Lead Fabrication Welder

Crane Engineering is a family-oriented Midwest and East coast based company; with locations in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. As a result of our growth, we have a need for a Lead Fabrication Welder.

The Lead Fabrication Welder is a foundational welder position helping establish our in-house welding capability. A qualified candidate has strong understanding of various welding techniques and is proficient in the use of tools and machinery associated with the welding process. This role requires attention to detail, a commitment to safety, and the ability to read and interpret blueprints and schematics. This role will contribute to the fabrication and assembly of metal structures and process piping, ensuring high-quality workmanship.

Collaboration with supervision, engineers and the ability to mentor others are key attributes.

What Youll Do

• Demonstrate and promote Cranes core values:
  Act with Integrity and Respect, Foster Teamwork, Focus on the Customer, Strive for Excellence and Innovation, Project Passion and Energy, and Have Fun.
• Perform high-quality welding in accordance with industry codes, company standards, and client specifications, with emphasis on process pipe welding.
• Take ownership of welding tasks from fit-up through final inspection, ensuring work is completed with minimal supervision.
• Actively participate in developing welding procedures, best practices, drawing formats/specifications and shop standards as we expand in-house welding capability.
• Identify opportunities to streamline fabrication processes and recommend improvements to supervision and engineering.
• Support new equipment/tooling setup and contribute input on shop layout for welding and fabrication efficiency.
• Serve as a subject-matter resource for proper stainless-steel welding techniques, purge quality, and fit-up best practices.
• Collaborate with project managers, engineers, and other trades to ensure proper fit-up and installation.
• Track job progress, document completed work and communicate updates to supervisors.
• Read and interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, and P&IDs to ensure accuracy in fabrication and assembly.
• Inspect in-process and completed work, identifying and correcting non-conformance issues before defects are passed downstream.
• Apply sound judgment to determine the most efficient and effective processes, balancing quality, safety, and productivity.
• Adapt to changing priorities and schedules, effectively managing interruptions and shifting demands.
• Plan and prioritize work to meet deadlines and align with organizational goals.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to junior team members, fostering teamwork and knowledge sharing.
• Practice and promote workplace safety in accordance with OSHA standards and company policies.
• Adhere to the highest quality standards, ensuring reliable and compliant welds.
• Drive efficiency improvements in processes, equipment usage, and work practices.
• Participate in continuous improvement activities that positively impact safety, environmental protection, product quality, and operational performance.
• Support workplace organization and housekeeping initiatives, maintaining a clean and organized work environment.
• May perform other duties as assigned.

What Were Looking For

• 510 years of welding experience in an industrial or fabrication environment.
• Process pipe welding certification preferred (ASME, AWS, or equivalent).
• Ability to work independently with limited direction; strong sense of ownership and accountability.
• Demonstrated initiative in improving processes, tooling, or workflow.
• Experience welding stainless steel process piping (TIG/GTAW required).
• Comfort working in a dynamic environment where priorities may shift.
• Demonstrated leadership experiencementoring, training, or leading small teams.
• Proven ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and blueprints.
• Strong troubleshooting skills to identify and resolve non-conformance issues.
• Experience in aluminum welding a plus.
• Design or fabrication layout experience a plus.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills; able to plan, prioritize, and deliver results on schedule.
• Excellent…