Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Certified Welder

🎯 Role Definition

The Certified Welder is responsible for performing high-quality welding and fabrication work across a range of materials and applications — structural steel, plate, pipe, pressure vessels, and repair work — using processes such as SMAW (Stick), GMAW (MIG), GTAW (TIG), FCAW and specialized techniques. This role emphasizes adherence to welding procedure specifications (WPS), applicable codes (AWS D1.1, ASME Section IX, API 1104 where applicable), strict safety and quality standards, accurate interpretation of blueprints and welding symbols, and documentation of weld records. The Certified Welder will work closely with supervisors, inspectors, fitters, and fabricators to meet production targets while maintaining first-pass weld quality and compliance with company and customer specifications.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Welding Apprentice or Trainee in a shop, fabrication yard, or industrial maintenance team
Structural Fabricator or Metalworker with experience in cutting, fitting and basic welding
Vocational/Technical school graduate from a Welding Technology program

Advancement To:

Senior Welder / Lead Welder overseeing complex projects and mentoring others
Welding Inspector (CWI) or Quality Control Technician
Welding Supervisor, Foreman, or Production Manager in fabrication or construction
Certified Welding Procedure (WPS) Author / Welding Engineer (with additional training)

Lateral Moves:

Pipefitter / Pipe Welder (specializing in ASME/API pipeline welding)
Pressure Vessel Fabricator
Maintenance Welder for industrial plants, shipyards, or refineries

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Interpret and work from blueprints, welding symbols, isometric drawings and engineering specifications to accurately layout, fit, tack and complete welds to required dimensions and tolerances, ensuring proper joint preparation and alignment before welding.
Perform welding operations using SMAW (Shielded Metal Arc Welding), GMAW (MIG/MAG), GTAW (TIG), FCAW and other designated processes to join, build up, and repair ferrous and non-ferrous metals according to WPS and project drawings.
Execute certified weld procedures for plate and pipe in multiple positions (1G–6G), demonstrating proficiency in vertical, horizontal, overhead and position welding to meet AWS and ASME code requirements.
Complete welds to specified quality standards by controlling heat input, filler material selection, travel speed, tack sequencing and interpass temperature, minimizing distortion and rework.
Perform qualified weld tests and produce welder qualification records (WQRs) and documentation in accordance with company procedures and external code requirements (AWS D1.1, ASME Section IX, API 1104).
Operate cutting and preparation equipment, including oxy-fuel torches, plasma cutters, band saws, grinders and beveling machines to prepare edges and fit-up consistent with design and WPS requirements.
Conduct pre-weld inspection of components, verifying material grades, thicknesses, joint design, preheat/post-heat requirements, and any necessary NDT or visual acceptance criteria before welding begins.
Collaborate with fabrication teams and supervisors to sequence work, prioritize welds for heat management and fitment, and maintain production schedules while ensuring quality milestones are achieved.
Clean, grind and finish welds using appropriate finishing tools to meet surface finish and chamfering specifications, and prepare welds for NDT or painting/coating as required.
Participate in non-destructive testing activities (UT, MT, PT, RT as applicable) by providing test-ready welds, assisting inspectors, and correcting any defects identified through inspection.
Maintain accurate daily production logs, weld maps, material traceability records, and inspection paperwork to support QA/QC and client requirements.
Monitor and adjust welding parameters and consumables (electrode type, wire diameter, shielding gas) to optimize weld quality across varying materials such as carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum and exotic alloys.
Apply heat treatment and post-weld operations, such as stress relief or controlled cooling, in accordance with procedure specifications to prevent cracking and ensure mechanical properties.
Execute on-site repairs and maintenance welding for equipment and structures, assessing scope of work, selecting appropriate welding processes, and restoring components to serviceable condition.
Adhere to all safety, environmental and PPE requirements, including correct welding respirators, ventilation, confined space protocols, hot work permits, lockout/tagout and fall protection policies.
Troubleshoot welding defects such as porosity, burn-through, lack of fusion and cracking; determine root causes and implement corrective actions, including changes in WPS, fit-up or welding technique.
Mentor and train junior welders and apprentices on shop practices, welding techniques, safe work habits and code requirements to raise overall team capability and reduce rework.
Maintain, calibrate and perform basic repairs on welding equipment — power sources, wire feeders, torches, regulators — and escalate complex maintenance issues to technicians to avoid downtime.
Work with procurement and inventory teams to monitor and request welding consumables, filler materials and shielding gases ensuring the right specifications and traceability for project needs.
Participate in continuous improvement initiatives by suggesting process changes, layout improvements, or tooling updates that reduce cycle-time, scrap and improve first-time yield.
Ensure compliance with client-specific welding requirements, third-party inspection protocols and statutory regulations, coordinating with QA/QC and project management to close non-conformances.

