MIDWEST CUSTOM ENGINEERING INC.
Precision · Quality · Integrity
Job Description & Duties
Shop Fabricator / Assembler — Entry-Level
Position Title Shop Fabricator / Assembler
Department Manufacturing / Shop
Reports To Shop Supervisor / Production Manager
Classification Full-Time, Hourly (Non-Exempt)
Experience Level: Entry-Level or skilled & Willing to Train
Compensation Range: DOE
1. Role Mission
Build and finish custom OEM equipment and replacement parts to print, on time, and to a standard we are proud to
put our name on. This is a hands-on shop role covering welding, grinding, painting, and assembly on hammer mills,
coolers, complete systems, and replacement parts. The right person does not need to arrive knowing all of it — they
need to show up on time, work safe, take direction, and take ownership of the quality of what leaves their bench.
Because we are a smaller shop, this role is deliberately broad. Everyone here helps where the work is, including
sweeping the floor, unloading a truck, and helping crate an order that has to ship today.
2. Core Duties & Responsibilities
The duties below are the day-to-day expectations for this position. This section is written so it can also be used as a
standing expectations sheet during onboarding, the 90-day review, and annual reviews.
A. Welding & Fabrication
• Perform MIG welding (and stick or flux-core as assigned) on carbon steel structural and plate parts, under
supervision until qualified to work independently.
• Lay out, fit, tack, and weld parts and weldments from shop drawings, cut lists, and Bills of Materials.
• Set up and adjust welder settings — wire speed, voltage, gas flow — for the material thickness and joint being
welded.
• Cut and prepare material using band saw, chop saw, shear, plasma or oxy-fuel torch as assigned.
• Drill, punch, tap, bevel, and deburr parts as required by the drawing.
• Check fit-up, squareness, and critical dimensions before final welding — catch the problem at tack, not after the
part is welded solid.
• Straighten, repair, and rework parts as directed rather than scrapping material when a repair is acceptable.
• Keep welding leads, guns, tips, liners, and ground clamps in working order; report equipment problems
immediately.
B. Grinding, Cutting & Surface Prep
• Grind welds to the specified finish — smooth, flush, or as-welded — using angle grinders, die grinders, belt
sanders, and flap discs.
• Remove slag, spatter, burrs, and sharp edges from all parts before they move to the next operation.
• Prep surfaces for paint: grind, sand, wire-wheel, scuff, and clean mill scale, rust, oil, and cutting fluid off parts.
• Use the correct wheel or disc for the job and inspect abrasives for cracks or wear before mounting.
• Never remove or defeat a guard on a grinder or saw.
• Keep grinding and cutting confined to designated areas to control sparks, dust, and fire risk.
C. Painting & Coating
• Mask, plug, and protect machined surfaces, bearing bores, threads, nameplates, and shafts before paint.
• Mix, thin, and strain paint to the manufacturer's specification and the customer's color requirement.
• Apply primer and finish coats with airless, HVLP, or conventional spray equipment to the required film thickness
and appearance.
• Touch up parts damaged in handling, assembly, or shipping prep.
• Clean spray guns, lines, tips, and pots immediately after use; handle and store paint, solvent, and rags per label
and shop procedure.
• Track dry times so painted parts are not moved, stacked, or assembled before the coating has cured.
• Keep the paint area, booth filters, and ventilation clean and functioning; report problems to the supervisor.
D. Assembly
• Assemble sub-assemblies and complete machines from drawings, BOMs, and assembly instructions.
• Install hardware, bearings, shafts, hammers, rods, screens, liners, doors, guards, gearboxes, motors, sheaves, and
belts as specified.
• Torque fasteners to spec, use the correct thread locker, sealant, and gasket, and verify hardware grade and
quantity against the BOM.
• Align, shim, level, and set clearances so components run true.
• Verify part numbers and counts against the BOM before assembly — flag a shortage or wrong part instead of
substituting.
• Function-check assemblies where applicable (rotation, free movement, door and latch operation, guard fit)
before sign-off.
• Install nameplates, decals, guards, and safety labels on every unit before it ships.
E. Shop Organization, Housekeeping & Tooling
• Keep the work area, bench, and floor clean and clear throughout the shift, not just at the end of the day.
• Return tools, fixtures, clamps, slings, and gauges to their assigned locations after use.
• Organize and label raw material, cut stock, remnants, and hardware so the next person can find it.
• Sweep, empty scrap and cut-off bins, and keep aisles, exits, electrical panels, and fire extinguishers clear at all
times.
• Segregate scrap and recyclable metal into the correct containers.
• Help maintain shop supply levels — wire, gas, discs, tips, consumables, paint, fasteners — and tell the supervisor
before something runs out, not after.
• Perform basic upkeep on shop equipment (cleaning, lubrication, filter and blade changes) as assigned.
F. Material Handling, Receiving & Shipping Support
• Move material and finished parts safely using overhead crane, hoists, slings, jib, forklift, and pallet jack (training
and authorization provided).
