Overview
Our Welders are craftspeople. They take fitted, tacked, and fixtured assemblies and produce welds that are structurally sound, dimensionally correct, and visually clean. But the job starts well before the arc is struck — a disciplined pre-weld review process is what separates a welder who produces rework from one who produces finished parts. At FabWest, we expect our welders to own the full process: reviewing the print thoroughly, planning the weld sequence, verifying fitment and part count before starting, and inspecting their own output against drawing requirements before anything moves to the next operation. Quality and throughput are both expected. Rework is expensive, and doing it right the first time is the standard.
Key Responsibilities
Pre-Weld Review & Preparation
- Count and verify parts against the work order before starting — confirm you have a complete kit before fitting begins
- Review engineering drawings thoroughly before starting each job, with particular attention to:
- Weld symbols, sizes, and locations
- Grind callouts and finish requirements
- Dimensional tolerances on the assembly
- Any special notes or customer-specific requirements
- Plan the weld sequence before striking an arc — understand which welds go first to control distortion, where heat input needs to be managed, and how sequence affects final dimensions
- If a weld callout is ambiguous, unusual, or unclear — ask before welding. Do not interpret or improvise on callouts that could affect structural integrity or customer requirements
- Review available 3D solid models or detailed assembly drawings to understand part geometry, weld access, and potential interference before starting complex assemblies
- Review and set up applicable fixtures before fitting — use fixtures correctly to hold assemblies to dimensional requirements during tacking and welding
- Inspect laser-cut parts for oxide layer or surface oils before welding — remove contamination as required, particularly on stainless steel, to ensure weld quality and prevent porosity or inclusions
- Perform a dry fit-up of the full assembly before tacking — measure critical dimensions, verify part orientation, and confirm the assembly is correct before committing to tacks
Tacking & Welding
- Tack assemblies in the correct sequence and locations to maintain alignment and control distortion
- Complete a tack review before proceeding to full welding — have another qualified team member cross-inspect tack placement, assembly geometry, and dimensional accuracy; do not proceed to full welds on a tack that hasn’t been verified
- Select appropriate filler materials, shielding gas, and welding parameters for each application, material, and position
- Perform TIG and/or MIG welding in all required positions per drawing requirements
- Weld to the specified size, location, and sequence — if a weld sequence is defined on the drawing or work order, follow it
Quality & Inspection
- Inspect all welds against drawing requirements for size, location, and visual quality — this is your inspection, not QA’s
- Verify weld penetration is adequate for the joint type and application
- Inspect all grinds for cleanliness and conformance to callout — flush grinds must be flush, blended grinds must be smooth, and any grind that affects structural integrity must be flagged
- Verify final assembly dimensions and tolerances — confirm the part fits the fixture or meets specified tolerances before releasing
- Initiate and complete first article inspection on new jobs or revised drawings in coordination with QA before running the full quantity
- Flag and quarantine any non-conforming parts; do not pass suspect work to the next operation
Part Staging & Handoff
- Verify final part count against the work order before staging for handoff
- Stage completed assemblies in an organized manner, protected from handling damage
- Attach and maintain the job traveler and paperwork with each lot through handoff
- Store any overrun or extra parts correctly, labeled and in the designated location
General
- Maintain welding equipment and report any issues requiring service
- Follow all safety practices including PPE, ventilation, fire prevention, and hot-work protocols
- Maintain accurate time entries against each job so that job costing data reflects actual labor
- Complete work order documentation and production logs accurately
Qualifications
- 2–4+ years of structural or precision fabrication welding experience depending on position level
- TIG welding proficiency required; MIG experience strongly preferred
- Ability to weld in multiple positions — flat, horizontal, vertical, overhead
- Experience welding stainless steel and/or aluminum a strong plus
- Demonstrated ability to read and work from fabrication drawings, weld symbols, and assembly callouts
- AWS certification preferred but not required — demonstrated skill and quality will be evaluated
- Strong pre-weld discipline: you review before you weld, you measure before you tack, and you inspect before you pass
- Self-motivated and quality-driven — you take ownership of your work from first fit to final inspection
Shop hours are 6:30 am - 3:00 pm.
Join us as a Welder and become an integral part of our manufacturing success! Your technical craft, attention to detail, proactive attitude, and dedication will give you the opportunity to grow with us. We look forward to welcoming motivated individuals ready to contribute their talents in a vibrant production environment.
Pay: $23.00 - $26.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
