Weld Shop Supervisor

  • Plasser American
  • Chesapeake, Virginia
  • Full Time

Some see the railway as transportation, while at Plasser American we see it as transformation. The story of how steel tracks turned the American promise into American progress and forged a trusted pathway to the possibilities of the future. It’s a story that continues today, an American legacy unfolding mile by mile. There is a lot riding on those tracks and we know that support, quality and know-how are all important aspects in staying on track.

That’s why the Plasser American tradition begins with a promise. A promise to do things right. An unapologetic commitment to quality that makes us the longtime trusted leader in cutting edge American made innovations for the North American railway. It’s a promise to see things differently to turn ordinary steel into safer passages. To be a partner that you can count on to engineer solutions for the challenges of today and for the opportunities of tomorrow. From research and design, expert manufacturing and delivering unapparelled services, our customers trust us to keep them ahead of the curve.

Progress is about more than getting from Point A to Point B. It’s knowing you have a trusted foundation to move you forward toward new possibilities waiting around the corner. Join Plasser American to become part of our team forging ahead towards new opportunities in railway maintenance. The railway is a path to the future, choose this path and apply today.

General Scope:
To assist the Plant Director in the direction of the Weld Shop. Supervises workers engaged in layout, fitting, and welding to fabricate structural, wire, or sheet metal products by performing the following duties.

Position Summary:

  • Coordinates with Production Control to requisition materials required to meet production goals.
  • Ensures items produced meet required weld specifications and quality standards.
  • Directly supervises assistant supervisors and workers in the weld shop, including machine operators and welder-fitters.
  • Studies production schedules and estimates labor hours required to complete job assignments.
  • Enforces company policies and safety regulations in accordance with OSHA and internal guidelines.
  • Interprets blueprints, weld symbols, and job orders, and assigns duties accordingly.
  • Adjusts work procedures as needed to meet production schedules and efficiency goals.
  • Recommends improvements in welding methods, tooling, and equipment use to ensure high-quality output.
  • Executes responsibilities of the Quality Assurance program and ensures weld integrity through inspection and testing.
  • Resolves work-related issues and assists employees in problem-solving.
  • Motivates team to achieve daily and long-term performance goals.
  • Maintains daily time, labor, and production records accurately.
  • Conducts first-piece inspections and ensures proper machine setup.
  • May be required to visit customer job sites to evaluate or repair weld-related issues.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Directly supervises 10 to 15 employees in the weld shop. Responsible for interviewing, hiring, training, assigning work, appraising performance, and managing discipline and conflict resolution in accordance with company policies and applicable laws.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Education:
Fifth-year college or university program certificate; or two to four years of related experience and/or training; or an equivalent combination. AWS (American Welding Society) certification is required.

Knowledge:
Proficient in:

  • Steel fabrication and welding processes (MIG, TIG, Stick)
  • Material procurement systems
  • Payroll, ERP, and labor tracking systems (e.g., LN ERP)
  • Welding codes and standards (AWS, ASME)

Skills:

  • Ability to read and interpret blueprints, safety rules, and technical documents
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Ability to perform mathematical calculations (whole numbers, fractions, decimals, metric)
  • Able to compute rates, ratios, and percentages; interpret data and graphs
  • Capable of solving shop-floor problems with limited standardization
  • Certified welder and authorized to test/certify others
  • Knowledgeable in proper use of material handling and rigging equipment
  • Must have valid driver’s license; passport may be required for site visits
  • Excellent time management and leadership skills

Applicable Technical Competencies

Rating Level: 1–5 (1 = minimum, 5 = maximum)

Application

Required

Preferred

Lead, Train, and assist in the entire welding and fabrication process

4

5

Windows / Office Programs

4

5

Infor LN

DLIB

Vault AutoCAD

Personal Attributes

Must demonstrate:

  • Honesty
  • Trustworthiness
  • Respectfulness
  • Punctuality
  • Flexibility
  • Cultural awareness and sensitivity
  • Sound work ethics
  • Integrity

PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

% of Time

Key Accountability

90%

• Lead and assist in the entire welding and fabrication process

• Ensure weld procedures and quality standards are followed

• Coordinate with production to meet delivery schedules

• Support daily operations across fabrication departments

10%

• Review and approve employee time sheets

• Monitor labor efficiency in LN

• Train and certify welders to industry standards

Total: 100%

WORKING CONDITIONS

Physical Demands:
Regular standing, walking, lifting (frequently up to 25 lbs, occasionally up to 50 lbs), climbing, bending, and operating machinery. Must be able to inspect tight weld areas and operate tools or equipment as needed.

Environmental Conditions:
Regular exposure to welding fumes, sparks, high heat, and mechanical equipment. Occasional exposure to weather if working in open or partially enclosed areas. PPE is mandatory.

Sensory Demands:
High attention to visual detail and spatial alignment. Must be able to inspect welds for defects, interpret blueprints, and adjust to high-noise environments.

Mental Demands:
Position requires multitasking, decision-making under pressure, and managing team dynamics and deadlines. Interaction with multiple departments and ongoing problem-solving are regular aspects of the role.

Benefits:

  • Accrue 80 Hours of Paid Time Off during your first year of employment
  • 10 Paid Holidays per year
  • 401(k) match of $0.50 for every $1.00 you contribute up to 6% of your salary
  • You may receive a merit bonus after completion of the audit at the end of the fiscal year
  • Tuition Reimbursement
  • Free Short and Long Term Disability after 90 days of employment
  • Free Life Insurance – 2 times your annual salary
  • Company Events
  • Free employee medical and dental coverage. – valued at $7,500.00

About Plasser American:

As part of the Plasser family brand, which is the largest Maintenance of Way equipment provider in the world, PAC is a rapidly growing provider of railway equipment in North America. Continuing for the next few years, PAC will continue to make significant investments in the North American Market including a new office building and a substantial addition to our manufacturing facility. PAC is making the needed investments to continue its growth trajectory for many years to come. The next several years will be an exciting time of transformation. We look to the future to enhance our team and achieve our goals.

Job ID: 490357593
Originally Posted on: 8/22/2025

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