Tack Welder / Fitter-Direct hire

Location: Hampton, VA
Shift: 1st Shift
Pay: $25–$30/hour
Employment Type: Direct hire

The Tack Welder / Fitter is responsible for fitting, aligning, positioning, and tack welding fabricated metal components in preparation for final welding and assembly.

This role requires strong blueprint-reading skills, accurate measuring and layout ability, and hands-on experience working with structural or fabricated metal components. The Tack Welder / Fitter will work closely with welders, fabricators, and production personnel to ensure assemblies are properly aligned, dimensionally accurate, and ready for final welding.

• Read and interpret blueprints, fabrication drawings, weld symbols, and technical specifications

• Measure, mark, position, and fit metal components according to drawings and job requirements

• Perform tack welding to hold parts securely in proper alignment before final welding

• Use clamps, fixtures, squares, levels, and other layout tools to maintain proper fit-up

• Verify dimensions, angles, gaps, and tolerances prior to welding

• Prepare metal surfaces by grinding, cleaning, beveling, or removing imperfections as needed

• Identify and correct fit-up or alignment issues before assemblies move to final welding

• Use MIG/GMAW and other applicable welding processes for tack welding

• Work with plate, structural components, brackets, frames, and fabricated assemblies

• Operate grinders, saws, drills, torches, and other fabrication equipment

• Move and position materials using appropriate material-handling equipment

• Perform visual inspections of completed fit-up and tack welds

• Communicate fabrication issues or drawing discrepancies to supervisors or production leads

• Maintain accurate production and quality documentation as required

• Maintain a clean and organized work area

• Follow all safety procedures and required PPE requirements

• Previous experience as a fitter, tack welder, fabricator, or structural welder

• Strong blueprint and fabrication drawing interpretation skills

• Ability to understand weld symbols and dimensional requirements

• Experience performing fit-up and tack welding

• Ability to accurately use tape measures, squares, levels, and other measuring tools

• Strong understanding of alignment, spacing, angles, and tolerances

• Familiarity with MIG/GMAW welding processes

• Experience using grinders, torches, saws, and fabrication tools

• Strong mechanical aptitude

• Ability to identify and correct fit-up issues

• Strong attention to detail and quality

• Ability to work independently and as part of a production team

• Experience in defense, aerospace, shipbuilding, structural fabrication, or heavy manufacturing

• Welding certification or vocational welding training

• Experience fitting large or complex fabricated assemblies

• Experience with carbon steel, stainless steel, or specialty metals

• Familiarity with quality-controlled or regulated manufacturing environments

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods

• Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, and work in varying positions

• Ability to lift and move materials up to 50 lbs. as needed

• Ability to work around welding equipment, sparks, heat, fumes, and manufacturing machinery

• Ability to safely wear required PPE