Contract Machine Shop Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

POSITION OVERVIEW

Position: Shop Foreman — Welding, Fabrication & Machining

Location: Annapolis, MD (Shop-based; occasional field support may be required)

Employment Type: Full-Time

Reports To: Vice President / Operations Manager

Supervises: Welders, Fabricators, CNC Machinists, and General Shop Personnel

We are seeking a seasoned, hands-on Shop Foreman to lead daily operations across our welding, fabrication, and machining departments. This is a leadership role that demands both deep technical knowledge and the people skills to direct, motivate, and develop a skilled trades workforce. The ideal candidate has come up through the trades — as a welder, fabricator, or machinist — and has the experience and credibility to lead by example on the shop floor while managing production, quality, scheduling, and safety with equal authority.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership & Personnel Management

• Directly supervise and coordinate the daily activities of welders, fabricators, CNC machinists, and shop helpers across all production departments.
• Assign work orders, delegate tasks, and manage labor allocation to ensure production schedules are met efficiently and on time.
• Set clear performance expectations, provide ongoing coaching and feedback, and conduct formal performance evaluations for all shop personnel.
• Mentor and develop less experienced tradespeople, fostering a culture of craftsmanship, continuous improvement, and professional growth.
• Address and resolve personnel issues, conflicts, and attendance matters promptly and in accordance with company policy.
• Participate in the hiring, onboarding, and training of new shop employees in coordination with management.

Production & Scheduling

• Plan and manage daily and weekly production schedules across welding, fabrication, and machining to meet customer delivery commitments.
• Review and interpret engineered drawings, job packets, weld procedures, and machining specifications to ensure all work is set up and executed correctly.
• Coordinate workflow between departments to eliminate bottlenecks and ensure smooth handoff of components through each production phase.
• Track job progress against schedules and budgets; communicate proactively with project managers and estimators on status, changes, and issues.
• Manage material staging, tooling availability, and equipment readiness to support uninterrupted production.
• Coordinate with outside vendors, subcontractors, and suppliers as needed for materials, services, and specialty operations.

Quality Assurance

• Enforce and uphold Covington's standards for workmanship across all welding, fabrication, and machining operations.
• Perform and oversee in-process and final inspections of fabricated assemblies, weldments, and machined components against engineered drawings and customer specifications.
• Identify non-conformances, initiate corrective actions, and implement process improvements to prevent recurrence.
• Ensure all weld procedures (WPS/PQR) are followed and that welders are certified for the work they are performing.
• Maintain traceability of materials, certifications, and inspection records for all jobs as required by contract and quality standards.

Safety & Compliance

• Champion a zero-incident safety culture throughout the shop; lead by example and hold all personnel accountable to safety standards without exception.
• Conduct regular safety audits, toolbox talks, and hazard assessments across all shop areas including welding bays, fabrication floor, and machine shop.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA general industry regulations, PPE requirements, crane and rigging protocols, and all applicable safety standards.
• Investigate near-misses and incidents; document findings and implement corrective measures in coordination with management.
• Maintain orderly, clean, and organized shop conditions; enforce 5S practices and proper housekeeping standards across all departments.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum 10 years of hands-on experience in structural steel fabrication, welding, or CNC machining — this role requires genuine trades credibility earned from the ground up.
• Minimum 3–5 years of supervisory or foreman experience leading multi-trade shop personnel in a fabrication, welding, or machining environment.
• Working knowledge of all three disciplines: welding (structural and process), steel fabrication, and CNC machining — sufficient to direct, troubleshoot, and evaluate the work being performed in each area.
• Ability to read and interpret complex engineered drawings, weld symbols, GD&T tolerances, fabrication details, and machining specifications.
• Strong understanding of AWS D1.1 Structural Welding Code, weld quality standards, and welding procedure compliance.
• Demonstrated ability to manage production schedules, prioritize competing demands, and deliver jobs on time and within budget.
• Proven leadership and people management skills — the ability to motivate, develop, and hold a skilled trades team accountable.
• Strong working knowledge of OSHA general industry safety regulations and shop safety best practices.
• Excellent communication skills — able to work effectively with tradespeople, engineers, project managers, and customers.
• Proficiency with basic computer tools for job tracking, scheduling, and documentation.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) or equivalent welding quality credential.
• Experience overseeing work on government, DOT, or bridge-related fabrication projects with associated quality documentation requirements.
• Familiarity with CNC controls (FANUC, Haas, Mazak) and CAM software for supporting the machining department.
• Background in bridge fabrication, heavy structural steel, or large-component precision machining.