Fabrication Project Manager

Fabrication Project Manager

Job Summary Fabrication is responsible for overseeing the planning, coordination, and execution of structural steel fabrication projects from post-award handoff through fabrication and delivery. This role ensures projects are completed safely, on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with contract requirements, project specifications, quality standards, and customer expectations.

Fabrication Project Manager works closely with estimating, detailing, engineering, procurement, shop operations, quality control, project management, and field erection teams to coordinate project requirements, manage schedules and budgets, resolve technical and operational challenges, and maintain effective communication with general contractors and other project stakeholders. This position serves as a key link between the office, fabrication shop, and field teams, ensuring project scope, material procurement, fabrication sequencing, and delivery requirements are aligned for successful execution.

The role is focused on post-award project execution, fabrication coordination, cost control, schedule management, and client satisfaction, while proactively identifying risks, managing changes, and driving accountability throughout the project lifecycle.

Project setup and planning

Hold internal turnover meetings with estimating to review the contract, scope, exclusions, budget and schedule.

Review contract documents, specifications and drawings for scope of gaps, constructability issues and risk.

Work with office and field project managers to build the project schedule and erection sequence, aligning detailing, procurement, fabrication, coatings, and shipping to support erection.

Setup project dashboards to track project budget for material, shop hours, detailing, coatings, freight and erection.

Detailing, submittals and engineering coordination

Manage in-house or third-party detailers, including scope, schedule and invoice approval.

Drive shop drawing and erection drawing submittals through the approval cycle with the GC and engineer of record.

Write, track and close RFIs; resolve design conflicts with architects, engineers and other trades.

Coordinate delegated connection design and ensure calculations are stamped and submitted as required.

Procurement and production

Coordinate mill orders and material purchases with purchasing to meet fabrication release dates.

Release work to the shop in planned sequences and monitor production progress against the schedule.

Work with the fabricator(s) and QC manager to resolve fabrication issues, NCRs and rework.

Coordinate galvanizing, painting and other outside processing.

Shipping and field coordination

Plan load sequences and deliveries to match erection needs and site access limits.

Coordinate with the field crews on sequencing, field issues, and back-charges.

Coordinate with fabricators, field crews and logistics to schedule load pickups and jobsite deliveries that support installation.

Visit jobsites to attend progress meetings, verify field conditions and resolve problems.

Financial and contract management

Track job costs and forecast cost-to-complete; report margin and risk to leadership monthly.

Identify, price, negotiate and document change orders promptly.

Prepare progress billings, schedules of values and lien waivers in line with contract terms.

Review and approve vendor and subcontractor invoices.

Communication and closeout

Serve as the primary point of contact for office and field project managers, providing regular status updates and meeting minutes.

Maintain complete project records: correspondence, transmittals, logs and approvals.

Complete closeout, including punch lists, as-builts, material certifications, warranties and final billing.

Hold post-job reviews to capture lessons learned for estimating and operations.

Safety and quality

Uphold the company's safety program and values.

Ensure work meets AISC, AWS and project specification requirements.

Required qualifications5+ years of project management experience in structural steel fabrication.

Experience in structural steel estimating, including change order estimating and pricing.

Bachelor's degree in construction management, civil or structural engineering, or a related field; equivalent industry experience considered.

Ability to read and interpret structural and architectural drawings, specifications and shop drawings.

Working knowledge of the AISC Code of Standard Practice, AISC 360 and AWS D1.1.Demonstrated experience managing budgets,…