Date Posted: 12/06/2026



HEAVY PLANT WELDING AND FABRICATION & TECHNICAL TRADES OPERATOR

RecruitUp Global
Bibra Lake, WA 6163

Full-time Permanent

Annual Salary: $79,400 To $89,400

1. HEAVY PLANT WELDING AND FABRICATION TRADESPERSON

The Heavy Plant Welding and Fabrication Tradesperson is responsible for welding, fabrication, metal repair, structural repair, inspection and maintenance support for heavy earthmoving machinery, plant attachments and associated equipment.

The position includes operation of heavy plant where required, but the primary purpose of the role is skilled welding and fabrication work connected to the repair, maintenance and safe operation of heavy machinery.

The employee will repair and maintain buckets, blades, guards, frames, brackets, trays, cutting edges, wear plates, attachments and other steel components used in earthmoving, civil works, construction, mining support or site operations.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Welding, Fabrication and Metal Repair

• Carry out welding, cutting, grinding and fabrication repairs on heavy plant, attachments and associated equipment.
• Repair cracked, worn, damaged or fatigued steel components on earthmoving machinery.
• Weld and repair buckets, cutting edges, wear plates, guards, brackets, frames, trays, ramps, blades and attachments.
• Prepare metal surfaces for welding by cleaning, bevelling, grinding, aligning, measuring, clamping and securing components.
• Use appropriate welding processes, tools and consumables in accordance with the job requirements and workplace procedures.
• Read and interpret drawings, sketches, repair instructions, measurements, job cards and welding specifications.
• Fabricate, modify or reinforce steel components for plant and equipment.
• Inspect completed welds for visible defects, alignment, strength, distortion and suitability for continued use.
• Use grinders, oxy-cutting equipment, plasma cutters, hand tools, power tools and workshop equipment safely.
• Perform hot-work tasks in accordance with company procedures, permits and safety controls.

Heavy Plant Maintenance Support

• Assist with inspection, servicing and repair of heavy earthmoving machinery and mobile plant.
• Identify cracks, wear, structural damage, loose components, corrosion, fatigue or failure points on plant and attachments.
• Assist with removing, fitting and replacing buckets, blades, guards, pins, bushes, brackets, cutting edges and other components.
• Carry out minor mechanical repairs and adjustments within the employee's trade competency.
• Assist mechanics, fitters and supervisors with equipment repairs and maintenance tasks.
• Conduct post-repair checks to confirm equipment is safe and suitable for return to service.
• Maintain accurate records of welding repairs, parts used, work performed and defects identified.

Heavy Plant Operation

• Operate heavy earthmoving machinery as required to support repair, testing, loading, unloading, site preparation and operational activities.
• Operate machinery such as excavators, loaders, skid steers, rollers, telehandlers, forklifts or other plant were licensed and competent.
• Use plant to move, load, level, spread or position materials and equipment.
• Conduct pre-start and shut-down checks on machinery before and after use.
• Monitor equipment performance and report faults, unusual noise, leaks, vibration, wear or unsafe conditions.
• Operate machinery in a safe and controlled manner in accordance with site procedures.

Equipment Testing and Quality Control

• Test repaired or modified components to confirm fit, alignment and operational suitability.
• Check that welded or fabricated parts meet job requirements before being returned to service.
• Ensure repaired plant components are structurally sound and safe for intended use.
• Report any equipment that requires further mechanical, engineering or specialist inspection.
• Maintain a clean, organised and safe workshop, service area and worksite.

Workplace Health and Safety

• Follow all workplace health and safety procedures, site rules, SWMS, JSAs and permit requirements.
• Use appropriate PPE, including welding helmet, gloves, eye protection, respiratory protection, hearing protection and protective clothing.
• Follow safe systems of work for hot work, grinding, cutting, lifting, working around mobile plant and stored energy.
• Identify hazards and report incidents, near misses, unsafe equipment and unsafe work practices.
• Comply with environmental procedures relating to waste, fumes, spills, oils, fuels and workshop materials.

Skills, Qualifications and Experience

Essential

• Experience as a welder, pressure welder, fabrication tradesperson, boilermaker or similar welding trade role.
• Experience welding and repairing steel components, preferably on heavy machinery, plant or industrial equipment.
• Ability to read and interpret drawings, sketches, measurements, repair instructions and job cards.
• Competency using welding equipment, grinders, cutting equipment, power tools and workshop tools.
• Understanding of safe hot-work procedures and welding-related risks.
• Ability to inspect damaged or worn steel components and determine appropriate repair methods.
• Current driver's licence.
• Relevant plant licences, tickets or VOCs where machinery operation is required.

Desirable

• Trade qualification in welding, pressure welding, fabrication, boilermaking or related discipline.
• Experience with earthmoving machinery, buckets, blades, attachments, wear plates and cutting edges.
• White Card / Construction Induction Card.
• Forklift, excavator, loader, skid steer, telehandler, dogging, rigging, working at heights or confined space tickets.
• Experience in civil construction, earthworks, mining services, agriculture, quarrying or heavy industry.

2. FABRICATION & TECHNICAL TRADES OPERATOR

The Heavy Plant Technical Trades Operator is responsible for the safe operation, inspection, maintenance, adjustment and technical support of heavy earthmoving machinery and associated plant.

