuality, though, the phrase is most frequently used to describe those who construct things from written designs. A fabricator specializes in creating and putting together tools or gadgets, making sure each one is effective and of high quality. In some cases, a fabricator is necessary to produce several gears, execute quality control inspections, verify product schematics and specifications, and test the product in various conditions. Additionally, while complying with the company’s regulations and safety standards, a fabricator must coordinate with the entire workforce to stay informed of any updates or modifications to the production procedures.
To build a product or to use as parts in other products, fabricators weld metal pieces together. They often work in factories and are required to wear safety gear, such as glasses and gloves, to guard against flying objects, loud noises, and other dangers at work. Even though many firms do not demand any formal training, workers can need on-the-job or vocational training to master fabrication skills they will use as a member of an assembly team. The Fabricators & Manufacturers Association International offers optional certifications (FMA). It’s crucial to remember that many individuals who work as fabricators are frequently regarded as highly qualified specialists. Although the word’s definition does not prohibit low-skill workers from this line of employment, it is uncommon for these workers or other workers with comparable skills to refer to themselves as fabricators. A crucial employee in the manufacturing industry is a fabricator. The components that go into anything from automobiles to card readers must be manufactured to stringent standards. Fabricators utilize protective gear, such as gloves and safety glasses, to keep themselves safe as they work. You can use numerous metals to manufacture the finished goods used in consumer goods when you operate in this position. These specialists may work as independent contractors or for manufacturing firms.
There are two different types of fabricators one can decide to pursue:
Steel or metal fabricator: A steel or metal fabricator joins goods together using steel or other types of metal. They can produce a finished product in its whole or only its component components, which will later be assembled by others. You might use various heavy machinery, like drill presses, flame cutters, and shears as a professional performing this job. When assembling products, this job is primarily served by other hand tools like welding torches. A steel or metal fabricator can also work on significant projects assembling steel ships and tankers.
Welder fabricator: A welder fabricator specializes in fusing metal components to create finished goods. To master their jobs, professionals in this position read instructions and other written materials. Welder fabricators should pay close attention to details when working on projects to ensure accurate measurements and cutting of diverse metal materials. They also test their items to ensure that they are of high quality and adhere to safety regulations.
Fabricator Job Description
What is a fabricator job description? A fabricator job description is simply a list of duties and responsibilities of a fabricator in an organization. Below are the fabricator job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write a fabricator job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
- Produce precise drawings of product designs using computer-aided design (CAD) software.
- Install and repair equipment such as furnaces or air conditioners.
- Make sure the construction of the building plans is viable by working with other contractors and architects.
- Install metal support to the building’s structural parts, such as concrete slabs.
- Cut metal plates, angle iron, and other materials to be used in construction projects like buildings, roads, and bridges.
- Choose the type of material that will be required to build new products from scratch or to fix existing ones.
- Insulate the walls and ceilings of buildings such as residences, offices, and other buildings.
- Build models and moulds in preparation for casting concrete or other materials.
- Prepare metal surfaces for more work via welding, cutting, soldering, grinding, brazing, and polishing.
- Examine all engineering designs to make sure they are implemented by welding requirements.
- Use shaping and cutting tools to assist with all welding tasks.
- Aid in the production process and mould different fixtures.
- Create new components by Bucyrus standards.
- Use a gas torch and welder to fuse various metal objects effectively.
- Utilize welding devices to prepare new items and restore damaged alloy items.
- Utilize various hand and power instruments to complete tasks.
- Use a welding flame to cut all metal by specifications and diagrams after careful analysis.
- Help remove all soft metal so that it may be welded.
- Analyze completed products and inspect them for quality.
- Manage all welding operations, including the welding of finished goods and tiny parts.
- Put together old units and, if necessary, carry out modifications and repairs.
- Apply various insulation materials while working in collaboration with metal sheets.
Qualifications
- Either a high school diploma or a mechanical engineering bachelor’s degree is essential.
- Work experience as a metal fabricator or in a position that is similar.
- Professional certification and licensure.
- Excellent hand-eye coordination.
- Outstanding physical endurance.
- The capacity to labour for extended lengths of time.
- Evidence of the strength to lift large objects.
- Excellent welding skills and expertise.
- Ability to use several fabrication tools.
- Working knowledge of running heavy equipment
- Excellent colour vision.
- Outstanding dexterity.
- Ability to always pay close attention.
- Effective time management.
Essential Skills
- Detail-oriented: Fabricators utilize both heavy machines and hand tools to complete their work, so they must pay attention to detail. Make sure to measure precisely and cut metals in the proper places when assembling a product.
- Engineering expertise: For this position, having engineering expertise is beneficial because it can assist you to decide how to arrange objects once you’ve welded them together. It can also aid in your search for more effective ways to carry out your duties. Fabricators must pay close attention to detail to produce high-quality work. For them to make the right product, fabricators must be able to read and comprehend blueprints and other instructions. Fabricators can save time and money by identifying possible problems early on with the help of attention to detail.
- Expertise in technology: Understanding technology might assist you to understand how to use various tools when working on your tasks. Understanding some of the technology before applying for a job will help you stand out from the competition because you can include it on your resume and you could subsequently need less training while working.
- Dexterity: The capacity to use one’s hands effectively to complete tasks is known as dexterity. Dexterity may be advantageous for a professional in this position because you’ll be putting things together by hand and using hand tools to get the job done.
