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Fairlead Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Fairlead

Industrial Engineer - (24)

Portsmouth, VA

$68K - $89K/yr

The Industrial Engineer (Mid-Senior Level) leads performance-improvement initiatives across Fairlead's manufacturing and waterfront operations, including structural welding, steel processing ...

Fairlead Integrated

Industrial Engineer

Portsmouth, VA · On-site

$78K - $118K/yr

The Industrial Engineer (Mid-Senior Level) leads performance-improvement initiatives across Fairlead's manufacturing and waterfront operations, including structural welding, steel processing ...

Fairlead

Industrial Engineer - (24)

Portsmouth, VA · On-site

$68K - $89K/yr

The Industrial Engineer (Mid-Senior Level) leads performance-improvement initiatives across Fairlead's manufacturing and waterfront operations, including structural welding, steel processing ...

Fairlead Integrated

Office Coordinator

Portsmouth, VA · On-site

$18.72 - $28.08/hr

The Office Coordinator is vital to the smooth operation of the Fairlead office, serving as the primary point of contact for anyone entering the facility. This role involves a variety of clerical and ...

Fairlead Integrated

Payroll Analyst

Portsmouth, VA · On-site

$47K - $71K/yr

Review payroll changes for proper authorization and adherence to Fairlead policy including compliance with federal/state/local regulations * Assist in processing the filing of weekly, monthly and ...

Fairlead Integrated

Helper Production

Portsmouth, VA · On-site

$16.20 - $24.30/hr

High School Diploma Or Equivalent # of Hires Needed 1 Salary Grade $16.20 - $24.30 Fairlead Integrated, LLC. and its subsidiaries are proud to be Equal Employ Opportunity and Affirmative Action ...

Fairlead Integrated

Shipfitter 1/Class

Portsmouth, VA · On-site

$27.07 - $40.61/hr

Communicates in a professional manner befitting the Fairlead way * Has the ability to operate forklifts and manlifts * Has fall protection training * Has a minimum of 5 years' experience as a fitter ...

Fairlead Integrated

Production Foreman

Portsmouth, VA · On-site

$72K - $109K/yr

Proficient with Microsoft Office applications and production tracking systems. # of Hires Needed 2 Salary Grade $72,794.40 - $109,191.60 Fairlead Integrated, LLC. and its subsidiaries are proud to be ...

Fairlead Integrated

Painter 1/Class

Newport News, VA · On-site

$22.93 - $34.39/hr

Inspection mirror Painter 1/Class $ 22.93 $ 28.66 $ 34.39 Job Requirements # of Hires Needed 1 Salary Grade $22.93 - $34.39 Fairlead Integrated, LLC. and its subsidiaries are proud to be Equal Employ ...

Fairlead Integrated

Payroll Analyst

Portsmouth, VA

Review payroll changes for proper authorization and adherence to Fairlead policy including compliance with federal/state/local regulations * Assist in processing the filing of weekly, monthly and ...

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Fairlead information

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How much do fairlead jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 27, 2026, the average hourly pay for fairlead in the United States is $26.34, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.14 and $30.77 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Fairlead vs Winch Operator?

AspectFairleadWinch Operator
Primary RoleGuides and directs cable or rope to prevent tangling and wearOperates winch machinery to lift, pull, or position loads
Required SkillsKnowledge of cable management, safety proceduresMechanical skills, equipment operation, safety awareness
Work EnvironmentConstruction sites, marine, industrial settingsConstruction, marine, industrial sites
CertificationsSafety training, sometimes specialized certificationsOSHA, equipment-specific training, safety certifications

While a fairlead guides cables to prevent damage, a winch operator actively controls winch machinery to move loads. Both roles are essential in industries like construction and marine operations, often working together but focusing on different tasks.

What are Fairleads and what do they do?

Fairleads are devices used primarily in maritime and industrial settings to guide ropes, cables, or lines and prevent them from chafing or becoming tangled. They are typically constructed from metal or other durable materials and are installed on ships, docks, or other structures where lines are frequently handled. Fairleads help direct lines at the correct angle, ensuring smooth operation and reducing wear and tear on both the lines and the surfaces they contact. Their use improves safety and efficiency during mooring, towing, or lifting operations.

What does fairlead Company do?

A fairlead is a device used in rigging and lifting operations to guide and control the direction of ropes, cables, or wires, preventing abrasion and tangling. Jobs involving fairleads often require knowledge of mechanical systems, safety procedures, and sometimes certifications in rigging or crane operation. Fairlead-related roles may be found in industries such as shipping, construction, and offshore drilling.

What is the highest paying hands-on job?

For hands-on jobs, roles such as specialized surgeons, petroleum engineers, and airline pilots tend to have the highest salaries. These positions often require advanced technical skills, certifications, and extensive training, and they typically offer high compensation due to the expertise and responsibility involved.

What are some common challenges faced by Fairleads when coordinating between deck crew and bridge officers on a vessel?

