Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Fabrication Welder

🎯 Role Definition

We are searching for a highly skilled and safety-conscious Fabrication Welder to join our dynamic manufacturing team. In this critical, hands-on role, you will be responsible for interpreting complex blueprints and applying your expert knowledge of various welding techniques (MIG, TIG, Stick) to cut, shape, and assemble metal components into high-quality finished products. The ideal candidate is a proactive problem-solver who takes immense pride in their craftsmanship, demonstrates an unwavering commitment to quality, and contributes to a safe and efficient work environment. If you are ready to apply your fabrication and welding talents to challenging and rewarding projects, we encourage you to apply.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Welder's Helper
Manufacturing Associate
Apprentice Welder

Advancement To:

Lead Welder / Team Lead
Welding Supervisor or Shop Foreman
Certified Welding Inspector (CWI)

Lateral Moves:

Maintenance Welder
Pipefitter
Quality Control Inspector

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Read, interpret, and execute work based on complex blueprints, schematics, engineering drawings, and weld procedure specifications (WPS).
Set up and operate manual or semi-automatic welding equipment to fuse metal segments using processes such as GMAW (MIG), GTAW (TIG), and SMAW (Stick).
Lay out, position, align, and secure parts and assemblies prior to welding using straightedges, combination squares, calipers, rulers, and other measuring devices.
Operate a variety of fabrication machinery such as press brakes, shears, rolls, flame cutters, plasma cutters, and grinders to bend, cut, form, and assemble metal components.
Examine workpieces for defects and measure them with straightedges, templates, or other inspection tools to ensure conformance with strict specifications and quality standards.
Select and install appropriate torches, torch tips, filler rods, and flux according to the welding chart specifications or project requirements for different materials.
Perform pre-weld material preparation, including cleaning, grinding, beveling, or gouging surfaces to ensure a strong and clean weld.
Chip or grind off excess weld, slag, or spatter using hand scrapers, power chippers, portable grinders, or arc-cutting equipment to produce a finished look.
Conduct visual and dimensional inspections of all welds to ensure they meet quality standards, identifying and repairing any cracks, porosity, or other defects.
Set up and operate jigs and fixtures designed to hold metal components in the correct position for precise welding and repeatable assembly.
Calculate material requirements and dimensions using knowledge of shop mathematics, including fractions, decimals, and geometry.
Adhere rigorously to all company safety protocols and procedures, including the mandatory use of personal protective equipment (PPE) at all times.
Monitor the fitting, burning, and welding processes to avoid overheating of parts or warping, shrinking, distortion, or expansion of material.
Utilize overhead cranes, forklifts, and other material handling equipment to safely move raw materials, work-in-progress, and finished products throughout the facility.
Maintain accurate documentation of work progress, material usage, and inspection results on production logs or within our digital tracking system.
Perform fitting and assembly of structural frames, machinery parts, and other custom metal components according to detailed blueprints.
Collaborate with engineering and design teams to troubleshoot fabrication challenges and suggest potential improvements to designs for better manufacturability.
Perform routine preventative maintenance on welding equipment and fabrication machinery to ensure they remain in safe and optimal working condition.
Adjust welding machine parameters, including voltage, amperage, and wire feed speed, to achieve the desired weld quality, penetration, and appearance.
Work both independently on assigned tasks and collaboratively as part of a larger team to complete complex fabrication projects within established deadlines.

Secondary Functions

Participate actively in daily safety briefings and contribute positively to a culture of safety-first and hazard awareness.
Assist in the on-the-job training and mentoring of apprentice welders and new fabricators on proper techniques and safety standards.
Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives by providing valuable feedback on shop processes, workflow, and tooling.
Support general shop maintenance, organization, and cleaning to uphold 5S principles and maintain a safe, orderly work environment.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Advanced Welding Proficiency: Expert-level skill in multiple welding processes, including MIG (GMAW), TIG (GTAW), and Stick (SMAW) on various materials.
Blueprint & Schematic Interpretation: Ability to read and accurately interpret complex engineering drawings, blueprints, and weld symbols.
Fabrication Equipment Operation: Skilled in operating press brakes, shears, plate rolls, ironworkers, and various saws.
Metal Identification: Strong understanding of metallurgy and the properties of different metals like carbon steel, stainless steel, and aluminum.
Precision Measurement: Competency with measurement tools including tape measures, calipers, micrometers, squares, and protractors.
Cutting Processes: Experience with manual and automated cutting tools such as plasma cutters and oxy-fuel torches.
Weld Quality Inspection: Ability to perform visual inspections of welds to identify defects like undercut, porosity, and lack of fusion.
Layout and Fitting: Proven ability to lay out and fit complex assemblies from raw materials with high accuracy.
AWS Standards: Knowledge of American Welding Society (AWS) standards and codes, particularly D1.1.
Grinding and Finishing: Skill in using grinders and other finishing tools to prepare surfaces and finish products to a high standard.
Material Handling: Certified or experienced in the safe operation of overhead cranes and forklifts.

Soft Skills

Attention to Detail: Meticulous in ensuring precision, quality, and accuracy in all fabrication and welding tasks.
Problem-Solving: Ability to troubleshoot issues with equipment, materials, or designs and find effective solutions.
Strong Work Ethic: Reliable, motivated, and dedicated to completing tasks efficiently and to the best of one's ability.
Safety Consciousness: A deep-rooted commitment to following safety procedures to protect oneself and colleagues.
Teamwork & Collaboration: Works effectively with others, including engineers, supervisors, and fellow welders, to achieve common goals.
Time Management: Ability to manage one's own time effectively to meet project deadlines and production targets.
Adaptability: Flexible and able to adjust to changing project requirements, priorities, and technologies.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or GED equivalent.

Preferred Education:

Certificate or Associate's Degree from an accredited welding program or vocational-technical school.
Current AWS (American Welding Society) certifications.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Welding Technology
Metal Fabrication
Industrial Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

3-5+ years of professional experience in a role focused on both welding and metal fabrication.

Preferred:

5+ years of experience in a custom fabrication or structural steel environment.
Documented experience welding a variety of materials, including stainless steel and aluminum, in various positions.
Verifiable certifications in relevant AWS codes (e.g., D1.1, D1.5).