Fabricator / Welder

Job Description What it's like to be a fabricator at BAE Systems? First, at BAE Systems, we get to develop and enhance tooling, equipment, and weapons to support our nation’s Soldiers, Sailors and Marines.

As a Fabricator / Welder at BAE Systems, you'll work on cutting-edge projects and help design and build advanced defense systems. Your day-to-day tasks involve fabricating, assembling, and welding parts, prototypes, and structures from engineering drawings, sketches, and verbal instructions.
This role works a 5:30 a.m.-3 p.m. 9/80 schedule with every other Friday off and includes about 10% travel with up to several weeks at a time at testing sites in California.

You'll have the opportunity to use state-of-the-art materials including metals, composites, and experimental materials. Whether you’re laying out parts for vehicle installations, performing precision welding, or making emergency fixes, your work will directly contribute to the safety, efficiency, and performance of critical defense systems.

At BAE Systems, you’ll collaborate with engineers and technicians, often working independently on complex projects but also receiving support and guidance from your team when needed. Safety and quality are top priorities, and you’ll be part of a company that values both innovation and attention to detail. If you’re passionate about fabrication, problem-solving, and contributing to national security, BAE Systems offers an exciting and rewarding career.

Job Summary:
The Fabricator / Welder / Assembler is responsible for the layout, fabrication, welding, and assembly of parts, prototypes structures, templates, and experimental materials or hardware. This role requires working with a variety of materials and creating parts or assemblies with involved designs for experimental projects.

Work Environment:

• The Fabricator/Assembler will work primarily in a shop environment with regular use of fabrication tools and equipment.
• This position requires standing, bending, and lifting heavy materials and equipment regularly.
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn when operating fabrication tools or working with certain materials.

Key Responsibilities:

• Create and perform layout of parts, assemblies, and structures based on blueprints, schematics, design specifications, engineering drawings, sketches, and verbal instructions, with layouts ranging from average to high complexity.
• Use math to perform precise layouts for vehicle installations, mockups, or deliverable items.
• Accurately fabricate and build parts and assemblies using various materials such as metals, composites, plastics, and other experimental materials.
• Rebuild or modify existing experimental hardware or materials, ensuring functionality and precision.
• Select and secure necessary tools and materials for each task, ensuring compliance with established procedures.
• Work with a variety of materials or hardware, including prototypes and unique one-off builds.
• Use precision fabrication techniques to ensure all materials and components are manufactured to the correct tolerances and specifications.
• Weld and assemble parts, structures, and experimental prototypes to meet engineering and quality standards.
• Create and fabricate structural elements, ensuring durability and functionality for testing or operational use.
• Operate a variety of tools and equipment for cutting, shaping, routing, punching, drilling, forming, rolling, grinding, welding, milling, turning and measuring.
• Operate forklifts, overhead cranes, jib cranes, and hoists to move materials and equipment.
• Ensure proper use of all fabrication equipment, including performing maintenance and safety checks on tools to ensure their proper working condition.
• Investigate and report variances or discrepancies in drawings or work to the supervisor and provide progress updates on ongoing projects.
• Collaborate with engineering and design teams to ensure that all fabricated parts meet project specifications and requirements.
• Train and instruct lower-classified technicians in all aspects of the fabrication process, including the use of tools, equipment, and layout techniques.
• Inspect and check the work of other prototype manufacturing technicians when directed by supervisors.
• Touch up primed and painted surfaces as necessary.
• Ensure full attention is given to the prevention of personal injury and injury to others by following all safety protocols and using proper safety equipment.
• Document all work completed, including layouts, prototypes, and modifications, to ensure accurate records for future reference or further development.

Full-Time Salary Range: $75,026 - $88,234

This position is covered under a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which will determine your wages.

Employee Benefits: At BAE Systems, we support our employees in all aspects of their life including health and financial well-being. Benefits for Union employees are governed by a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), so your benefits may differ from those described here. Generally, employees are offered: health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts; a 401(k) savings plan; disability coverage; and life and accident insurance. We also have an employee assistance program, a legal plan, and other perks including discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance. Our leave programs include paid time off, paid holidays, as well as other types of leave, which may include military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave. Employees may participate in the company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards. Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics.Required Education, Experience, & Skills

• High School Diploma or equivalent required and 3-5 years of experience in fabrication, welding, and assembly, preferably working with experimental materials or prototypes.
• Experience reading and interpreting schematics, blueprints, engineering drawings and technical documents.
• Proven experience working on fabrication tasks.
• Demonstrated experience of welding techniques (MIG, TIG, arc welding) and the operation tools and machinery (hand tools, power tools, and fabrication equipment)
• Knowledge of how to work with various materials, including metals, composites, and experimental materials.
• Strong attention to detail, ensuring precise fabrication and assembly.
• Excellent critical thinking and ability to troubleshoot fabrication issues.
• Understanding of basic math for accurate layout work.
• Knowledge of safety protocols and the experience to consistently maintain a safe work environment.
• Knowledge of how to mentor and train junior staff.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.

Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills

• Technical training or certification in welding, fabrication, or manufacturing.

About BAE Systems Platforms & Services BAE Systems, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of BAE Systems plc, an international defense, aerospace and security company which delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. Improving the future and protecting lives is an ambitious mission, but it’s what we do at BAE Systems. Working here means using your passion and ingenuity where it counts – defending national security with breakthrough technology, superior products, and intelligence solutions. As you develop the latest technology and defend national security, you will continually hone your skills on a team—making a big impact on a global scale. At BAE Systems, you’ll find a rewarding career that truly makes a difference.

The Platforms & Services (P&S) sector under BAE Systems, Inc does the big stuff: the armored combat vehicles, naval guns, missile launchers, and naval ship repair…just to name a few. Our employees take pride in the work they do and why they do it. They are on the front lines every day, building our products to protect the lives of those who serve. We may be biased, but we think P&S does some of the coolest work around, and we think you will too.