Main Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Fabrication Technician
A Fabrication Technician is a professional who plays a critical role in the manufacturing process by operating and maintaining machinery to produce precision components and products. These technicians are instrumental in ensuring the efficient functioning of fabrication equipment and contributing to the overall quality and output of manufacturing operations. In this blog post, we explore the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Fabrication Technicians.
Get market insights and compare skills for other jobs here.
Main Responsibilities of a Fabrication Technician
The following list describes the typical responsibilities of a Fabrication Technician:
Adapt
Adapt to changing production schedules and priorities.
Address
Address and recommend improved methods for creating hardware, and assemblies.
Adhere
Adhere to all OC and Plant specific requirements when properly handling, moving and storing metal.
Adjust
Adjust machine settings to achieve desired specifications.
Allocate
Allocate material used to the proper pick-list.
Analyze
Analyze production data to identify trends and areas for improvement.
Approve
Approve rework instructions once released from engineering department from a production perspective.
Assemble
Assemble and welds part to print.
Assist in
Assist in the development of new fabrication techniques and procedures.
Assist in the training of new technicians on equipment operation.
Assist on bushing inspections.
Build
Build and repair medical devices - customizable braces, prosthetic limbs, etc..
Build bushings in the published time allotted.
Check
Check material for defects and correct dimensions.
Clean
Clean and organize work areas to maintain cleanliness and orderliness.
Clean and inspect finished bushing.
Collaborate with
Collaborate with engineering and design teams on process improvements.
Collaborate with quality assurance teams to address production issues.
Collect
Collect inventory sheets and audit inventory verification process report findings to the Area Leader.
Communicate
Communicate areas of opportunity to Area Leaders.
Communicate effectively with team members and supervisors.
Complete
Complete documentation as required to support Quality systems.
Comprehend
Comprehend and complete fabrication on a sequence of operations.
Coordinate
Coordinate with maintenance teams for major equipment repairs.
Coordinate with production supervisors to prioritize work orders.
Create
Create assembly and fabrication fixtures.
Demonstrate
Demonstrate commitment to quality and excellence in all tasks.
Determine
Determine the amount of labor necessary to produce daily bushings.
Develop
Develop ideas to improve operations.
Develop safety and quality standards.
Document
Document all issues encountered during cutting operations.
Document production activities and maintain records.
Document the operations performed.
Ensure
Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and standards.
Expedite
Expedite material through cutting as required.
Fabricate
Fabricate and install irrigation systems.
Fabricate and install plant shelving.
Fabricate components for use in a fuel cell electrical power generator.
Fit
Fit and assemble components.
Follow
Follow instructions from Fabrication Lead to hand assemble control panels and systems.
Follow safety protocols and guidelines at all times.
Follow Standard Operating Procedures to ensure consistency and safety in operating machinery.
Generate
Generate Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Help
Help to identify root cause.
Identify
Identify and tags material with a written symbol for assembly and inspection.
Identify opportunities to reduce waste and minimize downtime.
Implement
Implement lean manufacturing principles to optimize efficiency.
Implement preventive maintenance programs for fabrication machinery.
Inspect
Inspect finished products for defects and quality issues.
Inspect completed operations for quality, accuracy and quantity.
Interpret
Interpret technical drawings to drill and tap layouts in steel for control cabinet design.
Locate
Locate and position material as required from the storage racks to the appropriate cutting center.
Maintain
Maintain a clean and orderly work area.
Maintain a clean work area including general shop cleaning and housekeeping duties.
Maintain all machines as recommended by the manufacturer and as directed.
Maintain all machine shop equipment.
Maintain all the equipment as instructed by the preventative maintenance documentation.
Maintain a safe, clean and orderly work environment.
Maintain inventory of raw materials and supplies.
Maintain knowledge of industry standards and best practices.
Manage
Manage ordering of tools and materials for fabrication projects.
Material
Material handling and staging of project material.
Measure
Measure and inspect kitted parts to determine specification conformance.
Monitor
Monitor machine operations as parts are processed to insure quality and accuracy.
Monitor production processes to ensure quality and efficiency.
Operate
Operate equipment in a safe manner per Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
Operate fabrication machinery according to established procedures.
Operate the machines per Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) , in a safe manner.
Organize
Organize & maintains the areas around the machines and work area.
Organize work in the work area.
Participate in
Participate in equipment testing and validation processes.
Participate in training programs for new employees.
Perform
Perform all general production work as required.
