Machine Helper Jobs in Mount Vernon, WA (NOW HIRING)

Job Summary

The Shop Helper / Grinder performs general labor and support duties within the fabrication shop to assist welders, fabricators, and production personnel in meeting project deadlines.

This role supports daily shop operations by maintaining cleanliness, assisting with material handling, operating equipment when authorized, and ensuring a safe work environment.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Safety & Compliance
• Always maintain a safe working environment
• Follow all company safety policies and OSHA requirements
• Wear required personal protective equipment (PPE) including hard hats, gloves, eye protection, hearing protection, respirators (if required), and steel-toe boots
• Report unsafe conditions, hazards, or equipment malfunctions immediately to the Shop Foreman

Shop Support & General Labor

• Perform grinding, sanding, deburring, and cleaning of fabricated steel components
• Assist welders and fabricators with positioning materials and components
• Load and unload trucks and material deliveries.
• Move material throughout the shop using forklifts, overhead cranes, or other equipment (only when properly trained, certified and expressly authorized)
• Assist with small repairs and preventative maintenance tasks under supervision
• Stage materials for upcoming projects as directed

Housekeeping

• Sweep and clean shop floors, fabrication areas, break rooms, restrooms, and offices as assigned
• Maintain clean and organized work areas
• Pick up tools, roll up leads/hoses, and manage scrap materials
• Assist with yard cleanup and exterior shop maintenance when needed

Equipment Operation (when authorized)

• Operate forklifts, overhead cranes, and other material handling equipment (only when properly trained, certified and expressly authorized).
• Follow all safety procedures when operating machinery.
• Participate in required equipment certifications.

Physical Requirements

This is a physically demanding position consistent with heavy industrial work. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

The employee must be able to:

• Lift 50–100 pounds occasionally
• Lift 25–50 pounds frequently
• Stand, walk, bend, kneel, crouch, and climb throughout the shift
• Work in bent or awkward positions for extended periods
• Push, pull, and move heavy steel components
• Maintain balance on uneven surfaces, ladders, and shop platforms
• Use hands for gripping, grinding, lifting, and material handling
• Clearly hear alarms, equipment sounds, and verbal instructions
• Clearly see measuring devices, fabrication marks, warning signs, and safety signals

The employee will regularly work in:

• Loud environments requiring hearing protection
• Hot conditions during summer months and cold conditions during winter
• Areas with welding fumes, grinding dust, smoke, and airborne particles
• Environments with moving machinery and overhead loads
• Conditions requiring continuous use of PPE
• This position involves continuous work that cannot easily be interrupted except during scheduled breaks.

Personal Traits & Expectations

• Rainier Welding Partners values team-oriented individuals who:
• Communicate clearly and respectfully
• Work cooperatively with shop and office personnel
• Remain alert and safety-conscious
• Take initiative in maintaining a clean and organized shop
• Demonstrate reliability and punctuality
• Understand the seriousness of shop safety and actively work to prevent accidents

Employment with Rainier Welding Partners, LLC is at-will, meaning either you or the company may terminate employment at any time, with or without cause or notice, consistent with applicable law.

As a Shop Helper / Grinder, you will be expected to comply with all company safety policies, wear required personal protective equipment (PPE), and work overtime as necessary to meet project schedules. Our fabrication shop environment requires adherence to strict safety standards and teamwork to ensure quality and timely production.

Rainier Welding is an award-winning, full service, AISC-Certified fabricator of steel and aluminum