Chilliwack, BC | Full time | On site

The Opportunity AdvanTec Marine builds large carbon steel doors and hatches for icebreakers, naval and military vessels. Much of this work is Canadian content that has to be built in Canada, and the order book runs well into the future. They have won significant new contracts in the last two years, and this department is where that growth lands.

They are building out the team, tightening the link between engineering and the shop floor, and equipping the floor for bigger projects. They want a leader who enjoys that challenge, will be straight with the crew, and can keep people calm and focused on the work when deadlines get tight.

You will report to the General Manager, who came up through the shop himself, leads by example and does not micromanage.

What You'll Do

Lead the shop floor day to day: a crew of welder fabricators and a millwright for electrical and hydraulic installation, growing as projects ramp up

Set and coordinate work priorities with engineering, purchasing and sales, and keep the crew busy and productive

Review drawings before they reach the floor, catch problems early and work with engineering to fix them

Monitor efficiency, quality and other shop KPIs, and drive improvements

Support bids and new projects: review proposals and estimate fabrication hours

Lead by example: get hands-on when needed to show the right way to do the work

Coach and develop the team, including bringing welders through Lloyd's Register certification

Represent the company at factory acceptance tests with customers, auditors and military representatives

Help build out the floor: jigs, fixtures, welding tables and new equipment,



and evaluate robotics and automation

What We're Looking For

A solid fabrication background: Red Seal fabricator preferred, with at least 5 years of experience and ideally 10 or more. Someone with many years of proven skill and no Red Seal will also be considered

Previous experience leading a team on a shop floor

Very good communication, because the role sits between engineering and production

Strong drawing and detail skills

Comfort with the pace of a busy shop and with meetings and project work alongside the floor

Ability to pass RCMP fingerprinting with a clean criminal record

Nice to have:

Lloyd's Register or CWB welding certification (they can put the right person through the Lloyd's test)

Marine or shipbuilding experience

Experience with demanding customers and factory acceptance tests

Experience with robotic or automated welding

Experience setting up fabrication fixtures, tooling and a shop floor

What We Offer

A competitive compensation package, based on experience

RRSP matching program

Group benefits and vacation

Company cell phone

Stable, high-value work with long-term customers, and real room to grow as the department expands

Investment in modern equipment and a say in how the floor is set up

A workplace where many people have long tenure

About AdvanTec Marine AdvanTec Marine designs, engineers and builds specialty marine closures, including doors and hatches, at its Chilliwack facility. Customers include major shipyards and naval programs. The company is growing, investing in new equipment and automation, and looking for people who want to build something that lasts.

📌 Custom Fabrication Team Lead (Chilliwack)
🏢 Adaptive Talent
📍 Chilliwack