TIG Welder

Position Overview

We are seeking a highly skilled, meticulous, and dedicated TIG Welder to join our expanding manufacturing team on a full-time basis. In this role, you will be primarily responsible for operating Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG / GTAW) welding equipment to fabricate, join, and assemble high-grade carbon steel, stainless steel, and alloy components. The ideal candidate will possess a strong mechanical aptitude, exceptional hand-eye coordination, and a steadfast dedication to producing cosmetically clean, structurally sound, x-ray quality welds.

A critical component of this role is the absolute proficiency in interpreting complex engineering blueprints and technical schematics. You will take raw steel materials and transform them into finished assemblies that satisfy stringent quality control standards and customer specifications. If you have between 2 and 5 years of verified professional experience in structural or sheet metal TIG welding and take pride in precision craftsmanship, we encourage you to apply.

Detailed Roles & Responsibilities

The duties of the TIG Welder extend beyond laying clean beads. You will participate in the complete lifecycle of component assembly, including planning, preparation, fabrication, finishing, and quality auditing. Your core responsibilities include:

1. Blueprint Reading and Technical Layout

• Examine and interpret detailed mechanical blueprints, engineering CAD drawings, architectural drawings, and welding symbols to ascertain structural specifications and tolerances.
• Calculate dimensions, joint allowances, material thickness limitations, and bend deduction data prior to striking an arc.
• Plan the sequence of cutting, positioning, fitting, and welding to minimize internal stresses, heat input, and dimensional distortion in the steel workpieces.
• Verify correct bill of materials (BOM), checking that cut lengths, steel grades, and quantities align with the designated job traveler.

2. Material Preparation, Fit-Up, and Fixturing

• Prepare steel materials by deburring, grinding, beveling, wiping down, and mechanically cleaning joint surfaces to remove scale, rust, grease, and mill impurities that could compromise weld integrity.
• Select, align, clamp, and tack-weld components into proper alignment according to print tolerances using precision measurement tools (calipers, height gauges, micrometers, angle finders).
• Design, construct, or configure manual jigs, tables, and fixtures to secure parts during production runs, ensuring repeatable precision across high-volume orders.
• Inspect fit-up gaps and pre-heat base metals when dictated by welding procedures (WPS) or engineering specifications.

3. TIG (GTAW) Welding Operations

• Perform manual GTAW/TIG processes on diverse steel profiles, including thin-gauge sheet metal, structural tubing, bar stock, pipe, and heavy plate steel.
• Fine-tune welding power sources, setting optimal high-frequency controls, amperage ranges, pulsing parameters, AC/DC balance, post-flow gas timings, and duty cycles tailored to specific steel gauges.
• Regulate shielding gases (Argon, Helium mixtures) and flow meters to preserve the molten puddle from atmospheric contamination and porosity.
• Select appropriate tungsten electrodes, grind precise points or flats suited to current applications, and match filler wire chemistry and thickness to base metal requirements.
• Execute multi-pass welds, fillet welds, groove welds, and butt joints across all operational positions (flat, horizontal, vertical-up, and overhead).
• Control travel speed and heat input diligently to avoid burn-through, warping, discoloration, or excessive HAZ (Heat-Affected Zone) metallurgical degradation.

4. Inspection, Finishing, and Maintenance

• Visually inspect 100% of finished joints for defects including porosity, cracks, undercut, lack of penetration, burn-through, excessive reinforcement, and incomplete fusion.
• Use weld fillet gauges, straight edges, and optical inspection aids to confirm adherence to dimensional drawings.
• Clean and post-process welded assemblies utilizing wire brushes, pickling pastes, orbital sanders, and blending discs to meet exact cosmetic or grain-finish requirements.
• Perform preventative maintenance on TIG torches, cables, water-coolers, gas regulators, ground clamps, and personal protective gear.
• Log material traceability, fill out inspection documentation, and sign off on production run sheets via our internal Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) terminal.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

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:

• Ability to maintain a steady hand and excellent manual dexterity while holding torches and feeding filler rod in tight and awkward spaces for extended periods.
• Continuous standing, bending, kneeling, stooping, and crouching throughout an 8 to 10-hour work shift.
• Capability to frequently lift, carry, and maneuver materials, components, and tools weighing up to 50 lbs unassisted.
• Close visual acuity, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus with or without corrective lenses, alongside proper use of variable shade welding helmets.
• Willingness to work in an active industrial facility with moderate noise, ambient temperature fluctuations, and airborne metallic dust (appropriate PPE provided and required).

Compensation, Benefits, and Company Culture

We believe in recognizing and rewarding dedicated talent. For the right individual, this position offers significant room for professional development, cross-training, and upward mobility within our operational hierarchy. We offer a competitive total compensation package, which includes:

• Competitive hourly wage commensurate with verified experience, blueprint mastery, and weld-test performance ($22.00 – $29.00/hour starting).
• Comprehensive Health, Dental, and Vision insurance plans with family coverage options.
• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with generous company matching contribution.
• Paid Time Off (PTO), accrued vacation time, and paid recognized company holidays.
• Annual safety boot reimbursement program and complete provision of all PPE, including safety glasses, grinding shields, replacement lenses, and welding jackets.
• Clean, state-of-the-art work bays equipped with individual fume extraction hoods and modern inverter-based TIG welding power supplies.