Trades Assistant – Pressure Vessels & Heat Exchangers

Thornton Engineering, a family-owned leader since 1975, designs and fabricates top-quality steel products for major projects across Australia. Specialising in pressure vessels and heat exchangers, we’re known for precision and excellence in the steel fabrication industry. Our supportive, collaborative team thrives in a workplace that values skill, dedication, and growth. Join us to work on cutting-edge projects with a crew passionate about delivering results.

Are you a Trades Assistant with a knack for steel fabrication? We’re seeking a experienced Trades Assistant to join our Pressure Vessel Division and support our expert boilermakers in crafting pressure vessels and heat exchangers. If you’ve got years of hands-on experience backing up welders and boilermakers in the steel industry, we want you on our team!

In this role, you’ll pair with a qualified boilermaker to streamline fabrication processes. Your expertise will handle the heavy lifting—literally and figuratively—allowing our boilermakers to focus on high-skill tasks like welding and assembly, not time-consuming prep or support work. Experience with pressure vessels or heat exchangers is a bonus, but your deep steel fabrication background is what we’re after.

Join us for:

• A key role in producing world-class pressure vessels and heat exchangers.
• The chance to work alongside skilled boilermakers in a tight-knit team.
• Competitive pay reflecting your experience, plus overtime opportunities.
• Job security with a respected, family-owned company.
• A workplace that values your trade know-how and dedication.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist boilermakers with material preparation, including cutting, grinding, and positioning steel components for fabrication.
• Support welding and assembly tasks by setting up jigs, fixtures, and workpieces for pressure vessels and heat exchangers.
• Handle rigging and movement of heavy steel parts, ensuring safe and efficient workflow.
• Perform basic maintenance and cleaning of tools, equipment, and work areas to keep production on track.
• Collaborate with boilermakers and supervisors to prioritise tasks, freeing up skilled trades for fabrication focus.
• Adhere to strict safety and quality standards in a high-precision steel environment.

Bonus Points:

• Experience with pressure vessels, heat exchangers, or similar heavy steel products.
• Forklift, rigging, or dogging tickets (current or willingness to obtain).
• Familiarity with boilermaker tools like plasma cutters, grinders, or oxy-acetylene equipment.

About You:

• Experience as a Trades Assistant in the steel fabrication industry.
• Proven track record supporting boilermakers and welders with hands-on tasks.
• Strong understanding of steel fabrication processes—cutting, grinding, fitting, and rigging.
• Physically capable of handling heavy materials and working in a fast-paced shop floor setting.
• Safety-focused with knowledge of industry standards (e.g., OH&S practices).
• Reliable, proactive, and able to anticipate boilermaker needs without constant direction.

This is a rare opportunity for an experienced Trades Assistant to make a real impact in our pressure vessel and heat exchanger production. You’ll be the right-hand support to our boilermakers, ensuring they can focus on what they do best—fabricating exceptional steel products. With your industry expertise, you’ll help us maintain our reputation for quality and efficiency.

To apply, submit your resume and a cover letter detailing your experience in steel fabrication and how you’ve supported boilermakers or welders in the past. Tell us why you’re the perfect fit to join our crew!