Shop Foreman

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. Shop Foreman 2015 Renard Court, Annapolis, MD 21401 $35

• $45 an hour
• Full-time $35
• $45 an hour
• Full-time

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.