Torchora
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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Tig Welder

💰 $45,000 - $85,000

ManufacturingWeldingFabricationSkilled Trades

🎯 Role Definition

We are seeking a highly skilled Tig Welder (GTAW) capable of producing precision welds on stainless steel, aluminum, carbon steel and exotic alloys. The ideal candidate reads and interprets blueprints and welding symbols, sets up and operates TIG welding equipment (manual and orbital systems), adheres to WPS and ASME/AWS codes, performs nondestructive testing (NDT) as required, and documents weld data and inspection results. This role supports production, repair, prototype development and continuous improvement initiatives while maintaining a strong safety and quality focus.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Fabricator / Welder Helper
  • MIG Welder / SMAW Welder
  • Vocational Trade School Graduate (Welding Technology)

Advancement To:

  • Senior TIG Welder / Lead TIG Operator
  • Welding Supervisor / Shop Foreman
  • Welding Engineer / Welding Procedure Specialist
  • Quality Inspector (Welding/NDT)

Lateral Moves:

  • Pipe Welder (GTAW/GTAW-P)
  • Robotic/Automated Welder Operator
  • Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) / NDT Technician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Perform high-quality TIG (GTAW) welds on stainless steel, aluminum, carbon steel, and specialty alloys, producing full-penetration, fillet and butt joints to specified weld procedure specifications (WPS) while controlling heat input, distortion and metallurgical integrity.
  • Interpret and accurately act on engineering drawings, welding symbols, material callouts and dimensional tolerances to set up jobs, sequence welds and verify fit-up prior to welding.
  • Set up and operate manual and orbital TIG welding equipment, including adjusting amperage, pulse frequency, AC/DC balance, gas flow, and torch angle to meet material and joint requirements.
  • Prepare and secure workpieces using fixtures, clamps and jigs to ensure proper alignment and dimensional accuracy during welding, and make precision tack welds to maintain geometry.
  • Select appropriate filler metals, tungsten types, shielding gas recipes (purging/back-purge for piping and aluminum), and preheat/post-heat procedures according to material, WPS, and quality requirements.
  • Perform precision tungsten preparation and torch maintenance (sharpening, collet and electrode replacement), maintain gas lines, regulators and welding torches to ensure consistent weld quality and minimize downtime.
  • Execute weld procedure qualifications (WPQ) and sample coupons for evaluation, perform test welding, and collaborate with QA to complete mechanical and metallurgical testing when required.
  • Conduct visual weld inspection and accept/reject welds based on contract standards; perform and record nondestructive testing (NDT) such as dye penetrant (PT), visual testing (VT), and ultrasonic testing (UT) per procedure or in coordination with NDT technicians.
  • Maintain accurate welding and production records including WPS/WPQ references, weld maps, weld logs, heat numbers, time stamps, and inspection signatures for traceability and customer audits.
  • Troubleshoot weld defects (porosity, lack of fusion, undercut, cracking) and implement corrective actions such as adjusting parameters, changing technique, improving fit-up, or requesting engineering changes.
  • Meet daily production and quality KPIs while balancing speed and precision — prioritize critical builds and adjust sequencing to hit delivery schedules without sacrificing weld integrity.
  • Work directly with engineers and designers to provide manufacturability feedback and recommend design or joint improvements to reduce rework, improve cycle times, and lower overall fabrication cost.
  • Follow and enforce all safety procedures and PPE requirements, including inert gas ventilation, fume extraction, fire watch duties, and lockout/tagout where applicable.
  • Train and mentor junior welders and apprentices on TIG techniques, welding best practices, and shop safety standards; assist in developing standard work and training documentation.
  • Perform finishing work after welding — grinding, blending, smoothing, and preparing joints for final inspection or surface treatment to meet aesthetic and functional targets.
  • Operate and maintain orbital TIG systems, automated GTAW heads, and welding positioners; program or set up machines for repetitive, high-precision runs when required.
  • Coordinate with purchasing and inventory to track consumables (filler wire, tungsten, gases, backup rings) and report low-stock items to avoid production interruptions.
  • Perform preventive maintenance and basic repair on welding machines, torches, and ancillary equipment, escalating major issues to maintenance teams to ensure uptime.
  • Participate in continuous improvement, 5S and lean manufacturing initiatives — suggest process improvements, document best practices, and implement efficiency enhancements to reduce cycle times and scrap.
  • Ensure compliance with applicable codes and standards (AWS D1.1, ASME Section IX, ISO, customer-specific standards), and complete any required documentation to demonstrate conformance.

