General Laborer/Production Associate | Steel Pipe | 1st Shift

Position Summary

This hands-on production role supports steel pipe fabrication, machine operation, pipe preparation, material movement, welding support, quality inspection, and general shop operations. Assignments may include fabrication, production, robotics, shipping preparation, and other manufacturing functions based on operational needs. Viking provides on-the-job training in equipment operation, production processes, quality standards, and safety procedures.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Operate fabrication and production equipment including plasma cutting machines, cold saws, threading machines, grooving machines, grinders, and semi-automatic fabrication equipment.
• Support fabrication, production, welding, machine operation, robotics, and material handling activities throughout the fabrication shop.
• Cut, groove, thread, grind, and prepare steel pipe and materials to customer specifications and production requirements.
• Assist with machine operation involving plasma cutting, outlet placement, welding support, and automated fabrication processes.
• Read and interpret work orders, production paperwork, measurements, specifications, and tape measures to ensure production accuracy and quality standards are met.
• Visually inspect fabricated materials, welds, and finished products for defects, dimensional accuracy, and quality compliance.
• Perform grinding, deburring, cleanup, finishing work, and general fabrication support activities.
• Load, unload, stage, organize, and move steel pipe, fittings, and raw materials throughout the production process.
• Bundle, band, label, and prepare finished products for shipment.
• Operate forklifts, pallet jacks, CombiLift equipment, overhead cranes, and other material handling equipment as assigned, after completing required training and authorization.
• Troubleshoot minor production or machine issues and communicate equipment or quality concerns to leadership.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe fabrication and production environment.
• Follow all company safety procedures, PPE requirements, lockout/tagout procedures, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Complete required operational, safety, and production training while demonstrating acceptable competency and performance standards.
• Support additional operational and production needs as assigned by Fabrication Leadership or Branch Operations Management.

Qualifications

• Previous manufacturing, fabrication, warehouse, machine operation, production, construction, mechanical, or general labor experience preferred.
• Previous steel fabrication, welding, robotics, or industrial production experience is a plus but is not required.
• Mechanical aptitude and ability to safely operate hand tools, power tools, fabrication equipment, and production machinery.
• Forklift or other material handling experience preferred.
• Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Ability to work safely in a fast-paced fabrication and manufacturing environment.
• Ability to read a tape measure and perform basic math calculations.
• Ability to read and follow work instructions, production schedules, blueprints, or fabrication specifications preferred.
• Ability to adapt to changing production schedules, workflow demands, and operational priorities.
• Willingness to learn fabrication processes, welding support functions, robotics, and machine operation through hands-on training.
• No specific degree or certification is required for entry-level consideration. Equipment-specific training and demonstrated competency are required before independent operation.

Physical Demands

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, twist, climb, and perform repetitive physical work throughout the shift.
• Ability to frequently lift, move, and carry materials up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to safely work around moving machinery, forklifts, cranes, sparks, welding operations, and fabrication equipment.
• Ability to work in an industrial fabrication environment with exposure to noise, dust, heat, sparks, fumes, and other production-related conditions.
• Essential functions must be performed with or without reasonable accommodation. Use appropriate lifting equipment or team assistance when needed for safe material handling.
• Requires sustained attention to measurements, equipment operation, material movement, and product quality. Coordinates hand and eye movements when operating tools, preparing pipe, inspecting materials, and working around moving equipment.

Work Environment

• Works in an industrial fabrication and manufacturing environment with exposure to noise, dust, heat, sparks, fumes, moving machinery, forklifts, cranes, and welding operations. Production schedules and assignments may change with operational needs.
• Required PPE includes safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves, steel-toed footwear, welding PPE, and other protective equipment appropriate to the task.

Equipment Used

• Plasma cutting equipment
• Cold saws and band saws
• Pipe grooving and threading machines
• Grinders and hand tools
• Semi-automatic fabrication and welding equipment
• Forklifts and material handling equipment
• Overhead cranes and lifting devices
• Pneumatic banding and fastening tools
• Robotics and automated fabrication equipment
• May also use pallet jacks, CombiLift equipment, hand trucks, wrenches, screwdrivers, and other hand or power tools.
• Equipment assignments depend on location and operational needs. Training is provided on the job; training duration varies by equipment, prior experience, and demonstrated competency.