• Rig and lift loads properly — correct sling and hook, verified capacity, no one under a suspended load.
• Assist with receiving: unload trucks, verify incoming material against the packing slip and PO, note damage or
shortage, and stock the material where it belongs.
• Assist with shipping: skid, block, band, crate, wrap, and label orders so they arrive undamaged.
• Help load outbound trucks and support the Shipping function on ready-to-ship orders.
G. Quality & Documentation
• Work to the drawing, revision, and BOM provided — if the drawing and the part disagree, stop and ask; do not
guess.
• Measure and verify your own work with tape, square, calipers, and levels before calling an operation complete.
• Report drawing errors, missing dimensions, BOM quantity mismatches, and unclear specs to the supervisor so
Engineering can correct them.
• Record job time, quantities completed, and material used accurately on the shop paperwork or job traveler.
• Flag scrap, rework, and out-of-spec material rather than hiding it or passing it down the line.
H. Safety & Compliance
• Follow all MCE safety procedures and wear required PPE at all times: safety glasses, hearing protection, welding
helmet, gloves, respirator in the paint area, and appropriate footwear.
• Report unsafe conditions, injuries and accidents, and equipment malfunctions immediately, per the Employee
Policy & Procedures Manual.
• Follow hot-work, fire-watch, lockout/tagout, and confined-space procedures where they apply.
• Know the location of extinguishers, eye wash, first aid, and exits.
• Do not operate equipment you have not been trained and authorized to use.
• Failure to follow safety rules may result in immediate corrective action.
I. Teamwork & General
• Arrive on time, prepared to work at the scheduled start time; notify the supervisor as soon as possible if late or
absent.
• Follow instructions and company procedures, and take ownership of mistakes and correct them promptly.
• Treat coworkers, customers, and vendors with respect.
• Help other departments and pick up other duties as assigned — in a shop this size, the job description ends
where the customer's need begins.
• Wear the company-issued MCE logo shirt and maintain a clean, safe, professional appearance.
3. Required Skills & Qualifications
• High school diploma or GED, or equivalent shop experience.
• Ability to read a tape measure and work in fractional and decimal inches.
• Basic mechanical aptitude and comfort with hand and power tools.
• Willingness to learn to read shop drawings and Bills of Materials.
• Reliable attendance and transportation.
• Ability to take direction, ask questions, and work as part of a small team.
• Ability to work safely in an industrial shop environment and follow PPE requirements without reminders.
Preferred (Not Required — We Will Train)
• Prior MIG welding experience or welding coursework / vo-tech training.
• Experience with industrial paint or powder coating.
• Forklift or overhead crane experience.
• Prior experience in a fabrication, machine, or equipment manufacturing shop.
• Interest in earning a welding certification over time.
4. Physical Requirements & Work Environment
• Regularly lift and carry up to 50 lbs; occasionally more with help or lifting equipment.
• Stand, walk, bend, kneel, squat, reach overhead, and climb ladders or steps for the full shift.
• Work in a shop environment with noise, dust, welding fumes, paint solvents, sparks, and seasonal heat and cold.
• Use of respirator and other PPE as required for painting and welding operations.
• Overtime and occasional Saturdays as production demand requires.
5. Performance Expectations
First 30 Days
• Complete safety orientation; know shop rules, PPE requirements, and emergency procedures.
• Learn shop layout, tool and material locations, and who to ask for what.
• Perform grinding, prep, paint masking, housekeeping, and basic assembly tasks with supervision.
By 60 Days
• Read a basic shop drawing and pull material from a cut list with minimal help.
• Run assigned welds on non-critical parts to acceptable quality with spot-checks.
• Complete assigned assembly and paint prep work with limited direction.
By 90 Days — Probationary Review
All new employees are subject to a 90-day probationary period. At review, the supervisor evaluates job performance,
attendance and reliability, safety compliance, and teamwork and cultural fit.
• Works independently on routine welding, grinding, painting, and assembly tasks.
• Consistently on time, present, and ready to work at start of shift.
• Zero safety violations; PPE worn without being told.
• Work area kept clean and organized as a habit.
• Paperwork and job time recorded accurately and on time.
• Speaks up on drawing errors, shortages, and quality problems instead of working around them.
6. Growth Path
This position is intended to grow. A person who proves out on the fundamentals can move toward certified welder,
lead fabricator, assembly lead, or a specialized role in paint or machining, with company support for training and
certification.
7. Employment Terms
Employment with Midwest Custom Engineering is at-will: either the employee or the company may terminate
employment at any time, with or without cause and with or without notice. No policy, manager statement, or
document alters at-will status unless explicitly stated in writing and signed by the President / CEO.
Midwest Custom Engineering provides equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex,
age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other protected classification under applicable law.
This job description outlines the primary duties of the position and is not an exhaustive list. Duties may be added,
changed, or reassigned as business needs required!