Secondary Functions

  • Assist fabrication teams with fixturing design, pre-assembly, and final assembly tasks when welding volumes fluctuate.
  • Support root cause investigations for recurring weld failure modes by collecting data, documenting findings, and implementing corrective actions with QA/engineering.
  • Help develop welding procedure specifications (WPS) and update shop standards to reflect lessons learned from production and testing.
  • Collaborate in prototype builds and R&D welding trials, capturing parameter sets and outcomes to scale successful techniques into production.
  • Provide input on tooling purchases and recommend consumable specifications to purchasing based on performance and cost-effectiveness.
  • Communicate daily with production planners and supervisors to prioritize orders, escalate delays, and ensure on-time delivery of welded assemblies.
  • Complete and file quality paperwork, certification packs, and customer export documents as part of project closeout requirements.
  • Participate in cross-functional safety committees and training programs to promote continuous safety and quality improvements.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Advanced TIG (GTAW) welding proficiency — manual and orbital systems.
  • Experience welding stainless steel, aluminum, carbon steel and common exotic alloys (Inconel, titanium) with demonstrated metallurgical awareness.
  • Familiarity with welding codes and standards: ASME Section IX, AWS D1.1 (and applicable customer codes).
  • Ability to read and interpret blueprints, welding symbols, GD&T and detail drawings accurately.
  • Proven experience developing and following Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS) and performing WPQ/WPQ testing.
  • Competence in nondestructive testing methods relevant to welding: Visual (VT), Dye Penetrant (PT), Ultrasonic Testing (UT) coordination, and knowledge of NDT acceptance criteria.
  • Skilled in torch setup, tungsten selection/sharpening, filler metal selection, gas selection (argon/back-purge), and heat control for thin- and thick-wall welding.
  • Experience with pulsed TIG, AC/DC control, foot pedal and fingertip controls, and orbital/automated TIG systems.
  • Proficiency with hand tools, grinders, polishers and finishing tools required to prepare and finish weld seams to required surface specifications.
  • Ability to maintain and interpret welding records, weld maps, traceability documents and basic data entry for production systems.
  • Familiarity with precision measuring tools: calipers, micrometers, tape, squares and templates.
  • Basic mechanical aptitude for performing routine maintenance on welding machines and torches.
  • Experience using welding positioners, fixtures and jigs to ensure repeatable, dimensionally accurate welds.
  • Knowledge of welding safety procedures, fume extraction, and PPE requirements.

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional attention to detail and focus on weld quality and repeatability.
  • Strong problem-solving skills and a methodical approach to diagnosing weld defects and process issues.
  • Clear communication skills for coordinating with engineers, QA, production and procurement.
  • Team-player mentality with experience mentoring junior welders and supporting cross-functional teams.
  • Time-management and prioritization skills to meet production schedules and deadlines.
  • Adaptability and willingness to adopt new welding technologies and techniques.
  • Commitment to continuous improvement and participation in Kaizen/5S activities.
  • Strong work ethic and reliability, including a safety-first mindset.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High School Diploma or GED; vocational or on-the-job welding training.

Preferred Education:

  • Technical diploma or certificate in Welding Technology, Fabrication or a related trade school program.
  • AWS Certified Welder, AWS GTAW certification, or ASME Section IX qualifications preferred.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Welding Technology
  • Fabrication & Metalworking
  • Mechanical or Manufacturing Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 2–7 years of hands-on TIG welding experience in a production or fabrication environment.

Preferred: 5+ years of TIG welding experience with demonstrated experience welding stainless steel and aluminum to ASME/AWS codes, documented WPQ/WPS experience, and experience performing or supporting NDT inspections.

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