Welder Machinist is a skilled professional who performs both welding and machining activities. More candidly, the role combines expertise in welding techniques with the ability to operate machine tools and equipment to fabricate and repair metal parts. The profession requires certain qualifications such as education, experience, certification, duties, skills, etc. The working job profile may vary depending on the employer and industry types. Welder machinists work in industries like construction, aerospace, manufacturing, and automotive. So, let us dive into the details of the welder machinist job description.
Post Highlights:
- Position Levels
- Educational Qualifications
- Course Types
- Certification/License
- Work Experience
- Duties/Responsibilities
- Equipment Types
- Abilities/Skills
- Work Environment
- Physical Requirements
- Resume Format
- Top Industries
- Job Types
- Salary Information
- Benefits/Perks
Position Levels
Some common job levels include-
- Entry-Level Welder Machinist
- Junior Welder Machinist
- Mid-Level Welder Machinist
- Senior Welder Machinist
- Specialist/Lead Welder Machinist
- Inspector/Quality Control Welder Machinist
- Supervisor/Managerial Roles
Educational Qualifications
Typical educational requirements include-
- High School Diploma or Equivalent
- Vocational Training or Technical Education
- Bachelor’s Degree (welding engineering, manufacturing technology)
- AWS Certified Welder certification
- Apprenticeship Programs
- NIMS Certification (machining)
Course Types
Some common course types include-
- Advanced Welding Courses
- Apprenticeship Programs
- Basic Welding Courses
- Blueprint Reading Courses
- CNC Programming/Operation Courses
- Machining Courses
- Online Welding/Machining Courses
- Safety/Welding Codes Courses
- Specialized Welding Courses
- Welding Certifications
- Welding Inspection/Quality Control Courses
- Welding/Machining Technology Programs
Certification/License
Some common certification types include-
- AWS Certified Welder (CW)
- AWS Certified Welding Educator (CWE)
- AWS Certified Welding Engineer (CWE)
- AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI)
- AWS Certified Welding Supervisor (CWS)
- ABS Welder Certifications (for marine and offshore welding)
- API Welder Certifications (specific to welding in the petroleum industry)
- ASME Certifications (for pressure vessels, boilers, and other components)
- Manufacturer-Specific Certification
- NDT Certification
- NIMS Certifications (for machining and metalworking skills)
- Pipe Welding Certification
- Specialized Industry Certification
- Structural Welding Certification
Work Experience
Some common experience types include-
- Custom Fabrication Experience
- General Welding Experience
- Industry-Specific Experience
- Machining Experience
- Maintenance/Repair Experience
- Marine/Offshore Welding Experience
- Pipe Welding Experience
- Pressure Vessel Welding Experience
- Quality Control/Inspection Experience
- Structural Welding Experience
- Supervisory/Leadership Experience
- Teaching/Training Experience
Duties/Responsibilities
Some common duties include-
- Adhere to safety protocols/guidelines
- Conduct welding tests/inspections
- Ensure welds meet specified quality
- Generate reports/documentation
- Identify/address any defects/issues
- Inspect finished products
- Keep accurate records of work activities
- Maintain a high level of precision
- Maintain an organized work environment
- Maintain/repair welding equipment
- Meet tight tolerances and specifications
- Operate machine tools
- Perform NDT methods as required
- Perform routine maintenance on machining equipment
- Perform various welding processes
- Prepare materials for welding/machining
- Provide input on design/fabrication processes
- Read/interpret technical drawings/blueprints
- Select appropriate materials/welding consumables
- Set up/program CNC machines
- Share knowledge with novice/less experienced
- Train junior welder machinists, new hires, or apprentices
- Troubleshoot issues that may arise
- Use precision measurement tools
- Weld parts together as per blueprints
- Work closely with team members
Equipment Types
Some common equipment types include-
Welding Equipment-
- Gas Cylinders
- Welding Curtains/Screens
- Welding Electrodes/Wire
- Welding Guns/Torches
- Welding Helmets/Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Welding Machines
- Welding Positioners/Rotators
- Welding Tables/Fixtures
Machining Equipment-
- CNC Machines
- Coolant Systems
- Cutting Tools
- Deburring Equipment
- Drilling Machines
- Grinding Machines
- Lathe Machines
- Machine Maintenance Tools
- Milling Machines
- Precision Measurement Tools
- Surface Plates
- Toolholders/Tooling
- Work Holding Devices
Abilities/Skills
Some key skills include-
- Ability to choose the appropriate welding method
- Ability to operate CNC machines
- Adaptability to different welding/machining challenges
- Adhere to safety protocols/procedures
- Attention to detail
- Communication skills
- Competence in operating machine tools
- Good understanding of mechanical systems
- Knowledge of material preparation techniques
- Knowledge of NDT methods
- Knowledge of welding codes
- Precision in measuring workpieces
- Problem-solving skills
- Proficiency in reading/interpreting blueprints
- Proficiency in using PPE
- Proficiency in various welding processes
- Quality control skills
- Strong mathematical abilities
- Teamwork collaboration abilities
- Time management skills
- Understanding of geometric dimensioning/tolerancing
- Understanding of various metals and alloys
- Welding equipment operating skills
Work Environment
Some common working conditions include-
- Collaborate with team members
- Expose to varying weather conditions
- Exposure to various occupational hazards
- May need to travel to job sites
- May work both irregular or extended hours
- May work with advanced equipment/technologies
- Must adhere to strict safety guidelines
- Overtime work may be required
- Wear hearing protection to mitigate noise levels
- Wear personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Work both indoors and outdoors
Physical Requirements
Some common physical demands include-
- Handle awkward or bulky objects
- May carry/transport welding equipment/machines
- May need to stoop, bend, or crouch while working
- May need to climb ladders, or work on elevated surfaces
- May need to lift/handle heavy metal materials
- May need to resist extreme temperatures
- May need to work in confined/tight spaces
- Repetitive actions can lead to muscular fatigue
- Stand for extended periods
- Work often involves repetitive motions
- Work requires continuous stamina/endurance
Resume Format
A suggested resume format includes-
Contact Information
- Full Name
- Phone Number
- Email Address
- Location (city and state)
Resume Summary (Optional)
- Briefly summarize your career goals, key qualifications
- This section is optional but can help grab the employer’s attention
Professional Experience
- List your work history (most recent job first)
- Also, include the following details for each position-
Job Title
Company Name
Dates of Employment
Responsibilities/Achievements
- Describe your duties, responsibilities, and accomplishments in bullet points.