Perform daily checks on ventilation, lighting and plumbing.
Perform maintenance and repairs on equipment.
Perform metrology of in-house produced components and inbound prototype components.
Perform multiple operations simultaneously often required.
Perform ordering and receiving and other inventory tasks as assigned.
Perform routine maintenance on fabrication equipment.
Perform routine tasks as directed and under close supervision.
Prioritize
Prioritize operations to achieve schedule.
Provide
Provide exceptional customer service to internal team members.
Provide input on equipment upgrades and replacements.
Provide other support and duties as assigned around the manufacturing facility.
Provide routine inspections of tools and equipment to ensure safety and quality.
Provide solutions or alternative approaches to solve basic technical manufacturing problems.
Recognize
Recognize, report and correct safety hazards upon identification.
Review
Review documentation and drawings to understand the components for fabrication.
Schedule
Schedule cutting operations to ensure on-time delivery per requirements.
Set-up
Set-up and adjust welding machines as required for various applications.
Set-up machinery and tools for production runs.
Set-up, operate and maintain a CNC, with a high level of attention to detail.
Support
Support continuous improvement initiatives within the fabrication department.
Support the basic troubleshooting and repair of machinery as needed.
Train
Train additional team members.
Train other employees as needed on fabrication process.
Train other fabricators on best practices.
Troubleshoot
Troubleshoot equipment malfunctions and perform repairs.
Use
Use computer to input documentation to move finished material to the next process area.
Use electrical test equipment such as Volt meters to test panel components.
Use hand tools and equipment such as, but not limited to, drills, saws and grinders.
Use hand tools to wire simple and complex circuits from technical drawings.
Use of vibrating and jarring hand tools, power tools, and other equipment on a regular basis.
Use pick lists, part lists, and assembly instructions to fabricate the door components.
Utilize
Utilize TPM and metric board maintenance.
Verify
Verify all operations have been completed as specified on the documents.
Verify conformance of finished bushing to blueprint specifications.
Weld
Weld parts according to print specifications and verify critical dimensions.
Weld parts according to print specifications and verify critical dimensions.
Work
Work around and near high / low voltage circuits.
Work collaboratively with cross functional teams and team members.
Work from part drawings, templates, etc. most welding done in down position.
Work to eliminate workmanship issues.
Work with Area Leader in improving the fabrication process.
Work with Area Leaders to audit critical process variables.
Work with maintenance to improve machinery.
Most In-demand Hard Skills
The following list describes the most required technical skills of a Fabrication Technician:
Proficiency in operating CNC machines and other fabrication equipment.
Knowledge of machine setup and tooling procedures.
Ability to read and interpret blueprints and technical drawings.
Familiarity with precision measurement tools such as calipers and micrometers.
Understanding of machining processes and materials.
Skill in troubleshooting mechanical and electrical issues.
Experience with computerized manufacturing systems.
Proficiency in welding, cutting, and brazing techniques.
Knowledge of metalworking and fabrication techniques.
Familiarity with CAD/CAM software for programming CNC machines.
Ability to perform basic machining operations (e.g., drilling, milling, turning).
Understanding of safety protocols and regulations in a manufacturing environment.
Skill in hydraulic and pneumatic systems maintenance.
Experience with robotic automation systems.
Knowledge of material properties and selection.
Ability to perform preventive maintenance on machinery.
Understanding of fabrication processes such as bending and forming.
Proficiency in operating power tools and hand tools.
Familiarity with electrical and electronic components used in fabrication.
Ability to troubleshoot and repair complex machinery issues.
Most In-demand Soft Skills
The following list describes the most required soft skills of a Fabrication Technician:
Attention to detail in executing fabrication tasks.
Strong problem-solving and critical thinking abilities.
Effective communication skills for collaborating with team members.
Adaptability to changing production demands and priorities.
Time management and organizational skills to meet deadlines.
Teamwork and collaboration in a fast-paced environment.
Initiative and self-motivation in completing tasks.
Flexibility to work varying shifts and overtime as needed.
Positive attitude and willingness to learn new skills.
Stress management and resilience in high-pressure situations.
Conclusion
Fabrication Technicians are responsible for ensuring the seamless operation of machinery and the production of high-quality components. With their blend of technical expertise and soft skills, they play a vital role in driving efficiency and innovation in the fabrication process. As the manufacturing landscape continues to evolve, the skills and contributions of Fabrication Technicians remain essential in shaping the future of production.
