Fabricator /Autobody Technician

The Fabricator / Auto Body Technician is responsible for the repair, fabrication, restoration, and preparation of vehicle bodies and components for antique, classic, vintage, and collectible automobiles. This position requires a high level of craftsmanship, attention to detail, and the ability to fabricate or repair components when replacement parts are unavailable.

The successful candidate will have hands-on experience with automotive sheet metal, welding, metal shaping, body repair, panel alignment, rust repair, and restoration techniques. Unlike traditional collision repair, this position focuses on restoring vehicles to a historically appropriate, structurally sound, and high-quality finished condition.

• Fabricate, repair, modify, and replace sheet-metal components for antique and classic vehicles.
• Create replacement panels, brackets, patch panels, body mounts, floors, rocker panels, wheel openings, and other components when reproduction parts are unavailable or unsuitable.
• Perform metal shaping using appropriate hand and power tools, including English wheels, shrinker/stretchers, bead rollers, brakes, shears, hammers, dollies, and similar fabrication equipment.
• Repair rust, corrosion, dents, cracks, and previous body damage while preserving as much original material as practical.
• Duplicate original contours, seams, mounting points, and other factory details when performing restoration work.

• Perform high-quality MIG and TIG welding on automotive sheet metal and structural components.
• Perform plug welds, butt welds, seam welds, and other appropriate welding techniques.
• Grind, finish, and dress welds to achieve the proper appearance while maintaining structural integrity.
• Control heat distortion when welding thin-gauge automotive sheet metal.

• Remove, repair, fabricate, and install body panels, doors, hoods, fenders, deck lids, floor sections, and related components.
• Correct body and panel alignment problems and establish proper panel gaps and vehicle body lines.
• Test-fit components throughout the restoration process to ensure proper alignment before final finishing.
• Repair previous bodywork when workmanship does not meet restoration standards.
• Identify hidden corrosion or structural deterioration encountered during disassembly and repair.

• Straighten and finish metal surfaces using traditional body repair techniques.
• Apply and finish body filler where appropriate.
• Perform sanding, blocking, grinding, and surface preparation.
• Prepare repaired components for primer and subsequent paint operations.
• Identify surface imperfections requiring additional metalwork or bodywork before refinishing.
• Work closely with paint and refinishing personnel to ensure vehicles are properly prepared for high-quality finishes.

• Carefully disassemble vehicle body components while protecting parts intended for restoration or reuse.
• Label, organize, photograph, and properly store components and hardware during restoration.
• Assist with reassembly of restored vehicles.
• Install and adjust body trim, weatherstripping, doors, hoods, deck lids, bumpers, moldings, and related components as required.
• Protect finished surfaces and restored components during assembly.

• Research or reference original vehicle construction when necessary to ensure repairs are appropriate for the year, make, and model.
• Maintain original appearance and construction methods whenever practical while ensuring safe, durable repairs.
• Recognize differences between restoration work, custom fabrication, and modern collision-repair techniques.
• Maintain a high standard of fit, finish, symmetry, panel alignment, and overall workmanship.
• Document significant repairs or fabrication work as required

• At least three years of automotive body repair, metal fabrication, restoration, or closely related experience preferred.
• Demonstrated experience working with automotive sheet metal.
• Experience with MIG welding required; TIG welding strongly preferred.
• Ability to fabricate repair panels and components from sheet metal.
• Experience with rust repair, panel replacement, dent repair, metal finishing, and bodywork.
• Ability to properly fit and align doors, fenders, hoods, deck lids, and other body panels.
• Ability to read measurements, use templates, and reproduce complex shapes.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently on detailed projects requiring patience and precision.
• Ability to distinguish acceptable production work from show-quality or restoration-quality workmanship.

• Previous experience restoring antique, classic, muscle, European, or collector vehicles.
• Experience fabricating components for vehicles where replacement parts are unavailable.
• Advanced TIG welding and sheet-metal fabrication experience.
• Experience using an English wheel, planishing hammer, bead roller, shrinker/stretcher, sheet-metal brake, and metal-forming equipment.
• Experience with lead bodywork or traditional metal-finishing techniques is a plus.
• Knowledge of vintage body construction and restoration methods.
• Experience with full vehicle restorations from disassembly through final assembly.
• A portfolio or photographs demonstrating previous fabrication and restoration work are highly desirable.

• Exceptional attention to detail and craftsmanship.
• Strong understanding of automotive body construction.
• Sheet-metal forming and fabrication ability.
• Welding and metal-finishing expertise.
• Understanding of panel gaps, body lines, contours, and symmetry.
• Ability to visualize and fabricate parts from patterns, measurements, photographs, or original components.
• Ability to troubleshoot fitment problems rather than simply replacing components.
• Patience when working with rare, valuable, or irreplaceable parts.
• Ability to maintain an organized work area and carefully track removed components.
• Pride in producing work that may be visible on high-value collector vehicles.

• Ability to stand, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and work in various positions for extended periods.
• Ability to regularly use hand and power tools.
• Ability to lift and carry approximately 50 pounds independently, with assistance or lifting equipment used for heavier components.
• Ability to work around welding equipment, grinders, solvents, dust, noise, paint-preparation materials, and other conditions typical of an automotive restoration and fabrication shop.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment.

Work is primarily performed in an automotive restoration and fabrication shop. Employees may be exposed to welding operations, sparks, metal dust, sanding dust, noise, automotive chemicals, paints, primers, solvents, and moving equipment. Appropriate personal protective equipment and safe work practices are required.