Main Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Welder

A Welder is a professional who specializes in joining metal parts together using various welding techniques. They play a vital role in construction, manufacturing, and repair industries, contributing to the creation of structures, machinery, and products. In this blog post, we will describe the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Welders.

Get market insights and compare skills for other jobs here.

Main Responsibilities of a Welder

The following list describes the typical responsibilities of a Welder:

Adhere to

Adhere to all safety policies and procedures.
Adhere to all safety policies and the use of all PPE and safe work practise.
Adhere to project schedules and meet deadlines.

Align

Align and fits components together using scriber, scale, straight edge, files and grinders.

Apply

Apply knowledge of different welding techniques, such as MIG, TIG, or arc welding.

Assemble

Assemble and level galvanized steel pool walls.
Assemble items as instructed by your team lead.
Assemble jig fixture to standard.

Assess

Assess priorities to determine what is urgently needed.

Assist in

Assist as required during inspection verification or modification / maintenance procedures.
Assist in development of repair estimates.
Assist in other production and plant areas when required.
Assist in the development of welding procedures or specifications.
Assist to Fit, air test parts.
Assist to set-up and maintain company equipment.
Assist welders to program the correct parameters.
Assist with general labor duties as needed.

Bend

Bend steel components using a break ad shear.

Build

Build products from blueprints and ensure internal quality measures are applied.

Calculate

Calculate material measurements to verify specifications.

Clean

Clean or degrease weld joint or piecework.

Climb

Climb a ladder and stairs multiple times per shift.

Collaborate with

Collaborate with other workers, such as fitters or fabricators, to complete projects.
Collaborate with quality control personnel for weld inspections.
Collaborate work with metal sheets and apply various insulation materials.

Compare

Compare and see differences in the size, shape and form of lines, figures and objects.

Complete

Complete and maintain all required paperwork, records, documentation, etc..
Complete assigned welding projects.
Complete assigned work within given timeframe and according to specifications.
Complete Banks Manufacturing shop traveler's and time log for each procedure completed.
Complete inventory counts of raw materials, products, supplies and consumables.
Complete welding equipment maintenance.

Conduct

Conduct weldability tests on different types of metals.

Contribute to

Contribute to our mission and reputation of providing high quality trailers.

Control

Control and adjust welding parameters, such as heat and speed.

Coordinate

Coordinate with supervisors or project managers for work assignments.

Copy

Copy and paste the following link in your browser and we'll see you there!.

Count

Count or weigh products accurately to ensure correct quantities are packaged.

Cut

Cut materials using Oxy Acetylene Torch.

Design

Design application for new products.

Detect

Detect faulty operation or defective materials and notify foreman.

Determine

Determine root causes of mechanical and other operating failures and chooses the best repair option.

Develop

Develop patterns for projects or follow directions given in layouts, blueprints, and work orders.

Document

Document actions by completing work records.
Document work progress and maintain accurate welding records.

Ensure

Ensure accuracy of department production reporting.
Ensure compliance with established health / safety policies and regulations.
Ensure compliance with welding codes, standards, and regulations.
Ensure that a clean, safe and organized work environment is always maintained.

Estimate

Estimate material and time requirements for welding projects.

Evaluate

Evaluate finished products and perform quality checks on products.

Execute

Execute instructions from job cards, weld schedules, part prints.

Fabricate

Fabricate and assemble metal structures and equipment through the use of welding equipment.
Fabricate and install threaded pipe, socket welded pipe and butt weld piping configurations.
Fabricate components for use in a fuel cell electrical power generator.
Fabricate / repair scrap chutes, deflectors, conveyors and projects.
Fabricate equipment by cutting, burning, and welding various metals.

Finish

Finish grinding applications using manual and power tools.

Follow

Follow all business policies and procedures.
Follow all safety policies and procedures.
Follow blueprints to meet product specifications and maintain tight tolerances.
Follow blueprint to meet to meet production specifications.
Follow direction and work efficiently.
Follow directions of Lead-hand to complete tasks.
Follow safety procedures and use protective equipment during welding.

Force

Force a large current through the spot to melt the metal and form the weld.

Grind

Grind, scrape, sand, or polish surfaces using abrasive tools or machines.

Hold

Hold and guide torch at proper angle to cut metal.

Identify

Identify and resolve welding-related issues or challenges.
Identify and set-up correct tooling for jobs.
Identify, reports, and corrects safety hazards.

Improve

Improve work flow, work processes or work procedures as needed.

Inspect

Inspect welds for defects and perform necessary repairs or rework.

