Job Description

Overview

The Van Conversion Craftsman at Sonsray is responsible for transforming commercial cargo vans into refrigerated vehicles through structural modifications, framing, insulation, and interior installations. The role requires strong mechanical skills and attention to detail, with a focus on quality workmanship and customized solutions.

Responsibilities

  • Prepare commercial cargo vans for refrigeration system installation by completing all required interior modifications.
  • Install framing, flooring, walls, ceilings, bulkheads, and door assemblies according to company specifications.
  • Measure, cut, and fabricate wood, metal, fiberglass, plastic paneling, insulation, and other materials to ensure a precise fit.
  • Prep interior walls, floors, ceilings, and doors for framing and insulation installation.
  • Install and trim insulation, including spray foam and rigid foam insulation, while utilizing required personal protective equipment (PPE).
  • Inspect vehicle wiring for proper routing, secure mounting, accessibility, and safe operation.
  • Safely operate hand tools, power tools, and shop equipment while maintaining a clean and organized work area.
  • Perform quality inspections throughout the build process to ensure workmanship meets company standards.
  • Follow all company safety policies, OSHA requirements, and equipment operating procedures.
  • Occasionally travel to customer locations or other company facilities as business needs require.
  • Perform other duties as assigned by management.

Requirements

  • Previous experience in van conversions, vehicle upfitting, fabrication, carpentry, construction, RV manufacturing, or a related mechanical trade preferred.
  • Mechanical aptitude with the ability to use hand and power tools and perform accurate measurements.
  • Experience working with wood, metal, fiberglass, insulation, and plastic paneling.
  • Basic knowledge of vehicle electrical systems; ability to diagnose simple electrical and mechanical issues is preferred.
  • Liftgate experience and/or aluminum welding certification is a plus.
  • Ability to read and follow verbal and written instructions.
  • Strong attention to detail with the ability to produce high-quality workmanship.
  • Must be at least 21 years of age with a valid driver's license and acceptable driving record.
  • Ability to frequently stand, walk, bend, kneel, climb ladders, lift up to 50 lbs., and work safely while wearing required PPE.
  • Diagnose basic electrical issues, including open and short circuits within vehicle lighting and electrical systems.
  • Troubleshoot and repair mechanical and hydraulic components, including liftgate systems, rail cables, cylinders, motor pumps, relays, and hydraulic hoses, as needed.

Benefits

  • Health Insurance
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • PTO
  • 401k

Additional Information

  • Location: Vernon, CA
  • Full-Time position
  • Salary Range: $22 to $24 hourly depending on experience

Benefits

Health Insurance
Dental
Vision
PTO
401k

How this job compares in Vernon, CA

Pay in context

At roughly $23/hr, this posting comes in about 34% below the $35/hr median for welding jobs across California, where the middle half runs $28–$47/hr across 408 postings with published pay. Put another way, it pays more than about 11% of the comparable postings we have wage data for. That gap is worth raising directly — in a market this size there is normally room to negotiate toward the median, particularly if you already hold the certifications the posting asks for.

The local market in Vernon, CA

Vernon, CA currently has 6 other active welding openings besides this one, spread across 3 employers. None of them were added in the last week, so this is a slower-moving market. Across California as a whole we're tracking 553 other active welding openings from 251 employers. That's enough local activity to be worth comparing two or three offers before committing. Browse every welding job in Vernon, or widen the search to California.

The most active employers in California at the moment, by number of open welding reqs, are SpaceX (34), Honeywell Aerospace (21), and Aerotek (17). Volume like that usually means either a genuine expansion or a staffing agency working several client sites — worth knowing which before you apply.

Within California, the best-paying metros we track by median hourly rate are Redondo Beach at $72/hr, El Segundo at $58/hr, and Torrance at $47/hr. If you can relocate or commute, that spread is worth factoring in.

Similar openings near Vernon, CA

Pay figures are medians computed from live postings in the Welding Pros index, not from survey data, and they move as employers post. Van Conversion Craftsman figures were last recalculated when this page was built.