Read This Before Applying

Do not apply for this job if you don't care about the quality of the work you produce.

If your attitude is "good enough," if you need someone constantly checking behind you, or if you see a mistake and hope nobody notices it, this probably isn't the shop for you.

We're looking for the opposite.

We want someone who takes pride in being good at their trade. Someone who notices when something isn't right and fixes it before it becomes someone else's problem. Someone who can look at a job, figure out what needs to happen, and get it moving without waiting to be told every step.

This is a Lead Hand Welder Fabricator position. The "Lead Hand" part matters just as much as the "Welder Fabricator" part.

About Metal District Fabrication

Metal District Fabrication is a custom welding, fabrication, machining, and repair shop in Woodside, Nova Scotia.

We don't manufacture the same part 500 times.

Our work ranges from small repair jobs and custom fabrication to equipment repairs, structural work, mobile welding, industrial shutdowns, and one-off projects that require some actual thought to figure out.

We work with steel, stainless steel, and aluminum and use a variety of welding, cutting, and fabrication processes.

Because we're a smaller shop, good employees get a lot of freedom—but that freedom comes with responsibility.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for an experienced Welder Fabricator who is ready to take on more responsibility within the shop.

You should be the type of person other tradespeople naturally come to when they have a question.

You don't need to know everything, but you need to be capable of figuring things out.

You should be able to receive a drawing, sketch, damaged piece of equipment, or sometimes simply an explanation of what the customer needs and turn it into a finished product we're comfortable putting our name on.

You should also be comfortable helping less-experienced employees improve their work and holding the people around you to a reasonable standard.

Responsibilities

- Perform custom welding, fabrication, and repair work.
- Help coordinate jobs and workflow within the shop.
- Provide direction and technical guidance to other welders and apprentices.
- Review work for fit, finish, accuracy, and overall quality before it leaves the shop.
- Identify problems early and help develop practical solutions.
- Read and interpret drawings, sketches,



measurements, and customer requirements.
- Lay out, fit, fabricate, and assemble custom components.
- Perform mobile welding and repair work at customer sites when required.
- Operate cutting and preparation equipment including:
- Oxy-acetylene torches
- Plasma cutters
- Carbon arc gouging equipment
- Grinders, saws, drills, and other common fabrication equipment
- Help keep jobs organized and moving efficiently.
- Maintain tools and equipment.
- Maintain a safe and reasonably organized work workplace.
- Communicate problems instead of allowing them to become someone else's surprise.

Welding Experience

Applicants should be comfortable with:

- FCAW / flux-core welding
- Gasless flux-core, including portable wire feeders
- SMAW / stick welding
- GMAW / MIG welding
- Carbon arc gouging
- Oxy-fuel cutting
- Plasma cutting

TIG welding experience is an asset, but it is not the primary focus of this position.

What Matters to Us

Quality.

If you wouldn't accept the work yourself, don't send it to the customer.

Ownership.

Mistakes happen. Hiding them, ignoring them, or blaming somebody else is the problem.

Problem solving.

We don't want every problem brought to management with the question, "What do you want me to do?"

We want people who can say:

"Here's the problem. Here's what I think caused it. Here's how I think we should fix it."

Independence.

We hire tradespeople because we want their experience and judgment. We don't want to stand over someone's shoulder all day telling them how to do their job.

Leadership.

Being Lead Hand doesn't mean being the loudest person in the shop.

It means setting the standard, helping the people around you succeed, and taking responsibility when a job needs someone to step up.

This Job Probably Isn't For You If:

- You only care whether a weld will "hold."
- You regularly need someone else to find your mistakes.
- You need detailed instructions before starting every task.
- You don't like being responsible for the finished product.




- You walk past problems because they're "not your job."
- You think being experienced means you have nothing left to learn.
- You aren't comfortable helping or correcting less-experienced tradespeople.
- You want to punch the clock, do the minimum, and go home.

There's nothing wrong with wanting a job where you simply complete the task you're given.

This just isn't that position.

This Job Might Be For You If:

You take pride in walking away from a finished job knowing it was done properly.

You like difficult repair jobs.

You like figuring things out.

You enjoy having variety in your work.

You want your experience to be trusted instead of being micromanaged.

You want to help build a shop rather than simply work in one.

And when something leaves the shop with your name associated with it, you want it to be something you're proud of.

What We Offer

- Full-time, 40-hour work weeks
- Monday to Friday schedule
- Overtime opportunities
- Benefits after probation
- Commission opportunities for employees who want to participate
- Both shop and mobile work
- A wide variety of projects
- Significant independence for people who demonstrate they can handle it
- Opportunity to take a meaningful leadership role as the company grows

How to Apply

Send your resume and a short introduction outlining your welding/fabrication experience to:

[email protected]

We're less interested in a perfectly written cover letter than we are in hearing what you've worked on, what you're good at, and what type of work you actually enjoy doing.

Pay: $21.00-$35.00 per hour

Benefits:

- Dental care
- Disability insurance
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- Vision care

Application question(s):

- Applicants must already be legally authorized to work in Canada. Metal District Fabrication is not able to provide immigration sponsorship, including LMIA support or employer-sponsored permanent residency pathways.
- An in person interview is required before a formal position will be offered. Are you prepared to come for an interview in a timely manner?
- What city/ town are you living in?

Experience:

- Welding: 8 years (required)
- Metal fabrication: 8 years (required)

Language:

- English (required)

Licence/Certification:

- Driving Licence (required)

Location:

- Dartmouth, NS B2Y 4T2 (preferred)

Work Location: In person

📌 Lead Welder/Fabricator – Custom Fabrication & Repair (Canada)
🏢 Metal District Fabrication
📍 Canada