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Heavy Duty Body Shop Technician
Harrisburg, PA · General LaborJOB TYPE
Key Responsibilities:
- Full Time
Key Responsibilities:
- Vehicle Frame and Body Repair:
- Repair or replace damaged parts of the vehicle body, including metal panels, frames, and structural components.
- Use advanced welding and fabrication techniques to restore or replace parts that are beyond simple repair.
- Prep, paint and finish truck body components.
- Metal Shaping and Custom Fabrication:
- Use various tools (hammers, presses, stretchers, and planishing hammers) to shape metal into precise forms, often for custom parts or to fit aftermarket parts that don’t quite match factory specifications.
- Create custom panels, bumpers, grilles, and other vehicle components, especially in performance or restoration projects.
- Welding and Joining:
- Perform welding on various materials, such as steel, aluminum, and sometimes even fiberglass, using techniques like MIG, TIG, or oxy-acetylene welding.
- Ensure that welds are strong, durable, and precise for safety and performance.
- Frame Straightening and Alignment:
- Use specialized equipment (such as frame machines or laser measuring systems) to straighten and align bent frames, ensuring that the vehicle is restored to its proper structural integrity.
- Metal Cutting and Shaping:
- Use tools like saws, grinders, and shears to cut and shape metal parts, preparing them for installation or repair.
- Finishing and Surface Prep:
- Once the fabrication work is done, ensure the surfaces are smooth and ready for painting or finishing.
- Collaboration and Communication:
- Work closely with other team members, such as painters, mechanics, and auto body repair technicians, to ensure a seamless repair process.
- Metalworking Skills: Proficiency in welding, cutting, shaping, and forming metal.
- Mechanical Knowledge: Understanding of vehicle structure and design principles, including suspension, frame, and bodywork systems.
- Attention to Detail: Ability to work on complex parts and ensure all parts align perfectly and meet high-quality standards.
- Tool Proficiency: Skilled use of hand tools, power tools, and specialized body shop machinery (frame pullers, sheet metal machines, etc.).
- Experience: Many body shop fabricators learn the trade through apprenticeships or years of hands-on work in the automotive repair industry.
- Technical Training: Some formal education in automotive technology or a related field can be beneficial, but hands-on experience is crucial.