- Be specific about the types of projects you worked on, welding/machining skills, and any notable achievements
Education
- List your educational background (most recent first)
- Also, include the following details-
Degree or Certification
School or Institution Name
Location of the institution
Graduation Date (month/year)
Certifications/Training (if applicable)
- Highlight any industry-specific certifications or training programs
- Include the certification name, issuing organization, and date of certification
Skills
- Add a skills section to showcase your relevant skills
- Mention both hard and soft skills
- Highlight welding techniques/other relevant skills
Additional Sections (Optional)
- Awards and Honors
- Projects and Portfolio
- Languages Spoken (if multilingual)
- Memberships or Affiliations with professional organizations
References
- Generally, not required (you can produce it upon request)
Resume Formatting Tips-
- Ensure no grammatical errors/mistakes
- Focus on the most relevant and impactful details
- Keep the resume to a maximum of two pages,
- Organize information using bullet points to enhance readability
- Use a clean and professional font with a readable size (11-12 points)
Top Industries
Some common employment areas include-
- Aerospace/Defense Industry
- Agriculture/Farm Equipment Sectors
- Automotive Industry
- Construction Industry
- Custom Fabrication Shops
- Educational Institutions.
- Energy/Power Generation Units
- Heavy Equipment Manufacturing Industries
- Industrial Maintenance/Repair Units
- Manufacturing Companies
- Metal Fabrication Shops
- Mining/Extraction Industry
- Oil and Gas Industry
- Railroad/Transportation Industry
- Self-Employment/Entrepreneurship
- Shipbuilding/Maritime Industry
Job Types
Some common job types include-
- Aerospace Welder
- CNC Machinist
- Educator or Trainer
- Entrepreneur
- Machinist Technician
- Maintenance Technician
- Marine Welder
- Pipe Welder
- Pressure Vessel Welder
- Quality Control Inspector
- Structural Welder
- Welder Machinist
- Welding Engineer
- Welding Supervisor
- Welding Technician
Salary Information
The average hourly wage for a welder machinist in the United States is $25. But the factors such as industry type, experience, work location, expertise level, and employer type affect salary trends.
However, the approximate salary figures for welder machinists include.
Hourly Wage
- Entry-Level – $15 to $20
- Mid-Career – $20 to $30
- Experienced – $25 to $35 or more
Monthly Salary
- Entry-Level – $2,600 to $3,467
- Mid-Career – $3,467 to $5,200
- Experienced – $4,333 to $7,000 or more
Yearly Salary
- Entry-Level – $31,200 to $41,600
- Mid-Career – $41,600 to $62,400
- Experienced – $52,000 to $84,000 or more
These salary figures are just estimates, actual ranges can vary from employer to employer depending on the very local factors and market trends.
Benefits/Perks
Some common benefits include-
- Bonuses/Incentives
- Disability Insurance
- Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)
- Employee Discounts
- Flexible Work Arrangements
- Further Education/Training Support
- Health Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Overtime Pay
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Professional Development
- Relocation Assistance
- Retirement Plans (401k)
- Safety Gear/Equipment
- Tool/Uniform Allowance
- Tuition Reimbursement
Summary
Welder Machinists are pivotal figures in various industries. They employ welding and machining skills to repair, fabricate, and maintain metal components/structures. The profession is physically demanding. Welder Machinists are required to be skillful in machining processes, have expertise in welding techniques, and have a commitment to safety protocols. The employment scope for welder machinists is widespread in a range of industries and can earn competitive salaries. After all, the success key is to develop skills continuously and stay updated on industry standards.
