Lead Welder

Job Title: Lead Welder

Job Description

This role leads welding projects within an engineering and manufacturing environment that focuses on steam generation and gas turbine co-generation equipment. You will serve as a working lead who manages projects and production timelines while actively performing advanced welding and fabrication work. The position combines hands-on welding, layout, and fitting with leadership responsibilities, ensuring that all weldments, pressure vessels, piping, and structural components meet A.S.M.E. boiler codes, weld procedures, and customer requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate welding projects from start to finish, ensuring production timelines and schedules are met.
• Act as a working lead by performing hands-on welding while overseeing daily activities of the welding team.
• Develop, coach, and mentor welders on best practices, safety, quality standards, and efficient work methods.
• Plan, schedule, and maintain project timelines, adjusting resources and priorities to keep projects on track.
• Lay out, fit, and weld a variety of weldments, pressure vessels, and piping in accordance with A.S.M.E. boiler codes and weld procedures.
• Read and interpret blueprints, drawings, and specifications to ensure accurate fabrication and assembly.
• Fabricate structural steel casings customized to surround pressure vessels installed in power plant environments.
• Perform code piping work, including fitting and welding interconnecting pipe runs that will be assembled in the field.
• Execute code welding of boiler tubes to pressure parts to meet stringent quality and safety requirements.
• Use multiple welding processes, including TIG, flux core, stick, and MIG, on materials such as stainless steel and mild steel.
• Ensure all welds meet internal quality standards, customer requirements, and applicable codes.
• Collaborate with engineering, fabrication, and production teams to resolve issues and improve processes.
• Promote a safe work environment by following established safety procedures and encouraging safe practices among team members.

Essential Skills

• At least 6 months of experience leading a welding team in a production or fabrication environment.
• A minimum of 3 years of TIG and/or flux core welding experience.
• Ability to pass a 6G weld test and an additional weld certification test as required.
• On-the-job experience welding pipe in an industrial or manufacturing setting.
• Proficiency with TIG welding on various materials.
• Proficiency with flux core welding processes.
• Skill in stick welding for structural and pressure applications.
• Experience with MIG welding for fabrication and production work.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints accurately.
• Experience welding stainless steel components.
• Experience welding mild steel components.
• Strong fitting skills for pipe, pressure parts, and structural steel.
• Capability to work to A.S.M.E. boiler codes and follow established weld procedures.
• Ability to perform code welding on piping and boiler tubes to pressure parts.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to weld quality and safety.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working in an environment focused on pressure vessels, tanks, or similar heavy fabrication is preferred.
• Technical school degree or diploma in welding is strongly preferred but not required.
• Experience TIG welding on pipe is highly desirable.
• Experience in complex fabrication for industries such as oil and gas, power generation, or foundries is an asset.
• Comfort working with multiple welding processes (TIG, flux core, stick, MIG) on a variety of materials.
• Ability to coach and train less experienced welders on techniques and best practices.
• Strong problem-solving skills when addressing fabrication or fit-up issues.
• Solid communication skills to coordinate with production, engineering, and other shop personnel.

Why Work Here?

You will join a rebranded organization with a strong presence in the oil and gas and power generation industries, known for handling complex and high-quality fabrication work. The company designs and manufactures major boiler systems for demanding industrial applications, offering exposure to challenging projects and advanced welding techniques. This environment provides a valuable opportunity to obtain 6G and additional welding certifications, supporting your long-term career growth and professional development. When business is strong, you can benefit from significant overtime opportunities, allowing you to increase your earnings while expanding your experience on large-scale industrial projects.

Work Environment

The role is based in a large manufacturing environment that supports the engineering and fabrication of steam generation and gas turbine co-generation equipment. The shop setting is typical of heavy industrial fabrication: somewhat dirty due to the nature of welding, grinding, and metalwork, but organized for efficient production. You will work around pressure vessels, piping, and structural steel casings designed for power plant and industrial installations. The environment involves the use of multiple welding processes, including TIG, flux core, stick, and MIG, on materials such as stainless steel and mild steel. Standard industrial attire and appropriate personal protective equipment are required to ensure safety while working around welding operations, fabrication equipment, and large assemblies.E

This is a Permanent position based out of Minneapolis, MN.

The pay range for this position is $72000.00 - $80000.00/yr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Health, dental, vision, 401k benefits, 3 weeks of PTO

This is a fully onsite position in Minneapolis,MN.

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 31, 2026.

About Aerotek

Aerotek® Inc. provides staffing and services solutions in manufacturing, logistics, construction, aviation, facilities and maintenance. We provide the expertise, solutions and people required to rise to the challenges of North American industry. Headquartered in Hanover, Md., Aerotek operates a unified network of over 200 offices across North America, supporting more than 18,000 clients each year. Aerotek is an Allegis Group company, the global leader in workforce and business solutions. To learn more, visit: Aerotek.com | 1-888-AEROTEK.

Aerotek offers weekly pay, employee benefits including medical, dental & vision, life insurance, health advocacy and employee assistance programs, a 401(k) plan, and employee discounts.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.

We know that finding work is hard, and finding meaningful work is harder. Aerotek connects 180,000+ light industrial and skilled trades workers with 14,000+ employers each year, helping our workers navigate an evolving labor market and find jobs that meet their goals, skills, and interests. Since 1983, we have provided a variety of career opportunities across North American industry – from short-term assignments at Fortune 500 companies where you can build your skills, to long-term opportunities where you can play a vital role in solving companies’ construction, manufacturing, and maintenance challenges. Our 1,500+ experienced recruiters across 250+ offices work relentlessly to put our workforce in a position to thrive. Let us rise to meet your challenges and put our people-are-everything spirit to the test as your career continues to grow.