Job Description

Overview

MRW Fabrication is a locally owned custom fabrication shop in Independence, Missouri, serving the Kansas City area for over 10 years. We specialize in custom metal fabrication, welding, laser cutting, metal bending, commercial projects, architectural metalwork, and specialty fabrication.

Responsibilities

  • Oversee daily shop operations, workflow, and production schedules.
  • Lead, train, and provide direction to fabrication shop employees.
  • Perform hands-on metal fabrication, welding, cutting, fitting, and assembly as needed.
  • Read and interpret blueprints, drawings, measurements, and project specifications.
  • Plan fabrication processes and determine the most efficient methods for completing projects.
  • Assign tasks, monitor progress, and ensure projects are completed accurately and on schedule.
  • Oversee the use of shop equipment, including laser cutters, CNC equipment, press brakes, saws, and other fabrication machinery.
  • Troubleshoot fabrication challenges and develop practical solutions.
  • Maintain quality control throughout the fabrication process.
  • Coordinate material needs, monitor inventory, and minimize waste.
  • Ensure safe equipment operation and maintain a clean, organized work environment.
  • Communicate with ownership regarding project progress, scheduling, material requirements, and potential issues.
  • Maintain accountability, productivity, and teamwork among shop employees.

Requirements

  • Extensive hands-on experience in metal fabrication and welding.
  • Strong understanding of fabrication processes, equipment, and shop operations.
  • Ability to read blueprints, technical drawings, and detailed specifications.
  • Experience operating a variety of metal fabrication tools and equipment.
  • Strong mechanical aptitude and problem-solving abilities.
  • Ability to independently plan and execute fabrication projects.
  • Leadership skills with the ability to direct, train, and motivate employees.
  • Excellent attention to detail and commitment to quality workmanship.
  • Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment with changing project priorities.
  • Previous experience as a shop foreman, fabrication supervisor, or lead fabricator is preferred.
  • Experience with CNC machinery, laser cutting equipment, and press brakes is preferred.
  • Familiarity with CAD drawings or fabrication design software is preferred.
  • Experience with custom, non-production fabrication projects is preferred.
  • Experience estimating labor, materials, and production timelines is preferred.
  • Knowledge of multiple welding processes, including MIG and TIG is preferred.

Benefits

  • PTO

Additional Information

  • Expected hours: 40.0 per week
  • Work Location: In person

Benefits

PTO

How this job compares in Independence, MO

Pay in context

At roughly $28/hr, this posting lands within a few percent of the $26/hr median for welding jobs across Missouri, whose middle half runs $22–$30/hr across 54 postings with published pay. Put another way, it pays more than about 63% of the comparable postings we have wage data for. In other words it is a market-rate offer, so benefits, overtime, and shift schedule are where the real difference between this and the next posting on the list shows up.

The local market in Independence, MO

Independence, MO is a small market in our index: 2 other active welding openings alongside this one, from 2 employers. Across Missouri as a whole we're tracking 93 other active welding openings from 65 employers. With this few local postings, most welders here end up either commuting or looking at travel work. Browse welding jobs across Missouri.

The most active employers in Missouri at the moment, by number of open welding reqs, are Leonardo DRS (5), Aerotek (4), and Veterans Health Administration (4). Volume like that usually means either a genuine expansion or a staffing agency working several client sites — worth knowing which before you apply.

What you'll be running

This posting calls for MIG and TIG work. MIG (GMAW) feeds a continuous wire electrode through a shielding-gas nozzle. It lays down metal fast and is forgiving on clean material, which is why it dominates production and light fabrication work. TIG (GTAW) uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode with filler added by hand, giving the operator the most control of any process. It is slow, demanding, and the standard for stainless, aluminum, and anything where the bead has to look as good as it holds.

See all lead welder openings if you want to compare this against similar roles.

Similar openings near Independence, MO

Pay figures are medians computed from live postings in the Welding Pros index, not from survey data, and they move as employers post. Fabrication Shop Foreman / Lead Fabricator figures were last recalculated when this page was built.