- Physical Stamina: stamina is the capacity an individual possesses to carry out their daily physical activities and maintain their level of productivity at work. When working on significant projects during the workweek, particularly when working on major infrastructures, fabricators might make use of their physical stamina.
- Problem Solving Skills: Fabricators frequently use their problem-solving abilities to locate and take care of problems that develop during manufacturing. For instance, they could need to locate a fix for a computer that isn’t functioning properly. Fabricators employ problem-solving techniques to locate and address any problems that may occur with the products they are producing.
- Organizational skills: Since you must keep projects on track and make sure you can meet deadlines on time, organization skills are crucial in this position. These abilities can also be used to help you pay attention to the small aspects of the projects and carry out routine maintenance on the tools that you and your team utilize.
- Communication Skills: Communication abilities in the fabricator career is essential. In this position, you can put your communication abilities to use when you’re working with your team to build greater infrastructure. You can also talk to your manager about problematic products, such as those that fail stress testing, don’t satisfy quality assurance standards, or are defective.
- Mathematical skills: Since you’ll be measuring pieces of metal in this position, math skills will be useful. It’s crucial to ensure that the material is trimmed exactly so that it fits correctly into the finished product.
- Design expertise: Having some design knowledge will help you align your metal components correctly to achieve quality assurance, which is helpful in this line of work. If you have an idea that would be more effective to attempt, you can also use this information in your teams when working on a big project.
How to Become a Fabricator
- Acquire Education
For assembler and fabricator positions, the majority of businesses require a high school diploma or its equivalent. Education is often centred on the industry that a fabricator wants to enter. To operate as an assembler or fabricator, you must possess at least a high school diploma or an equivalent degree. The majority of the time, prospective employees undergo on-the-job training, which may include technical training offered by the business after hiring. You must complete formal education requirements for a technical school or obtain an associate’s degree if you want to work in a specialized industry in the production of electronic, aerospace, electrical, and care products. You must master the knowledge of the characteristics of various metals and welding rods or fluxes as part of your coursework. For many jobs, it’s preferable to have a forklift truck qualification or license.
- Build relevant skills
Furthermore, if you’re looking for work as a fabricator, some talents come in handy. A large portion of the labour, for instance, necessitates meticulous attention to detail, including the ability to distinguish between different electronic components and coloured cables. Since you will need to manually assemble various goods, you should also have good hand-eye coordination. It might also be necessary to have experience with machines and motion control robots, as well as with mechanical designs and blueprints.
- Go for training and apprenticeship
The majority of the time, employers support technical training for their employees while they are on the job. The highest skilled assembly and fabrication positions could demand specialized training or an associate’s degree from some employers. For instance, technical schools often require more formal education for working with manufacturers of electrical, electronic, aerospace, and automobile equipment. There are many programs for an apprenticeship. You should look for an apprenticeship to get the appropriate welding experience and abilities for the position because most welders learn on the job. You can get paid while you learn, which is another advantage of an apprenticeship. You and your employer will sign a contract defining your obligations and financial compensation.
- Acquire Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
The Precision Press Brake Certification(PPB) and the Precision Sheet Metal Operator Certification (PSMO) are both offered by the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International (FMA). While certification might not be necessary, it can show proficiency and professionalism. It might also assist a candidate in moving up in their profession. Some employers might also prioritize applicants with specialist credentials comparable to:
Exam for the Fundamentals of Metal Fabrication Certificate: For those who can prove their proficiency in metal fabrication, the Fabricators and Manufacturers Association International (FMA) offers this certification.
SMAW Arc Welding Certification. For all metal fabricators, this optional test serves as a starting point to show expertise in welding techniques.
Construction Industry Training for OSHA 10: The OSHA 10 course, which is offered online, will teach you the fundamentals of welding as well as safety procedures.
NCCER Levels 1–5 Core Curriculum for Operators: This certification includes the information and abilities required to function as mechanical equipment and pipe system operator.
Where to Work as a Fabricator
Almost every factory and machine shop employs fabricators. However, not every fabricator works for an organization, because many may decide to be self-employed. Fabricators are essential employees in the manufacturing sector. Larger enterprises typically employ more specialist fabricators. For instance, a factory may hire welders, woodworkers, and other fabrication experts who would collaborate to assemble a challenging machine or another piece of equipment. But fabricators with a broader range of skills are frequently employed by smaller businesses. To produce corporate items, these employees would be in charge of employing a range of abilities and methods. Fabricators may also function as independent machinery. Smallercators with extremely specific skill sets, like expertise in underwater welding or familiarity with antiquated building methods, might serve as fabrication consultants for a range of clients. To make large-scale sculptures or assist with the installation of numerous works in a gallery, many artists will also hire individual fabricators or teams of fabricators. It’s vital to keep in mind that in these situations, fabricators will try to duplicate the artist’s vision rather than producing original works, frequently by closely following detailed blueprints.
Fabricator Salary Scale
The average pay for a fabricator varies according to the geographic region, educational background, work history, and experience, including any certifications or training. In America, fabricators make an average yearly salary of $59,344. In the UK, a beginning fabricator makes about £20,000 annually, according to ONS. The typical monthly salary for an engineer in Nigeria is 146,000 NGN. 70,700 NGN to 400,000 NGN is the range of salaries from lowest to highest.