Welder

Welder

First Shift | Custom Fabrication | Growth & Skill Development

We are seeking a skilled Welder to join our custom job shop fabrication team. This role is ideal for someone who takes pride in craftsmanship, can work independently, and enjoys hands‑on welding in a project‑based environment. You’ll set up your own equipment, weld to print, and inspect your work before it moves to the next stage of production.

What You’ll Do

In this role, you’ll work on a variety of custom fabrication projects from start to finish.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform MIG welding on mild steel, sheet metal, and heavy plate (as applicable)
• Weld parts according to blueprints, layouts, and work orders
• Independently set up welding equipment, including selecting proper wire size based on material type and thickness
• Fit and assemble parts prior to welding to ensure proper alignment
• Read and interpret blueprints to determine weld locations, dimensions, and sequencing
• Use basic shop math to verify measurements (down to 1/16” or 1/32”)
• Inspect completed welds for quality, accuracy, and conformance to specs
• Complete inspection sheets and quality documentation
• Use hand tools and shop tools to prep, position, and finish welded components
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work area

Role Flexibility

• Welder‑focused roles: Heavy plate welding with cored wire to AWS D1.1 standards
• Welder/Fitter roles: Take parts from fit‑up through welding and final checks (training provided as needed)

What We’re Looking For

Required Qualifications

• MIG welding experience in a fabrication or job shop environment
• Ability to read and apply welding blueprints and drawings
• Experience with fit‑up and part alignment
• Ability to set up your own welding machine and inspect your own work
• Basic shop math skills
• Comfortable using hand tools and basic shop equipment
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality and safety

Preferred / Nice to Have

• TIG and/or stick welding experience
• Sheet metal fabrication experience
• AWS D1.1 certification or prior experience welding to AWS D1.1 standards
• Experience with cored wire welding
• Prior custom job shop or fabrication experience
• Willingness to learn fitting and cross‑training opportunities

Schedule

• First Shift: Monday–Friday
• 7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
• Occasional overtime, typically not past 4:30 p.m.
• Consistent daytime hours to support work‑life balance

Why You’ll Want to Work Here

• Stable, well‑established fabrication operation
• Culture that values quality, craftsmanship, and pride in work
• Opportunities to grow skills and cross‑train in fitting and fabrication
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off
• Supportive team environment with steady workflow
• Regular first‑shift schedule—no rotating shifts

Work Environment

• Custom job shop welding facility
• Primarily MIG welding, with exposure to TIG and stick welding
• Work with mild steel, sheet metal, and heavy plate
• Hands‑on fabrication using welding machines, hand tools, and measuring tools
• Standard welding PPE and appropriate shop attire required
• Safety‑focused, organized production environment

If you’re a welder who enjoys custom work and taking ownership of your craftsmanship, we’d love to hear from you. Apply today!

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Rockford, IL.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $18.00 - $25.00/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 Rockford,IL.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Apr 23, 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.

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