Welding Shop Lead 📍Fort Worth, TX 💲$36.00–$38.00 per hour 🕒Full-Time | Non-Exempt
Lead. Build. Launch. Are you a highly skilled welder with leadership experience and a passion for quality craftsmanship? AGC Heat Transfer is seeking an experienced Welding Shop Lead to help launch and lead our welding department at our growing Fort Worth Service Center. This is a unique opportunity to play a key role in building a welding operation from the ground up while leading a team, driving quality, and contributing to products that support food safety and sanitation across North America. If you're a hands-on leader who thrives in a manufacturing environment and enjoys mentoring others, solving challenges, and delivering exceptional work, we want to hear from you. Why AGC Heat Transfer? AGC Heat Transfer is a leading OEM manufacturer of sanitary plate heat exchangers serving the food, beverage, dairy, and sanitary processing industries. Our products and services help customers maintain safe, efficient, and reliable operations. At AGC, we believe our people make the difference. We foster a culture built on collaboration, innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.
What You'll Enjoy ✅ Competitive pay: $36.00–$38.00 per hour ✅ 401(k) with employer match ✅ Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance ✅ Health Savings Account (if eligible) ✅ Life & Disability Insurance ✅ Paid Vacation, Sick Time & Holidays ✅ Employee Assistance Program ✅ Wellness Program ✅ Growth and development opportunities ✅ A chance to lead a new welding operation and make a lasting impact
What You'll Do As the Welding Shop Lead, you'll combine your technical welding expertise with leadership responsibilities to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality production. Key Responsibilities
Lead, support, and mentor a team of welders
Assign daily work and monitor productivity, quality, and performance
Oversee startup activities for AGC's Texas welding department
Inspect and approve completed work before it leaves the department
Ensure compliance with safety policies, procedures, and regulations
Train and develop team members to improve welding skills and quality standard
Coordinate labor, materials, and equipment to meet production schedules
Fit, tack, assemble, and weld stainless steel sheet metal and mild steel assemblie
Perform welding, grinding, and finishing work according to engineering drawings
Identify potential design or fabrication issues and recommend solution
Collaborate with production, engineering, and leadership teams
Drive continuous improvement initiatives in safety, quality, and efficienc
Maintain welding equipment and coordinate repairs when needed
Keep work areas clean, organized, and safe
What Makes You Successful We're looking for a leader who exemplifies the AGC Difference: Integrity Honesty, trust, and transparency in everything you do. Care Respect for people, customers, and the environment. Innovation A problem-solving mindset and commitment to improvement. Excellence A dedication to quality, craftsmanship, and continuous learning. Execution Safety-focused teamwork and accountability. Goal Orientation A drive to achieve results and help the team succeed.
Qualifications Required
4+ years of TIG welding experience on light-gauge stainless steel
4+ years of Dual Shield welding experience on ¼" to 1" mild steel
Ability to pass a welding test
Experience reading and interpreting blueprints, drawings, and specifications
Strong troubleshooting and decision-making skills
Ability to identify quality concerns and perform rework when necessary
Basic math, reading, and written communication skills
Ability to accurately read a tape measure using fractional measurements
High School Diploma or GED
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
Commitment to workplace safety and 5S principles
Preferred
Previous welding shop startup experience
Experience leading or mentoring welding personnel
Manufacturing leadership experience
Physical & Work Environment Requirements This position requires:
Standing and walking for extended periods
Frequent bending, kneeling, crouching, climbing, and reaching
Regular lifting of up to 50 pounds (more with assistance)
Use of hand tools, power tools, and welding equipment
Working around heat, sparks, fumes, noise, dust, and varying temperatures
Wearing required PPE including welding helmets, gloves, respirators, safety glasses, and protective clothing
Safe operation of forklifts, cranes, hoists, and material-handling equipment when required.
Manufacturing environment conditions include moderate-to-loud noise levels, occasional vibration, and seasonal temperature changes.
Ready to Build Something Great? This is more than a welding position—it's an opportunity to help establish and lead a critical function within AGC's growing Texas operation.