Panel Fabrication Foreman

Overview:

The Panel Fabrication Foreman will lead and supervise daily operations of the panel shop, overseeing the fabrication, assembly, and testing of pneumatic, electrical, PLC, and hydraulic control panels. This role requires a hands-on leader with strong technical knowledge, the ability to manage a team of technicians, and the organizational skills to ensure projects are delivered safely, on time, and to the highest quality standards. The Foreman will also assist with bidding and estimating panel fabrication projects, providing accurate labor and material estimates to support proposals and ensure competitiveness in the marketplace.

Responsibilities:

- Supervise, schedule, and coordinate shop personnel to meet project deadlines and quality standards.

- Oversee fabrication and assembly of pneumatic, electrical, PLC, and hydraulic control panels according to engineering drawings, schematics, and customer specifications.

- Review design packages, drawings, and bills of material to ensure accuracy before work begins.

- Assist with bidding and estimating by reviewing project scopes, drawings, and specifications to develop accurate labor hours, material requirements, and cost estimates.

- Provide input to sales and project management teams during the proposal stage to improve accuracy and competitiveness.

- Ensure compliance with all applicable codes and standards (e.g., NEC, NFPA, API, UL, IEC, ISO).

- Train and mentor shop personnel in proper wiring, tubing, hydraulic assembly, and testing procedures.

- Manage inventory of parts, tools, and materials; coordinate with purchasing to avoid shortages.

- Conduct inspections and quality checks during all stages of panel construction.

- Coordinate testing, simulation, and FAT (Factory Acceptance Testing) with engineering and QA teams.

- Maintain a safe, clean, and organized shop environment in compliance with company safety policies.

- Report project progress, resource needs, and any issues to management.

Qualifications:

- High school diploma or equivalent; technical degree or trade school certification preferred.

- 7+ years’ experience in control panel fabrication (electrical, pneumatic, PLC, and/or hydraulic). - 3+ years in a supervisory or lead role in a manufacturing, fabrication, or industrial environment.

- Strong knowledge of industrial control systems, instrumentation, and automation.

- Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, P&IDs, loop diagrams, and assembly drawings.

- Hands-on skills in wiring, conduit, pneumatic/hydraulic tubing, and panel layout.

- Familiarity with PLC hardware (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, etc.) and industrial communication networks.

- Working knowledge of safety regulations, industry standards, and best practices.

- Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.

- Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.

- Experience with bidding and estimating, including developing labor and material estimates for panel fabrication projects.

- Proficiency with MS Office.