Orbital Welder is a highly skilled professional who performs welding operations using orbital welding equipment. These professionals create precise and high-quality welds on various metal components. They need to interpret technical specifications and engineering drawings for component alignment correctly. Orbital Welders should have a strong understanding of welding processes such as Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) or Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welding. They work in various industrial settings such as oil refineries, manufacturing plants, construction sites, and power generation facilities. In this article, read all about the orbital welder job description.
Post Highlights:
- Position Levels
- Educational Qualifications
- Course Types
- Certification/License
- Work Experience
- Duties/Responsibilities
- Orbital Welding Equipment
- Orbital Welding Codes
- Abilities/Skills
- Work Environment
- Physical Requirements
- Top Industries
- Job Types
- Salary Information
- Benefits/Perks
Orbital Welder Levels
- Entry-Level Orbital Welder
- Intermediate Orbital Welder
- Advanced Orbital Welder
Educational Qualifications
Some common educational requirements include-
- High School Diploma or Equivalent
- Vocational/Technical Training
- Welding Certifications (the American Welding Society)
- On-the-Job Training/Apprenticeships
Course Types
Some common course types include-
- Vocational/Technical School Welding Programs
- Welding Certification Courses – by AWS
- Orbital Welding Equipment Manufacturer Courses
- Continuing Education/Professional Development Courses
- Online Orbital Welding Courses
Certification/License
Some common relevant certification types include-
- AWS Certified Welder (CW)
- AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI)
- ASME Section IX Welder Qualification
- Orbital Welding Equipment Manufacturer Certifications
- IIW Welding Specialist or Technologist Certifications
Work Experience
Some common experience types include-
- Apprenticeships or Internships
- Industry-Specific Experience
- Leadership/Project Management Roles
- Project-Based Experience
- Training Programs/Workshops
Duties/Responsibilities
Some common duties include-
- Adhere to safety protocols/guidelines at all times
- Collaborate with other team members
- Comply with applicable welding codes and industry standards
- Conduct inspections of the welds using NDT methods
- Document/report inspection results
- Handle/prepare the materials to be welded
- Keep the work area clean/organized
- Maintain detailed records of the welding activities
- Monitor the welding process
- Operate the orbital welding equipment
- Perform routine maintenance on the orbital welding equipment
- Prepare the welding equipment
- Read/interpret blueprint, and engineering drawings
- Set up the welding parameters
- Use proper welding techniques
Orbital Welding Equipment
Some essential equipment includes-
- Cooling Systems
- Data Logging/Documentation Tools
- Gas Supply System
- Orbital Welding Head
- Orbital Welding Power Supply
- Welding Controller
- Welding Fixtures/Clamps
- Welding Torch/Electrode Holder
Orbital Welding Codes
Some commonly referenced codes include-
- AWS D18.1/D18.1M:2019 Specification for Welding of Austenitic Stainless-Steel Tube and Pipe Systems in Sanitary (Hygienic) Applications
- ASME B31.1 Power Piping and ASME B31.3 Process Piping codes
- ISO 15614-8:2016 Specification and Qualification of Welding Procedures for Metallic Materials – Welding Procedure Tests for Orbital Welding of Tube-to-Tube Plate Joints
- EN ISO 15614-8:2018 Specification and Qualification of Welding Procedures for Metallic Materials – Welding Procedure Tests for Orbital Tube-to-Tube Plate Welding
- National Board Inspection Code (NBIC) guidelines
- Industry-Specific Codes for Orbital Welding-
-United States Pharmacopeia (USP)
-International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE)
Abilities/Skills
Some key abilities include-
- Adaptability
- Attention to detail
- Good sense of spatial awareness
- Good Communication Skills
- Hand-eye coordination
- Manual dexterity
- Mechanical aptitude
- Problem-solving skills
- Safety consciousness
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Time management skills
Work Environment
Some common work conditions include-
- Adhere to safety protocols and wear (PPE)
- May be required to travel to different job sites
- May face different levels of noise
- May require regular daytime hours, while others may involve shift work
- Must comply with safety protocols, regulations, and guidelines
- Often work as part of a team
- Work in various environments
Physical Requirements
Some common physical demands include-
- Ability to maintain balance/mobility
- Eye-hand-foot coordination
- Good eyesight is crucial
- May handle heavy welding equipment
- May need to work in confined spaces
- May require to work in challenging positions
- Need to maintain focus/concentration thoroughly
- Often need to stand for extended periods
- Perform repetitive welding motions
- Precise control over hand movements
- Require good manual dexterity
Top Industries
Some common job areas include-
- Chemical Processing Plants
- Construction Companies
- Food and Beverage Industry
- Manufacturing Industries
- Oil and Gas Industry
- Petrochemical Refineries
- Pharmaceutical/Biotechnology Industries
- Power Generation Plants
- Research/Development Settings
- Shipbuilding/Marine Industry
Job Types
Some common job titles include-
- Welding Engineer
- Welding Consultant
- Welding Inspector
- Project Manager
- Welding Instructor/Trainer
- Orbital Welding Technician
- Welding Supervisor
Salary Information
The average hourly wage of an Orbital Welder in the United States is $26.00. Further, this ranges from $25 to $35 per hour. The factors like education, certification, work experience, skills, location, and company size affect salary trends.
However, the approximate salary ranges for Orbital Welders include-
- Hourly Wage – $20 to $40
- Monthly Salary – $3,500 to $7,000
- Yearly Salary – $42,000 to $84,000
These salary figures are just estimates, actual figures can vary from place to place.
Benefits/Perks
The most common benefits include-
- 401(k) Plan
- Employee Assistance Program
- Health Savings Account (HSA)
- Life Insurance
- Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance
- Paid Time Off
- Short/Long-Term Disability
- Vacation/Sick Leave
- Wellness Program
Summary
Orbital Welders play a crucial role in various industries. They require specialized welding skills and knowledge. They execute welds, operate orbital welding equipment, and ensure compliance with standards. The profession requires certain qualifications. Orbital welders work in various industries such as power generation, oil and gas, manufacturing, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and construction. Overall, orbital welding offers a rewarding career to aspiring candidates with a passion for welding activities.