Install

Install and repair variouse equipment and components as needed.
Install welds, including light fixtures, vents, fans, metal sheeting and other parts.

Interpret

Interpret and understand welding blueprints and specifications.
Interpret blueprints, specifications, diagrams, and schematic drawings to determine work procedures.

Keep

Keep abreast of industry trends and advancements in welding technology.

Know

Know and respect all of the procedures provided in the Quality Manual.

Lay out

Lay out and cut complex subassemblies and / or final product.

Lift

Lift or move materials and finished products, using large cranes.
Lift truck and overhead crane experience.

Maintain

Maintain a clean and organized work space including tools.
Maintain a clean working area.
Maintain a high standard of workmanship with a high-level quality and accuracy.
Maintain and complete all required records.
Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of local and international building codes / legal requirements.
Maintain cleanliness of the work area.
Maintain clean workstation.
Maintain concentration over a long period of time.
Maintain effective levels of productivity at all time.
Maintain housekeeping of ongoing tasks and overall shop cleanliness.
Maintain welding equipment and perform routine maintenance checks.

Meet

Meet production schedule timeline.

Modify

Modify and repair containers based on customer's specifications.

Monitor

Monitor the welding process to ensure proper fusion and penetration.

Move

Move and position modules around the shop.

Observe

Observe all safety procedures and use proper protective gear.

Operate

Operate all equipment in a safe matter.
Operate all equipment safely and always keeping safe work habits a priority.
Operate an orbital welder.
Operate a Semi-Automated MIG welding system.
Operate equipment safely and use safe work processes.
Operate forklifts / cranes and use them in conveying work materials to welding site.
Operate forklift when needed.
Operate manual or semi-automatic, fully automated welding equipment.
Operate manual welder and set weld parameters.
Operate material handling equipment, such as cranes or hoists.
Operate metal shaping machines such as bending machines.
Operate or supervise vehicles, heavy or dangerous equipment or machinery.
Operate other machine shop equipment (e.g. brake, shear, grinders, drills).
Operate over head cranes.
Operate small power tools for preparation of material.
Operate welding equipment to weld ferrous and non-ferrous metals.
Operate welding machines and tools to join metal parts together.

Oversee

Oversee the procurement of inventory (purchase orders, item receipts, etc.).

Participate

Participate in a LEAN construction / manufacturing culture as required.
Participate in on-call program.
Participate in safety meetings.

Perform

Perform additional related duties as requested or required.
Perform all tasks required to see assigned projects completed.
Perform equipment operational checks.
Perform fillet and groove welds in all positions (e.g. 6G).
Perform general shop duties as assigned by the supervisor.
Perform minor maintenance and cleaning activities of tools, equipment and facility.
Perform modifications and repairs when needed.
Perform multiple operations simultaneously often required.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Perform pick up and deliveries of materials from supplier / customers.
Perform post-weld treatment, such as grinding or polishing.
Perform precision Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welding of copper, Kovar, and stainless steel.
Perform proper housekeeping, clean-up and 5 S requirements.
Perform visual examination of welds, including the use of a Borescope.
Perform work standing up in work cell for 8-10 hours per day and up to 5 days a week.
Perform work with help of various hand and power tools.

Practice

Practice good housekeeping to keep the work site clear of hazards.
Practice safe work procedures and follow all health & safety regulations.

Prepare

Prepare, assembles, and tacks weld parts and surfaces to be welded.
Prepare jigs or set-ups for welding.
Prepare product for shipment.
Prepare surfaces for welding by cleaning or degreasing.
Prepare workpieces by cleaning, grinding, or cutting as necessary.

Produce

Produce metal products according to customer or employer specifications.

Promote

Promote services capability and coordinate site installation projects.

Provide

Provide guidance and training to junior welders or apprentices.

Reach with

Reach with hands and arms.

Read

Read and follow shop drawings and blueprints for part specifications.
Read and understand layouts, job packets and blueprints for the parts being fabricated.
Read blueprints and drawings, and take measurements to plan layout and procedures.
Read blueprints and / or drawings and take or read measurements to plan layout and procedures.
Read work orders or receive instructions from supervisors.
Read, Write, Speak English.

Recommend

Recommend improvements in welding techniques or processes.

Replace

Replace worn or corroded overhead line tracks, supports and guiding.

Review

Review blueprints and specifications.

Rework

Rework parts as required by machining to blueprint dimensions.

Seek

Seek assistance to resolve the problems.
Seek responsibility, uses logical and practical approach to solving.

Select

Select voltage, amperage and wire feet settings to produce weldments for quality requirements.

