Welder job description template

Position Identification Details

1. Position Summary

The Welder fabricates, joins, and repairs metal components and structures to support manufacturing, construction, or maintenance operations across [ORGANIZATION_NAME]. Reporting directly to [REPORTS_TO_TITLE], the role interprets technical drawings, determines welding parameters, and applies standard fusion techniques to produce assemblies that meet structural specifications. The position maintains day-to-day accountability for personal safety, equipment maintenance, and quality compliance at the workstation. The primary outcome of this role is the consistent delivery of structurally sound, defect-free welded products completed within production schedules and material tolerances. Occupational classification and skill benchmarks align with national industry taxonomy.

2. Key Responsibilities

2.1 Blueprint Interpretation and Layout Preparation (15%)

• Read and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, welding symbols, and job specifications to determine project dimensions and structural tolerances.
• Measure, mark, and scribe layout lines on workpieces using standard layout tools, straightedges, and squares to ensure precise fit-up.
• Calculate material requirements and plan welding sequences to prevent component distortion and thermal stress.

2.2 Material Preparation and Thermal Cutting (15%)

• Cut, bevel, gouge, and clean metal workpieces using plasma arc, oxy-fuel torches, and mechanical grinders according to design specifications.
• Pre-heat workpieces and post-heat finished joints when required by base material metallurgy and weld procedures.
• Clamp, tack-weld, and align components into jigs or fixtures to establish rigid assembly foundations prior to final welding.

2.3 Production and Maintenance Welding Operations (35%)

• Operate manual, semi-automatic, and automated welding equipment using processes such as Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), Flux-Cored Arc Welding (FCAW), and Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW).
• Adjust voltage, amperage, wire feed speed, gas flow rates, and electrode angles to match joint configurations, material types, and welding positions.
• Deposit root, fill, and cap passes according to approved welding procedure specifications (WPS) to achieve structural integrity.
• Execute field repairs and structural modifications on installed assemblies, machinery, or structural steel as scheduled by [REPORTS_TO_TITLE].

2.4 Quality Control and Defect Rectification (15%)

• Inspect finished weldments visually for dimensional accuracy, penetration, fusion, undercut, porosity, and surface irregularities before submission.
• Assist internal quality personnel and third-party inspectors during non-destructive testing (NDT) procedures.
• Gouge, grind, and re-weld identified defective sections to return assemblies to drawing standards with minimal material waste.

2.5 Equipment Maintenance and Tool Care (5%)

• Perform daily operator inspections on welding machines, wire feeders, gas regulators, torches, cables, and ventilation equipment.
• Replace worn consumables including contact tips, nozzles, diffusers, liners, and grinding discs.
• Report mechanical malfunctions, electrical hazards, or gas delivery faults immediately to [REPORTS_TO_TITLE].

2.6 Health, Safety, and Housekeeping (10%)

• Comply with provincial occupational health and safety regulations, internal safe work procedures, and Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) requirements.
• Don and maintain all required personal protective equipment, including welding helmets, respiratory protection, leather protection, and safety footwear.
• Maintain clean, organized, and hazard-free workstations by storing gas cylinders, managing power cables, and removing scrap metal daily.

2.7 Production Documentation and Inventory Tracking (5%)

• Log daily production hours, material usage, and finished part counts in [HRIS_NAME] or the local production tracking log.
• Record heat numbers and filler metal lot numbers on project tracking sheets where material traceability is required.
• Notify [REPORTS_TO_TITLE] of depleted filler metal, shielding gas, or consumables to avoid operational downtime.

3. Qualifications & Experience

Position Qualifications and Experience Requirements

4. Competencies

Core and Technical Competencies

5. Working Conditions & Performance Measures

5.1 Working Conditions and Physical Demands

The physical demands described below represent those required to perform the essential duties of the position successfully and support workplace accommodation assessments.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands Assessment

5.2 Performance Measures

Key Performance Indicators and Evaluation Standards

6. Career Path

6.1 Typical Prior Experience

• High school vocational trade program or pre-apprenticeship welding certificate.
• Registered Welder Apprentice (Years 1 to 3).
• Welder Helper, Fitter Assistant, or General Shop Labourer in a steel fabrication environment.

6.2 Potential Advancement Opportunities

• Lead Welder / Chargehand: Supervising day-to-day workstation throughput and mentoring apprentices.
• Welding Inspector (Quality Assurance): Conducting formal visual and non-destructive testing of structural welds.
• Welding Supervisor / Shop Foreman: Managing overall fabrication shop floor operations, scheduling, and staff.
• Welding Specialist / Technical Trainer: Developing welding procedures and onboarding trade apprentices.

7. Position Acknowledgement

This job description outlines the primary duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required for the Welder position at [ORGANIZATION_NAME]. It does not constitute an exhaustive list of all tasks that may be assigned. Operational requirements may necessitate amendments to this description, which will be communicated with reasonable notice. [ORGANIZATION_NAME] provides reasonable workplace accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable human rights legislation and employment equity principles.

Incumbent Signature: ____
Incumbent Name (Printed): [EMPLOYEENAME]
Date: [DD-MMM-YYYY]

Supervisor Signature: ____
Supervisor Name (Printed): [MANAGERNAME]
Date: [DD-MMM-YYYY]

What to fill in