Fairleads often serve as crucial communication links between the deck crew and bridge officers, ensuring that operations such as mooring, anchoring, and cargo handling run smoothly. One common challenge is managing the fast-paced and sometimes unpredictable nature of maritime operations while maintaining clear, concise communication among team members. Additionally, Fairleads must be vigilant about safety protocols and adapt quickly to changing weather or operational conditions. Success in this role requires strong teamwork, attention to detail, and the ability to remain calm under pressure.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Fairlead, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Fairlead (Marine Mooring Specialist), you need strong knowledge of maritime operations, mooring systems, and safety standards, often supported by certifications like STCW or equivalent maritime credentials. Familiarity with winch controls, line handling equipment, and vessel navigation systems is typically required. Attention to detail, clear communication, and teamwork are vital soft skills for coordinating safe and efficient mooring operations. These skills ensure the secure berthing of vessels, prevent accidents, and maintain operational efficiency in marine environments.

What is fairlead?

A fairlead is a device used in rigging and lifting operations to guide and control the direction of a rope, cable, or wire. Fairleads help prevent abrasion and ensure smooth movement, often used in maritime, industrial, and construction settings. Proper installation and maintenance are essential for safety and efficiency in handling loads.
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Fairlead jobs near you
Infographic showing various Fairlead job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $54,791 per year, or $26.3 per hour.
Industrial Engineer - (24)-Portsmouth,Virginia

Industrial Engineer - (24)-Portsmouth,Virginia

Fairlead

Smithfield, VA

$65K - $86K/yr

Full-time

Posted 24 days ago

Job description

Position Summary:
The Industrial Engineer (Mid-Senior Level) leads performance-improvement initiatives across Fairlead's manufacturing and waterfront operations, including structural welding, steel processing, fabrication, machining, assembly, and logistics planning. The role also supports facility-infrastructure expansion, equipment placement, and long-term capacity-growth initiatives. This position is responsible for driving improvements in throughput, cost efficiency, safety, quality, and workflow optimization, while contributing to the design of scalable production systems that align with Fairlead's operational footprint and capital-improvement strategy. This position requires regular collaboration with Production, Quality, Maintenance, and Safety teams to support the implementation of measurable and sustainable improvements across multiple operational areas.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
  • Lead process optimization initiatives across structural welding, steel processing, fabrication, machining, assembly, and waterfront production workflows.
  • Analyze takt time, capacity, labor utilization, bottlenecks, and material flow to improve throughput and schedule reliability.
  • Develop optimized plant and yard layouts, staging plans, and waterfront work sequencing to support large component movement and production flow.
  • Support facility infrastructure expansion and layout changes, ensuring new spaces, utilities, and equipment placements align with Lean flow and future-state capacity.
  • Conduct time studies, standard work development, production balancing, and ergonomic/workstation improvements.
  • Support tooling enhancements, automation opportunities, and capital project justification through ROI and feasibility analysis.
  • Partner with Quality to reduce scrap, rework, weld defects, mis-runs, and process variability.
  • Improve operational KPIs including OEE, cycle time, yield, downtime, WIP inventory, and on-time performance.
  • Lead root-cause investigations, Kaizen events, corrective action implementation, and sustainment planning.
  • Production support liaison for logistics and material-handling optimization, including crane utilization, heavylift routing, staging, and kitting.
  • Mentor front-line leaders and supervisors in Lean principles and disciplined execution.
  • Support onboarding and implementation of new processes, equipment, or workflow changes.
  • Ensure engineering improvements align with Fairlead safety, environmental, and regulatory standards

Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in Industrial, Manufacturing, Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline
  • 5-10+ years of experience in heavy industrial or manufacturing environments; steel fabrication, shipbuilding, or large-component production strongly preferred.
  • Proven success leading multi-area improvement initiatives across fabrication, machining, or waterfront operations.
  • Advanced knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and structured problem solving.
  • Experience with capacity modeling, layout design, workflow engineering, and production system development.
  • Proficiency with CAD tools and data analytics platforms (Excel, Minitab, PowerBI, or equivalent).
  • Experience with ERP/MES production reporting and KPI dashboards.
  • Strong communication, leadership, and change-management capability.

Preferred Experience:
  • Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt.
  • Background in structural steel, shipyard/waterfront, or heavy fabrication environments.
  • Knowledge of OSHA, ISO, welding standards, and industrial safety requirements.
  • Experience supporting automation, sensors/data collection, or advanced manufacturing technologies.

Physical Demands:
  • While performing these job duties, the employee is routinely required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; use fingers and hands to type or write; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear; taste or smell. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
  • Ability to walk production areas, climb platforms, work around heavy-lift equipment, and wear personal protective equipment (PPE).
  • Occasional lifting up to 25-40 lbs, with exposure to noise, heat, and industrial conditions.

Work Environment:
This position is performed in manufacturing, shipyard, and waterfront environments with some local travel between facilities.

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