Fits, assembles and welds metal parts and sub-assemblies to fabricate production machines and other equipment.

Determines suitable material, method and sequence of operations and machine settings; fits fabricated metal parts and assembles metal parts to produce machines and equipment; checks parts for accuracy, clearance and fit; sets guides, stops and other controls on machining tools, sets up prescribed cutting and shaping tools and dies in machines and presses, and sets controls for textile machines; forms metal stock and castings to press, cut, grind, plane, bore and drill metal; cuts, threads, bends and installs hydraulic and pneumatic pipes and lines; performs operational maintenance of machines, parts and fluid power equipment; may erect machines and equipment.

• Works indoors in spaces which are likely to be well ventilated to disperse gases and other by-products. Work sites may be dirty and dusty and noisy.
• Frequently works at heights and on ladders and scaffold. Employees may also work in the holds of ships or on bridge or other large structures.
• Fitters and welders will use a variety of personal protective equipment including face masks, eye protection, safety footwear, over-alls and gloves. They may need safety harnesses for some jobs.

• The physical demand medium to heavy.
• Standing is constantly required, frequently on concrete floors. Sitting is not required. Walking is frequently required.
• Stretching up, across and under, bending and twisting of the body or neck are frequently required. Lifting and carrying is frequently required to transport engineering materials and equipment about the workshop, and is likely to be medium to heavy physical demand. Squatting, crouching or kneeling is occasionally required.
• Repetitive movements are frequently required especially in the use of hands and arms for holding welding, flame-cutting or grinding equipment. Climbing ladders, work on scaffolds, steel beams or similar is frequently required.
• Driving is not a significant component of this job.
• Frequent use of a wide range of engineering hand, power and machine tools and equipment.
• Mental skills necessary include practical, technical, welding and problem-solving.

A New Zealand Register Level 4 qualification or at least three years of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 3). In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification. For entry-level positions on-the-job training may be sufficient.

There are opportunities for flexibility of movement but they are limited.