Rail Car Carrier Welding & Fabrication Team Leader Contractor (18-month contract)
About Yellow Rail
Yellow Rail is a trusted UK rail engineering partner based in Derby, delivering professional, reliable, and agile solutions across the rail industry. Operating from its engineering centre at Derby Carriage Works, the company provides a range of specialist services including rolling stock maintenance, engineering support, re-engineering, specialist welding, material supply, and wheelset services. Built on technical expertise, a strong safety culture, and a commitment to innovation. Yellow Rail supports customers in improving the reliability, availability, and performance of their rail assets.
About the Role
Yellow Rail is seeking an experienced Welding & Fabrication Team Leader Contractor to support a major rail vehicle project in Derby. This is a self-employed contract opportunity for up to 18 months, leading day-to-day welding and fabrication activities on rail car carriers. This hands-on leadership role is ideal for someone who combines strong fabrication and welding expertise with the ability to coordinate teams, drive productivity, and ensure the highest standards of safety and quality. Working closely with workshop management, you will play a key role in delivering a significant rail engineering programme on time and to specification.
Key Responsibilities
- Allocate and coordinate daily welding and fabrication activities to achieve production targets.
- Lead, support, and supervise fabrication and welding personnel, ensuring work is completed safely, efficiently, and to the required quality standard.
- Read and interpret engineering drawings, welding symbols, and technical instructions, providing guidance and technical support to the team.
- Carry out and oversee fabrication, fitting, and MIG/MAG welding on rail car carrier structures and components.
- Ensure welding activities are completed in accordance with approved procedures and quality requirements.
- Conduct in-process quality checks and pre-inspections of fabricated and welded assemblies before release.
- Promote and enforce safe working practices, challenging unsafe behaviours and ensuring compliance with PPE and housekeeping standards.
- Report defects, drawing discrepancies, material shortages, and production risks promptly.
- Identify training requirements and mentor team members to support skills development and performance improvement.
- Monitor welding equipment, tools, and consumables to ensure operational readiness.
- Track daily progress, communicate priorities, and escalate issues that may affect project delivery.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives to enhance safety, quality, productivity, and efficiency.
Person Specification
Essential
- Proven experience in a chargehand, supervisor, or team Leader role leading teams and coordinating production activities.
- Strong hands-on fabrication and MIG/MAG welding experience within heavy engineering, manufacturing, rail, or a similar industry.
- Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and fabrication specifications.
- Strong understanding of welding quality standards and inspection requirements.
- Excellent communication and organisational skills.
- Demonstrable commitment to health, safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
Desirable
- Previous rail industry or rolling stock experience.
- Relevant welding and fabrication qualifications.
- Experience managing work within safety-critical environments.
- Knowledge of production planning and workshop resource allocation.
What We Offer
- Self-employed contractor engagement.
- Contract duration of up to 18 months.
- Competitive rates.
- Long-term opportunity on a high-profile rail engineering project.
- Modern workshop facilities based at Derby Carriage Works.
- Opportunity to lead a skilled team of fabricators and welders.
- Be part of a growing business delivering innovative rail engineering solutions.
How to Apply
If you are an experienced Welding & Fabrication Team Leader looking for your next contract opportunity and want to play a key role in the delivery of a major rail vehicle programme, we'd like to hear from you. Please submit your CV to [email protected].
Work Location: In person
