Pipe Welding Lead

Pipe Welding Lead

Paducah, KY

General Matter is enriching uranium in America. Our goal is to design, build, and operate the world's lowest-cost enrichment services in the United States. Our mission is to restore America's ability to produce nuclear fuel—fuel that will power AI, advanced manufacturing, critical industries, and the next generation of nuclear reactors. Ultimately, our work will help power national ambitions and enable a high-energy society. We were incubated by Founders Fund, like Anduril and Palantir before us, and are backed by top-tier investors. Our lean, world-class team of engineers and operators is applying a first-principles approach to solving the problem of nuclear fuel production. We are a mission-driven company with a culture of urgency, accountability, and transparency. Help us build a high-energy society by making the cleanest, safest form of baseload energy the most affordable.

About This Role

The Pipe Welding Lead is responsible for overseeing all pipe welding operations, including process plumbing systems and structural pipe assemblies. This position supervises pipe welders and fitters, ensures compliance with welding procedures and specifications, maintains quality standards, and coordinates welding activities to meet project schedules. The lead is responsible for technical guidance, supervision, quality control, safety enforcement, and continuous improvement of pipe welding operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily pipe welding, fitting, and fabrication activities.
• Assign work, set priorities, and coordinate labor, equipment, and materials.
• Train, mentor, and provide technical direction to welders and fitters.
• Interpret engineering drawings, piping isometrics, weld maps, and specifications.
• Ensure welding is completed in accordance with approved procedures, project requirements, and applicable codes.
• Monitor fit-up, joint preparation, materials, consumables, and overall workmanship.
• Coordinate with Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, and Project teams to resolve technical issues and maintain schedules.
• Support weld procedure development, qualification, and implementation.
• Understand NDT methods, inspection requirements, and acceptance criteria.
• Troubleshoot weld defects, distortion, fit-up issues, and other fabrication challenges.
• Maintain welder qualifications, weld records, and required documentation.
• Enforce safe work practices and maintain a clean, organized fabrication area.
• Identify opportunities to improve safety, quality, productivity, and cost.

Basic Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent, plus professional certifications, trade training, or demonstrated equivalent experience.
• 7+ years of experience in pipe welding, fitting, fabrication, or a related industrial trade.
• Prior experience leading or supervising welders, fitters, or fabrication personnel.
• Strong knowledge of pipe welding, fit-up, joint preparation, sequencing, and distortion control.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, weld symbols, specifications, and fabrication documentation.
• Working knowledge of common welding processes, welding procedures, welder qualifications, and weld inspection.
• Strong technical judgment and ability to solve problems with incomplete information.
• Evidence of exceptional ability through prior projects, completed work, certifications, or technical accomplishments.
• Strong communication, leadership, organization, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• AWS Certified Welding Inspector, Certified Welding Supervisor, or equivalent certification.
• Experience in nuclear, chemical processing, power generation, aerospace, defense, or heavy manufacturing.
• Strong background in process piping, pressure piping, and structural fabrication.
• Familiarity with ASME Section IX, ASME B31, AWS standards, or similar codes.
• Experience supporting welding procedure and qualification development.
• Experience with carbon steel, stainless steel, nickel alloys, or other specialized materials.
• Experience coordinating NDT, inspection, pressure testing, and material traceability.
• Ability to lead effectively in a fast-paced, highly technical environment.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to work extended hours and weekends as necessary.

Equal Opportunity Employer

General Matter is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with General Matter is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Compensation and Benefits

The hourly rate range for this role is $45-$60/hour. Compensation bands are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual level and base pay is determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related skills, education, experience, technical capabilities and internal equity. Please note that the stated salary range is an estimate and may be adjusted based on market conditions, business needs, or other factors. In addition to base salary, for full-time hires, you may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of stock options, and access to medical, vision & dental coverage as well as access to a 401(k) retirement plan.