2nd Shift Welder

Job Summary

The Welder is responsible for fitting, joining, and repairing metal parts and assemblies using welding techniques commonly applied in a metal fabrication environment. This role requires strong technical skills, attention to detail, and adherence to safety and quality standards to ensure welded products meet specifications and customer requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Set up, adjust, and operate welding equipment (MIG, TIG, Stick, or other processes as required).
• Read and interpret blueprints, work orders, and welding symbols to determine weld requirements.
• Fabricate and assemble metal components using welding, cutting, grinding, and finishing techniques.
• Inspect welds to ensure conformance with specifications and quality standards.
• Perform routine maintenance and cleaning of welding equipment.
• Follow established safety procedures, including use of PPE, fume extraction, and safe handling of hot materials.
• Work collaboratively with fitters, assemblers, and other production staff to complete jobs on time.
• Identify and communicate defects, material shortages, or equipment issues to supervisors.
• Support continuous improvement efforts to improve weld quality, efficiency, and workflow.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Completion of welding training program or apprenticeship preferred.
• 2+ years of welding experience in a fabrication environment preferred.
• Welding certifications (AWS or equivalent) a plus.
• Proficiency in welding techniques (MIG, TIG, Stick, flux-core, or shop-specific processes).
• Ability to read blueprints, weld symbols, and technical drawings.
• Knowledge of metal properties, welding standards, and fabrication processes.
• Skilled in using hand tools, grinders, clamps, and measuring instruments.
• Strong attention to detail and quality focus.
• Basic problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.
• Teamwork and communication abilities.

Key Competencies:

Technical

• Welding Proficiency – Skilled in MIG, TIG, Stick, or Flux-Core processes, depending on shop requirements.
• Blueprint & Welding Symbol Reading – Ability to interpret drawings, specifications, and welding symbols.
• Fabrication Knowledge – Understanding of cutting, fitting, grinding, and finishing processes.
• Quality Inspection – Ability to inspect welds for penetration, defects, and conformance to tolerances using gauges and visual inspection.
• Equipment Setup & Maintenance – Competence in setting welding parameters, maintaining torches, gas flow, and power supplies.

Safety

• PPE & Safety Compliance – Consistent use of helmets, gloves, respirators, and protective clothing.
• Hazard Awareness – Knowledge of risks such as burns, sparks, UV radiation, fumes, and fire hazards.
• Safe Material Handling – Ability to position and secure heavy parts safely with clamps, jigs, or hoists.

Workplace

• Attention to Detail – Precision in weld quality, part fit-up, and finishing.
• Time Management – Meeting production deadlines while maintaining quality standards.
• Teamwork & Communication – Collaborating with fitters, assemblers, and supervisors to complete jobs.
• Adaptability – Flexibility to shift between welding processes and varied fabrication tasks.

Problem-Solving & Continuous Improvement

• Troubleshooting Weld Defects – Identifying porosity, cracks, or distortion and applying corrective measures.
• Process Improvement Awareness – Suggesting better setups, techniques, or fixtures to improve efficiency and quality.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made in accordance with the ADA.

• Standing/Walking: Required to stand and walk for 6–8 hours per shift on concrete floors.
• Lifting/Carrying: Frequently lifts and carries metal parts, tools, and equipment weighing 30–50 lbs; occasional team lifting required for heavier components.
• Pushing/Pulling: Regular pushing and pulling of welding carts, gas cylinders, and workpieces, occasionally up to 75 lbs of force.
• Reaching/Handling: Frequent reaching in all directions, grasping tools, clamps, and materials; handling welding torches, grinders, and measuring devices.
• Repetitive Motions: Frequent use of hands, wrists, and arms for welding, grinding, and material handling.
• Bending/Kneeling: Regular bending, stooping, crouching, and occasional kneeling when working on low-positioned parts or fixtures.
• Vision: Requires close vision, depth perception, and attention to detail to inspect welds and ensure quality.
• Hearing: Ability to hear safety alarms, welding equipment sounds, and verbal instructions in a noisy shop environment.

Work Environment

• Exposure to heat, sparks, UV light, and welding fumes (respiratory protection required where applicable).
• Exposure to noise, dust, and sharp metal edges.
• Consistent use of PPE including welding helmet, gloves, respirators, hearing protection, and protective clothing.