Fitter/Welder III

Welder / Fitter 3

Capitol Engineering is hiring a Welder / Fitter 3 for our Phoenix fabrication shop. This is the senior-level role on the welding and fit-up career path - the highest standard of skill, technical knowledge, and craftsmanship on the shop floor. It performs complex, high-quality welds across all positions and all processes (MIG, Flux-Core, Stick, and TIG) on the full range of products we build, including structural steel, tanks, ducting, mining and wear equipment, and other custom fabrications in carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and abrasion-resistant (AR) plate.

This role is a complete craftsman on both sides of the trade: performing advanced structural fit-up and layout, reading and interpreting full engineering blueprints, executing the shop's most demanding assignments with full independence, and serving as a technical resource and mentor to the welders and fitters coming up behind them.

What You'll Do

• Advanced Welding - Multi-Process, Multi-Material
• Perform GMAW (MIG), FCAW (Flux-Core), SMAW (Stick), and GTAW (TIG) welding in all positions (1F-4F, 1G-4G) on the full range of products and materials the shop produces.
• Handle the most complex and critical weld assignments in the facility - multi-pass welds, heavy plate, tank seams, pressure-retaining joints, wear-liner installation, and out-of-position work - with consistent quality and full procedure compliance.
• Weld on carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and AR plate, selecting and verifying appropriate filler metals, shielding gases, and pre/post-weld procedures for each material.
• Verify all pre-weld conditions before every assignment: fit-up accuracy, joint cleanliness, material identification, applicable WPS, and any special product requirements.
• Advanced Fit-Up, Layout & Assembly
• Perform advanced fit-up and layout on large, multi-member assemblies - structural weldments, tank shells and heads, equipment frames, and custom fabrications - using blueprints as the reference.
• Establish datums, lay out component locations, and verify squareness, plumb, level, and dimensional accuracy across entire assemblies, accounting for material-specific distortion behavior during welding.
• Identify and resolve fit-up issues, joint-preparation deficiencies, and material discrepancies; escalate conflicts to the Shop Lead or Shop Foreman with a precise description when needed.
• Blueprint Reading & Material Knowledge
• Read and interpret full engineering blueprints - fabrication drawings, weld symbols, dimensional tolerances, material specifications, bills of material, and general notes - and extract everything needed to complete an assignment.
• Apply working knowledge of weldability, filler-metal requirements, joint preparation, and fume/safety considerations for each material.
• Recognize and mitigate material-related quality risks such as heat distortion on light gauge, carbide precipitation in stainless, and burn-through on aluminum; flag drawing errors or conflicts before work proceeds.
• Mentorship & Quality Leadership
• Provide hands-on technical guidance to Welder / Fitter 1 and 2 and apprentice personnel on welding technique, WPS application, fit-up methods, material handling, and quality standards.
• Serve as a shop-floor point of reference for welding procedure, WPS application, and quality questions; set the standard through consistent personal example.
• Perform detailed self-inspection of all completed work and support formal Quality Control inspections; communicate non-conformances to the Shop Lead and QC immediately and with specificity.
• Communicate observations about skill gaps and development needs to the Shop Lead and Welding Training & Qualification Specialist.
• Safety, Equipment & Housekeeping
• Lead by example in all matters of safety, PPE compliance, lockout/tagout, fume extraction, and housekeeping; enforce material-specific safety requirements and address unsafe conditions immediately.
• Operate welding equipment, cutting tools, and associated tooling proficiently and safely; perform pre-use checks and report issues promptly.
• Maintain work areas to the highest standard of organization and safety at all times.
• Perform other related duties as assigned in support of production and quality operations.

What We're Looking For

Required

High school diploma or equivalent; vocational welding certification, technical degree, or completed apprenticeship strongly preferred.

8+ years of production welding and/or fabrication experience across multiple product types and materials in a custom fabrication environment.

Full-position welder performance qualifications (1F-4F, 1G-4G) in GMAW (MIG), FCAW (Flux-Core), SMAW (Stick), and GTAW (TIG) per applicable welding code or company WPS, current and documented.

Demonstrated ability to weld on carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and AR plate.

Demonstrated ability to perform advanced structural fit-up and layout using layout and measuring tools.

Ability to read and interpret full engineering blueprints, weld symbols, and fabrication drawings.

Demonstrated ability to train and develop less-experienced welders and fitters, with strong safety leadership and reliable attendance.

Preferred

Experience across a broad range of product types - structural steel, tanks, equipment frames, ducting, and wear components.

Exposure to pressure-retaining weld joints or tank fabrication, including distortion control and weld-sequence planning.

Knowledge of welding metallurgy and material-specific pre/post-weld requirements for stainless steel, aluminum, and AR plate.

AWS Certified Welder and/or AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) credential.

Prior experience in a senior welder, lead fabricator, or shop-floor mentorship role.

OSHA 30 General Industry certification.

Working Conditions

Physical Requirements

Regularly stand, walk, and remain on your feet for the majority of the shift in a production shop environment.

Frequent bending, kneeling, crouching, and reaching during welding, fit-up, grinding, and machine operation.

Occasional lifting and carrying of materials, tooling, and components up to 50 lbs; team lifts or mechanical assists are used for heavier items.

Sustained work requiring manual dexterity, hand-eye coordination, and physical endurance across varied fabrication tasks.

Ability to wear and work in all required PPE - welding helmet, safety glasses, gloves, hearing protection, and protective clothing - for extended periods.

Environmental Conditions

Work is performed in a custom metal fabrication shop subject to varying temperatures, noise, dust, metal particulate, and vibration.

Regular exposure to welding fumes, arc flash, UV radiation, heat, and cutting byproducts inherent to a production fabrication environment.

Exposure to a range of base metals - carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and AR plate - each with associated handling and fume considerations.

Proper ventilation, fume extraction, and PPE are provided and required at all times per company safety policies and OSHA regulations.

Schedule & Work Environment

Standard Monday through Friday schedule during regular facility operating hours.

Occasional overtime may be required to meet production demands or project deadlines.

This is an on-site position. Remote work is not applicable to the essential functions of this role.

This posting is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed. It is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, or skills required. Capitol Engineering is an Equal Opportunity Employer.