Secondary Functions

Assist in shop housekeeping and 5S activities to maintain clean, safe and organized welding stations and minimize fire hazards from slag, spatter and scrap.
Support material handling and rigging tasks such as tacking, rotating and positioning heavy assemblies in collaboration with riggers and forklift operators.
Attend pre-job safety meetings and toolbox talks, contribute to hazard identification, and follow corrective measures to reduce incidents and near-misses.
Provide input on welding procedure development and qualification activities, including specimen fabrication and post-weld mechanical testing.
Aid in layout and post-weld dimensional inspection using tapes, calipers, levels and templates to ensure assemblies meet geometric and tolerance requirements.
Participate in downtime planning by supporting maintenance windows and assisting in tasks that enable preventive and corrective maintenance of production equipment.
Help prepare and pack welded components for shipping, including protective coatings, blocking and bracing, while maintaining proper documentation and labeling.
Coordinate with paint/coating teams to ensure welds are cleaned and prepared for coating application and meet surface cleanliness standards.
Maintain training and certification records, renewing AWS/ASME qualifications and attending refresher courses as required by company policy.
Support ad hoc fabrication tasks such as mock-ups, prototypes and special projects that require advanced welding skill or inventive fixturing.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

AWS Certified Welder (or equivalent) with proven ability to pass plate and pipe weld tests per AWS D1.1 and ASME Section IX.
Proficient in SMAW (Stick), GMAW (MIG), GTAW (TIG) and FCAW welding processes across carbon steel, stainless steel and aluminum.
Certified or experienced in position pipe welding (e.g., 1G–6G) and familiar with pipe codes such as API 1104 for pipeline work.
Strong blueprint reading skills, including interpretation of welding symbols, tolerances, dimensions, and fit-up details.
Knowledge of Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS), Procedure Qualification Records (PQR) and welder qualification record (WQR) documentation.
Familiarity with non-destructive testing methods (UT, MT, PT, RT) and ability to prepare welds to inspection standards.
Experience with preheat/post-heat control, interpass temperature monitoring and heat-treatment requirements to prevent weld defects.
Competent in metal preparation tools and equipment: grinders, bevelers, plasma/oxy-fuel cutters, band saws and cutting torches.
Ability to perform dimensional inspection and use measuring tools (calipers, micrometers, levels, welding gauges).
Knowledge of welding metallurgy and filler metal selection to achieve required mechanical properties and corrosion resistance.
Understanding of shop safety standards, hot work permits, confined space entry and PPE requirements; OSHA standards awareness.
Experience maintaining and troubleshooting welding machines, wire feeders, torches, regulators and gas delivery systems.
Familiarity with production welding environments, jigs/fixtures, clamping techniques and lean manufacturing (5S) principles.
Computer skills for digital weld records, job tickets, and basic use of fabrication shop software or tablets for documentation.

Soft Skills

Strong attention to detail and commitment to producing first-pass weld quality with minimal rework.
Excellent problem-solving skills to diagnose welding issues and implement practical corrective actions on the floor.
Clear communication skills to collaborate with supervisors, QA inspectors, fitters and other trades.
Team player mentality with the ability to mentor apprentices and work cooperatively in fast-paced fabrication environments.
Time management and ability to prioritize tasks to meet production schedules and deadlines.
Reliability, punctuality and a professional work ethic; willingness to work overtime and in variable shift patterns when required.
Physical stamina and dexterity for prolonged periods of welding, lifting, bending and working in confined or elevated spaces.
Adaptability to changing project requirements, materials and client-specific welding standards.
Continuous learning mindset to keep certifications current and adopt new welding technologies and processes.
Safety-first mindset with proactive hazard recognition and adherence to company safety policies.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED; demonstrated welding skills and hands-on experience.

Preferred Education:

Trade school diploma or certificate in Welding Technology / Welding Fabrication.
Additional certifications or coursework in weld testing, metallurgy or welding inspection.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Welding Technology / Welding Fabrication
Mechanical or Industrial Trades
Metallurgy or Materials Science (beneficial)

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 2–8 years of hands-on welding experience in fabrication, structural, pipe or industrial maintenance roles.

Preferred: 3–5 years of certified welding experience with documented AWS/ASME qualifications and a track record of producing code-compliant welds. Experience in a production shop, construction site, shipyard or energy sector projects is highly valued.