Fabrication Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

Engineered Yacht Solutions is seeking a highly experienced and hands-on Fabrication Manager to lead our structural fabrication department at our Fort Lauderdale facility. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in marine steel and aluminum fabrication, with a proven track record in yacht repair and refit projects across a wide range of vessel types and sizes. This is a leadership role requiring equal command of the shop floor and the planning room — someone who can mentor a skilled trades team while driving quality, schedule, and budget outcomes on complex, high-value projects.

Key Responsibilities

Fabrication Leadership

• Oversee all structural fabrication activities including steel and aluminum welding, forming, cutting, fitting, and finishing.

• Lead and manage a team of welders, fabricators, and fitters; assign tasks, monitor performance, and provide hands-on technical guidance.

• Review engineering drawings, structural specifications, and survey reports to plan and execute fabrication scopes.

• Establish and enforce quality control procedures, ensuring all work meets classification society standards and owner/flag state requirements.

• Coordinate closely with project managers, designers, naval architects, and subcontractors to ensure fabrication aligns with overall refit timelines.

Structural Repair & Modification

• Plan and execute structural repairs including hull plating renewals, framing repairs, bulkhead modifications, and deck structural work on steel and aluminum vessels.

• Conduct condition assessments of existing structure in collaboration with surveyors and engineers; recommend and implement repair strategies.

• Manage modifications to superstructure, hull appendages, and internal structure for refit and conversion projects.

• Interpret and work within classification society rules (Lloyd’s, DNV, ABS, RINA, BV) for structural repair approvals.

Operations & Administration

• Develop fabrication work packages including material take-offs, labor estimates, tooling requirements, and production schedules.

• Manage shop consumables, welding equipment, and specialty tooling; oversee maintenance and calibration programs.

• Maintain accurate records of inspection results, weld procedures, NDT reports, and classification documentation.

• Identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives to increase shop throughput, quality, and safety.

• Ensure full compliance with OSHA, NFPA, and yard safety standards; lead toolbox talks and maintain a safety-first culture.

Required Qualifications

Experience

• Minimum 10 years of hands-on structural fabrication experience in a marine environment.

• Minimum 5 years specifically in yacht repair and refit — superyacht experience (40 m+) strongly preferred.

• 5 Years of Leadership experience required. 

• Demonstrated expertise in both steel and aluminum structural fabrication and welding, including plate work, pipe, and complex assemblies.

• Proven supervisory or management experience leading fabrication crews in a boatyard or shipyard setting.

• Direct experience working with classification surveyors and executing classed repairs.

Technical Skills

• Proficiency in MIG, TIG, and stick welding on marine-grade steel (mild, high-strength) and aluminum alloys (5083, 5086, 6061).

• Ability to read and interpret structural drawings, weld symbols, and engineering specifications.

• Familiarity with common NDT methods (UT, dye-penetrant, magnetic particle) and their application in marine repair.

• Working knowledge of weld procedure specifications (WPS) and welder qualification requirements.

• Experience with plasma cutting, oxy-fuel cutting, hydraulic forming, and press brake operations.

• Familiarity with CAD-based nesting or fabrication software is a plus.

Certifications

• AWS CWI (Certified Welding Inspector) or equivalent — preferred.

• OSHA 30-Hour Construction or Maritime certification preferred.

• Valid welder qualifications (AWS D1.1 / D1.2 or equivalent)