The position combines skilled technical trades work with machinery operation. The employee is not engaged solely as a general plant operator. The role requires practical technical knowledge of heavy machinery, including pre-start inspections, fault identification, minor repairs, servicing support, attachment fitting, equipment testing, maintenance records and safe operation.

The role supports the business by ensuring heavy plant and equipment is operated safely, maintained correctly, and available for productive use across civil, earthworks, construction, agricultural, mining support or site operations.

Key Duties and Responsibilities
Technical Inspection and Maintenance

• Conduct pre-start, operational and post-use inspections of heavy plant and mobile equipment.
• Inspect machinery for wear, damage, leaks, cracks, loose components, hydraulic faults, mechanical faults and safety defects.
• Carry out routine servicing and maintenance support in accordance with maintenance schedules and supervisor instructions.
• Lubricate, clean, grease, adjust and check plant and machinery components.
• Inspect and maintain attachments, buckets, blades, forks, hydraulic couplings, pins, bushes, cutting edges, tyres, tracks and undercarriage components.
• Assist with the removal, replacement and fitting of plant components and attachments.
• Assist mechanics, fitters, welders and supervisors with maintenance and repair tasks.
• Record defects, maintenance work, inspections, repairs, parts used and equipment status in job cards or maintenance systems.
• Identify equipment requiring specialist mechanical, hydraulic, electrical or welding repair and report it promptly.

Fault Identification and Technical Support

• Monitor machine performance during operation and identify abnormal noise, vibration, heat, leaks, pressure issues or handling problems.
• Assist with basic fault finding and troubleshooting of mechanical, hydraulic and operational issues.
• Check repaired or serviced equipment for safe operation before return to use.
• Test machinery and attachments following maintenance or repair work.
• Interpret service information, operator manuals, job cards, site instructions and equipment checklists.
• Support supervisors in planning equipment availability, maintenance priorities and site requirements.
• Ensure plant is prepared, inspected and ready for mobilisation or daily operation.

Heavy Plant Operation

• Operate heavy earthmoving machinery and mobile plant as required for site works and equipment testing.
• Operate plant such as excavators, loaders, skid steers, rollers, graders, water carts, compactors, telehandlers, forklifts or similar equipment were licensed and competent.
• Use machinery to excavate, load, move, spread, level, compact or position materials in accordance with site requirements.
• Fit, remove and use appropriate attachments for the required task.
• Operate plant safely around personnel, vehicles, structures, services and other machinery.
• Follow site plans, levels, markers, supervisor directions and safe operating procedures.
• Secure, park, isolate and shut down machinery correctly after use.

Equipment Set-Up and Site Support

• Prepare plant and equipment for daily work, transport, mobilisation and demobilisation.
• Assist with loading and unloading machinery, materials, parts and attachments.
• Check fuel, oils, coolant, hydraulic fluids and other operating requirements.
• Assist with setting up work areas, exclusion zones, signage and safety controls.
• Support site teams with technical knowledge of machine capability, operating limitations and equipment condition.
• Communicate with supervisors regarding equipment defects, delays, maintenance requirements and operational risks.

Welding and Fabrication Support

• Assist with basic welding, fabrication or metal repair tasks where competent and authorised.
• Identify damaged, cracked or worn metal components requiring welding or fabrication repair.
• Assist welding tradespersons with preparation, handling, grinding, cleaning, measuring or fitting of components.
• Support repair of buckets, guards, brackets, cutting edges, wear plates and attachments.

Workplace Health and Safety

• Comply with all workplace health and safety procedures, site rules, SWMS, JSAs and environmental requirements.
• Conduct hazard identification and apply risk controls before operating or maintaining plant.
• Use appropriate PPE for plant operation, servicing, maintenance and site work.
• Report incidents, near misses, defects, unsafe equipment and unsafe work practices.
• Follow safe systems for working around mobile plant, hydraulic systems, stored energy, lifting operations, hot work and workshop activities.
• Maintain a clean, safe and organised work area, workshop, service vehicle and machinery cabin.

Skills, Qualifications and Experience

Essential

• Experience in a technical trades, plant maintenance, fitting, machinery servicing, field service or heavy plant support role.
• Experience operating or maintaining heavy earthmoving machinery or mobile plant.
• Ability to inspect machinery, identify faults and report defects accurately.
• Practical understanding of mechanical systems, hydraulic systems, attachments and plant maintenance requirements.
• Ability to follow service manuals, checklists, job cards, site instructions and safe operating procedures.
• Current driver's licence.
• Relevant machinery tickets, licences or VOCs where plant operation is required.
• Strong commitment to workplace health and safety.

Desirable

• Trade or technical qualification in mechanical trades, fitting, plant maintenance, engineering, fabrication, automotive, diesel, hydraulics or related discipline.
• White Card / Construction Induction Card.
• Forklift, excavator, loader, skid steer, roller, grader, telehandler, working at heights, confined space, dogging or rigging tickets.
• Experience in civil construction, earthworks, mining services, agriculture, quarrying or heavy industry.
• Experience maintaining attachments, buckets, blades, hydraulic fittings, tracks, tyres and undercarriage components.

Annual Salary $79,400 to $89,400