Sean Pounds

I began my Fabrication Foreman career at the MMF (Module Manufacturing Facility) where I oversaw the months long fabrication of modules or blocks of LCS 34. When the fabrication of these early modules of the ship was complete. I was chosen to go with them to the final assembly bay to start the joining process where I spent 13 months overseeing module erection and overall ship completion until it launched in May of 2022. I then managed the construction of LCS 36 and 38 where I incorporated hull over hull lessons learned and saw both ships through to launch. In January of 2024 I began work on TATS-11, Austal's first steel ship. As a Fabrication Foreman at Austal USA my roles and responsibilities include:

• Provide training, support, direction and mentorship to continually develop employee work habits, job skills and safety practices.
• Implementation and maintenance of an integrated master schedule. Inputting weekly EVMS data into a vessel completion database.
• Planning and executing the installation of critical alignment components such as jet cones, kort nozzles, stern tubes, and rudder trunks.
• Overseeing large scale paint evolutions including the pre blast and post blast surface prep inspection of underwater hull and nonskid deck coatings.
• 8+ years certified as Level 2 NDT VT inspector MIL-STD-271.
• Various administrative duties from time allocations and payroll issues to being the boots on the ground POC for anything and everything. Including HR matters, security, and medical events.
• Understanding critical instructions and acceptance criteria laid out in test procedures. Ensuring these procedures are carried out correctly and the results properly documented.
• Identifying the root cause of rework. Gathering lessons learned to prevent repeat errors while also developing an action plan for the repair.
• Performing quality assurance audits on work performed. Ensuring supervisors are following the established processes and procedures. looking for OQE (Objective Quality Evidence).
• Creating punch lists to reach major milestones such as vessel launch and engine light off. Liaising with the other trades and project team to reach these milestones as a team.
• Proficient computer skills using programs such as Excel, Word, and Navisworks.
• Ensuring safe working practices and good housekeeping are maintained in all areas and ensuring policies and procedures are followed.
• Works with the project management team to plan and support compartment completion and system integration activities.

As a Fabrication Supervisor at Austal USA I managed a team of fitters and welders of whom I tasked out to meet daily, weekly, and monthly goals as efficiently and safely as possible. I was a leading contributor on LCS 20, 22, 24, and 30. My roles and responsibilities included:

• Responsible for as many as 20+ direct report employees.
• Track, forecast, and report on the progression of the project including line item status of production steps.
• Ensuring direct report employee time allocations are accurate and submitted on time for payroll processing.
• Keeping the safety of employees first priority.
• Forecasting and planning of work weeks in advance, identifying the materials and resources required.
• NDT VT level 2 certification.
• Complete daily QC audits on work performed by my employees as well as work completed in earlier stages to ensure the as built product meets all quality requirements and standards.
• The filling out of inspection reports that initiate customer (navy) inspections.
• Train and mentor new and veteran employees

I began work at Austal USA as a B class structural fitter on LCS 8 while it was under construction in a final assembly bay. I was given the unique experience of staying with the ship after launch and spent nearly 3 years working on it through various construction stages, all the way through acceptance trials and delivery to the navy. I was then moved to LCS 10 where I saw it through delivery to the navy before being promoted to supervisor in under 4 years. My roles and responsibilities included:

• Leveling, scribing, and joining of modules.
• Fairing of ships structure to maintain critical dimensions and shapes between modules.
• Aluminum GMAW certification. Steel FCAW certification.
• Completion of drawing modification change orders.
• Compartment completion support taking 2 ships through navy acceptance trials.
• Stand in supervisor (Lead man) for 1.5 years.

This company builds prefabricated houses and delivers them to the  customer's lot. With the recession in 2007, cross training between  departments became vital and I worked many positions. My roles and  responsibilities  included: 

• Supervisor of wall panel line. 
• Lead builder in special panel department.
•  In shop and in field troubleshooter, identifying and repairing workmanship and engineering issues.
•  Plant safety committee member. 
• Plant maintenance member, welding specialist, lock out tagout  certified.  
• Certified forklift operator.

I started sweeping the floors of a friend of the family's fabrication shop at 12 years old. Where at a young age I began learning and practicing metal fabrication. This shop works with aluminum, carbon steel, and stainless steel, in both repair and new construction applications.

• Small business atmosphere.
• Safety first conservative mindset.
• Worked in the shop and offsite.
• Completed maintenance and installation jobs for many local businesses.