Rigger/Millwright

MEI Rigging & Crating•Southbridge, MA

16d

About The Position

The Rigger/Millwright sets up, assembles, or disassembles job-specific rigging, selecting suitable gear and equipment based on the size, weight, dimensions, and movement area of machinery and other loads. The role safely secures machinery, tools, and equipment for relocation or transportation, and may control, manipulate, fabricate, and repair rigging and support structures. Communication with operators and coworkers uses hand signals, flag signals, and/or verbal instructions. When not rigging, the employee may drive a commercial vehicle, perform maintenance or welding and fabrication, assist with warehouse activities, or carry out other necessary tasks. The work is physical and hands-on, requiring considerable use of the arms and legs and whole-body movement, including climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials weighing up to 50 pounds. The employee must be able to work at varying heights, around moving machinery, and outdoors or in non-temperature-controlled environments in all types of weather and over uneven terrain. The position emphasizes safety awareness, teamwork, honesty, integrity, professionalism, pride in work, open communication, and delivering quality service to MEI customers. The listed duties and requirements are not exhaustive; MEI may change or modify them as necessary.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent preferred for general Rigger positions; required for advanced positions.
Ability to take direction and closely follow instructions.
Ability to visualize or predict job outcomes using deductive and inductive reasoning.
Ability to use precision measuring tools and equipment, including hand, power, and pneumatic tools.
Ability to use a tape measure, levels, calipers, and gauges, and to use welding and cutting tools as necessary.
Ability to correctly estimate the weight-bearing capacity of tools and equipment.
Ability to read blueprints, schematics, or technical manuals as required.
Familiarity with hand or flag signals, including their use and meaning.
Willingness to learn, know, and follow safety requirements, including proper use of Personal Protective Equipment.
Valid driver’s license; a CDL and/or endorsements may be required for certain positions.
For advanced positions (Rigger 3; Lead Rigger 1, 2, 3, or 4; Rigging Foreman): three to five years of rigging or directly relatable experience.
For advanced positions: ability to supervise others and manage their time efficiently.
For advanced positions: knowledge of employee life-cycle processes, including hiring and firing, employee relations, or employment changes.
For advanced positions: advanced use of or knowledge in jack skating, leveling tools, dollies, and related equipment.
For advanced positions: ability to instruct, guide, and/or mentor others in safety protocol and standard rigging practices.
Ability to perform physical work involving climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials weighing up to 50 pounds.
Ability to work off the ground at varying heights and around moving machinery or parts.
Willingness and ability to work in non-temperature-controlled environments and/or outdoors in all types of weather, including over uneven ground or terrain.
Ability to work in a high-functioning team environment and demonstrate honesty, integrity, and professionalism.

Nice To Haves

Higher education for advanced Rigger positions.
Additional years of experience for advanced Rigger positions.
CDL and/or endorsements for positions that require them.

Responsibilities

Visually inspect and test rigging materials to ensure safety and reliability.
Align, level, and anchor machinery or equipment.
Use hand and/or power tools to attach loads to rigging for support or movement, and secure machinery or equipment against movement when needed.
Select appropriate rigging gear, such as cables, pulleys, vices, and winches, according to load weight and size, work area, and job specifications.
Monitor obstacles, surrounding structures, barriers, objects, and the location of other people.
Signal or verbally communicate with workers involved in hoisting, suspending, and moving loads to protect workers and materials.
Manipulate rigging lines, hoists, and pulling gear to move or support materials, heavy equipment, and machinery.
Control heavy equipment through narrow openings or confined spaces using equipment such as chain falls, gin poles, and gallows frames.
Tilt, dip, and turn suspended loads to maneuver around obstacles using multi-point suspension techniques.
Install ground rigging for yarding lines using chokers and logs, and other tools as necessary.
Assist with fabricating, setting up, and repairing rigging, support structures, hoists, and pulling gear using hand and power tools.
Attach pulleys and blocks to fixed overhead structures, such as beams, ceilings, and gin pole booms, using bolts and clamps.
Dismantle, inspect, clean, organize, and store rigging equipment after use.
Run, operate, maneuver, navigate, or drive vehicles or mechanized equipment such as forklifts, scissor lifts, and aerial lifts.
When not rigging, potentially drive a commercial vehicle, perform maintenance or welding and fabrication, assist with warehouse activities, or perform other necessary tasks.
Maintain safety awareness for oneself and everyone at the job site, work effectively in a team, and communicate openly.