Vessel Shop Fabrication Shop Foreman

Smith Industries•Midland, TX

11d•Onsite

About The Position

The Vessel Shop Fabrication Foreman leads the daily execution of an assigned vessel production line. This hands-on, floor-based leadership role is responsible for crew assignments, safe work practices, fabrication quality, labor productivity, and production progress. The foreman works with the Production Manager, Quality, Engineering, Material Management, and other supervisors to ensure work follows approved drawings, applicable API and ASME requirements, and company procedures. Smith Industries fabricates oil and gas surface production equipment for operators across the Permian Basin. The company has provided design engineering, drafting, procurement, fabrication, and modular construction since 2004 and is locally owned in Midland, Texas.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent relevant work experience.
At least five years of relevant vessel fabrication experience, including at least two years in a lead or supervisory role.
Demonstrated experience supervising vessel fit-up, assembly, and welding activities in a production environment.
Ability to read fabrication drawings, weld symbols, bills of material, and work instructions.
Working knowledge of applicable API and ASME fabrication requirements, approved welding procedures, inspection hold points, and material traceability.
Ability to recognize material defects, dimensional discrepancies, and workmanship issues and coordinate appropriate resolution.
Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, including the ability to hold crews accountable and work across departments.
Ability to maintain accurate production and timekeeping records.
Ability to work a flexible schedule as production needs require.
Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without current or future employment visa sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

Experience with ASME pressure vessels and oil and gas surface production equipment.
Experience using digital work orders, production tracking, or timekeeping systems.
Bilingual communication skills in English and Spanish or English and Hakha Chin.
The preferred qualifications section lists a high school diploma or equivalent work experience and 3+ years of fabrication experience, including 2+ years in a lead or supervisory role.

Responsibilities

Plan and assign daily work based on work orders, crew skills, material availability, and priorities set by the Production Manager; communicate targets and monitor progress throughout the shift.
Verify approved drawing packets, materials, pick tickets, weld maps, and applicable CNC files are available before work begins; promptly escalate incomplete releases, shortages, and drawing questions.
Oversee vessel fit-up, shell and head assembly, nozzle orientation, internals, supports, and dimensional checks against approved drawings; prevent unauthorized changes and coordinate technical questions with Engineering and Quality.
Confirm assigned welders have required qualifications and follow approved welding procedure specifications; coordinate qualification and training needs with Quality.
Enforce safety requirements, conduct crew safety meetings, maintain PPE availability, stop unsafe work, report incidents and near misses, and maintain orderly work areas and safe access.
Inspect tools, fabrication equipment, and lifting accessories within assigned responsibilities; report defects and coordinate maintenance needs.
Ensure work is ready for inspection and required inspection hold points are observed; coordinate with Quality and ensure repairs are completed and accepted before release to the next operation.
Maintain material identification and traceability through fabrication; coordinate staging, shortages, transfers, and unused material returns with Material Management.
Track actual labor hours against work-order budgets; review timesheets, confirm labor charging, and authorize overtime only within established approval limits.
Report production status, labor variances, rework, inspection holds, and constraints to the Production Manager; recommend and execute agreed recovery actions.
Coach employees in fabrication methods, workmanship, procedures, and work instructions; support orientation, assess craft skills, and recommend development or corrective action through established processes.
Address employee concerns professionally and coordinate personnel matters with the Production Manager and Human Resources.
Ensure fabrication and department records are complete, accurate, and organized.
Provide clear shift handovers covering work status, shortages, inspection holds, and next steps.
Perform other duties as assigned.