Welder

Job Title: Structural Steel Welder

Job Description

The Structural Steel Welder works in a shop environment to weld and fabricate structural steel components for commercial, industrial, institutional, and mission-critical construction projects. Thisrole focuses on producing beams, columns, connections, and miscellaneous steel assemblies that meet detailed fabrication drawings, welding specifications, and applicable codes, while supporting an integrated structural steel process from design support through fabrication and field erection.

Responsibilities

• Review fabrication drawings, work orders, weld symbols, and welding procedures before starting each assignment to ensure a clear understanding of requirements.

• Set up welding equipment properly, verify materials, and confirm joint fit-up and alignment to meet specified tolerances.

• Perform structural welds on carbon steel components using MIG and flux-cored welding processes for beams, columns, base plates, stiffeners, clips, and connection assemblies in multiple positions.

• Control weld penetration, bead profile, and heat input to minimize distortion and maintain structural integrity.

• Clean welds, remove slag, and perform basic grinding or touch-up work to achieve the required finish and appearance.

• Self-inspect completed welds for quality, appearance, and compliance with drawings, weld symbols, and specifications.

• Coordinate closely with fitters, supervisors, and quality personnel to resolve fit-up or weld issues and reduce rework.

• Follow all safety procedures, including hot-work practices and PPE requirements, to maintain a safe and orderly work area.

• Prepare completed assemblies for inspection, coating, or shipment according to production and quality standards.

• Operate and maintain tools and equipment such as wire-feed welding guns, torches, grinders, and magnetic drills as part of daily production work.

Essential Skills

• At least 2 years of recent welding experience in a production or structural steel environment.

• Hands-on experience performing structural MIG welding on carbon steel components.

• Ability to perform welds in multiple positions, including flat, horizontal, vertical, and overhead.

• Proven ability to control bead profile, penetration, and fusion to produce consistent, code-compliant welds.

• Understanding of how weld quality impacts overall structural integrity and performance.

• Ability to read and interpret fabrication drawings, blueprints, and weld symbols accurately.

• Knowledge of joint types, weld sizes, and connection details used in structural steel fabrication.

• Ability to identify potential fit-up or weld issues in advance and communicate them effectively to reduce rework.

• Comfort following written work instructions and welding procedures in a production setting.

• Experience with flux-core and MIG welding processes in a structural steel or weld shop environment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with fabrication, fitting, and tack welding of structural assemblies.

• Background working in a weld shop or structural steel fabrication facility.

• Familiarity with using grinders, torches, wire-feed guns, and magnetic drills in daily work.

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to producing high-quality, structurally sound welds.

• Ability to work collaboratively with fitters, supervisors, and quality personnel in a team-driven environment.

Why Work Here?

You will work in a professional fabrication environment producing large-scale structural steel for high-profile construction projects, gaining exposure to complex assemblies and modern equipment. The culture emphasizes craftsmanship, safety, and accountability, offering long-term stability and a strong sense of pride in the finished product. You will have opportunities to expand your skills and grow within structural steel fabrication while contributing to impactful projects across the region.

Work Environment

This role is based in a non-climate-controlled fabrication and weld shop that focuses on structural steel production. The standard schedule runs Monday through Friday, with some Saturday work as needed to meet project demands. You will work with modern welding equipment, including MIG and flux-core systems, wire-feed guns, torches, grinders, and magnetic drills. Personal protective equipment is required at all times, including steel-toe footwear, hard hat, safety glasses, and gloves. Candidates should be prepared to complete a weld test as part of the hiring process and to work safely in an active, production-oriented shop environment.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Richmond, VA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $24.00 - $32.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision

• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital

• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available

• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)

• Short and long-term disability

• Health Spending Account (HSA)

• Transportation benefits

• Employee Assistance Program

• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Richmond,VA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 12, 2026.

About Aerotek

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 meets 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 solving for 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.

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.