Set

Set and maintain proper welding temperatures, wire feeds and gas setting to produce.

Set-up

Set-up and operate welding equipment.
Set-up and operate welding equipment safely and productively in a manufacturing environment.
Set-up, assemble, and tack weld parts.
Set-up / take down / maintain welding equipment.
Set-up welding equipment and select appropriate welding techniques.
Set-up welding machines based on the job at hand or using a Welding Procedure Specification.

Sort

Sort inventory, raw materials, products, supplies and consumables.

Spot

Spot, fit and assemble various mold components to close tolerance using hand and power tools.

Support

Support Fabrication Foreman with duties and responsibilities.

Take

Take full ownership of a welding machine and adheres to a daily / weekly.
Take ownership and accountability for enhancing results or minimizing problems.

Test

Test and Inspect welded surfaces to discover flaws.

Train

Train additional team members.
Train new and apprentice welders.

Troubleshoot

Troubleshoot and perform basic mechanical maintenance.

Understand

Understand and respect the chain of command.

Uphold

Uphold professional conduct and ethics in the workplace.

Use

Use cutting equipment, such as plasma cutters or oxy-fuel torches.
Use inspection gauges such as verniers, scales, micrometers and pin gauges.
Use measuring tools, such as calipers or gauges, to verify dimensions.
Use Non-Conformance Reports (NCR) 's for materials and operations not in compliance.
Use power saws, chipping knife and hand shears in cutting, beveling, and contouring metal workpieces.
Use RF equipment for tuning of linear accelerators.

Utilize

Utilize material handling equipment in conjunction with the welding task.
Utilize Mig welding experience.
Utilize the use of appropriate jigs and fixtures to assist in the assembly process.

Weld

Weld and fit components together using MIG welding.
Weld and repair a variety of Caterpillar equipment.
Weld components in flat, vertical, or inside jigs at the workstation.
Weld components using welding equipment in various positions.+
Weld fabricated, cast, and forged components.
Weld in all positions with Flux core.
Weld ,Maintain and repair all dumpsters.
Weld products according to specified blueprints and procedures.
Weld components in flat, vertical, or overhead positions.
Weld structural steel, galvanized and stainless steel.

Work with

Work from and interprets drawings / sketches, routings, process control sheets.
Work overtime when schedule deadlines mandate.
Work while tied off to fall protection.
Work with basic hand and power tools.
Work with limited supervision, producing first time quality results.
Work with minimal supervision.
Work with order / fabrication tracking software and automated tooling as required.
Work with team to achieve established production goals / targets for new products.
Work with the supervisor to resolve any technical, productivity, safety or schedule problems.

Most In-demand Hard Skills

The following list describes the most required technical skills of a Welder:

Proficiency in various welding techniques, such as MIG, TIG, or arc welding.
Knowledge of welding equipment setup and operation.
Understanding of welding symbols and blueprint reading.
Competence in interpreting welding codes and standards.
Skill in operating cutting and grinding tools.
Proficiency in weld inspection and defect detection.
Knowledge of different types of metals and their welding characteristics.
Understanding of welding processes and parameters.
Competence in performing weld repairs or modifications.
Knowledge of welding safety practices and procedures.
Skill in using measuring and testing instruments for weld quality assessment.
Proficiency in material preparation and surface cleaning techniques.
Understanding of metallurgy and heat treatment principles.
Competence in welding procedure development and qualification.
Knowledge of welding metallurgy and the effects of heat on metals.
Skill in operating material handling equipment.
Proficiency in using welding software or computer-aided design (CAD) programs.
Understanding of metal fabrication and assembly processes.
Competence in troubleshooting and resolving welding-related issues.
Knowledge of different welding consumables and their applications.

Most In-demand Soft Skills

The following list describes the most required soft skills of an :

Excellent attention to detail and precision in welding tasks.
Strong manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
Effective communication and teamwork skills.
Adaptability and flexibility in different work environments.
Ability to work independently and follow instructions.
Time management and organizational skills.
Physical stamina and the ability to work in physically demanding conditions.
Problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities.
Attention to safety protocols and procedures.
Continuous learning mindset to stay updated with new welding techniques and equipment.

Conclusion

A Welder plays a vital role in metalworking industries, using their expertise to join metal parts and contribute to the creation of various structures and products. Their main responsibilities include interpreting blueprints, setting up welding equipment, performing welds, and ensuring quality and safety standards. Alongside technical skills in different welding techniques, equipment operation, and metallurgy, soft skills such as attention to detail, communication, and adaptability are essential for success in this profession.