Welder

Structural Welder Fabricator

Join a dedicated fabrication team as a 3rd Shift Structural Welder where you will build and weld structural steel products such as columns, beams, stairs, handrails, cross frames, and crane components according to detailed blueprints and specifications. You will cut, fit, and weld steel using MIG and flux-core processes, ensuring all structures meet strict quality standards and are fully prepared for installation at job sites. This role is ideal for a welder who enjoys challenging structural work, takes pride in accuracy, and wants to grow within a small but expanding fabrication operation.

Responsibilities

• Interpret and work from structural steel blueprints, drawings, and specifications to build columns, beams, stairs, hand railings, cross frames for roofs, and components that support overhead cranes.
• Cut, size, shape, and bend steel materials, including copes and offset beams, using appropriate tools and equipment, ensuring all pieces are prepared to specification.
• Fit, tack, and weld structural steel assemblies using MIG and flux-core welding processes, including uphill welding and out-of-position welds where required.
• Review and verify the quality of completed welds and assemblies, ensuring all structures meet internal quality standards and are ready for installation at job sites.
• Prepare stairs, handrails, and other structural components to ensure they arrive at the job site complete and ready for installation.
• Accurately read angles and measurements with a tape measure, ensuring precise layout, cutting, and fit-up of structural components.
• Use common sense and sound judgment to retain instructions, follow established procedures, and work safely and efficiently with minimal supervision in a small skeleton crew environment.
• Collaborate with team members in a growth-oriented environment, contributing effort, positive attitude, and reliable attendance to meet production goals and weekly locked schedules.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized work area within a fabrication shop environment, following all safety guidelines and wearing required personal protective equipment.
• Participate in written Weld and Blueprint tests as required, and apply the knowledge gained to improve weld quality, blueprint reading, and structural fabrication practices.

Essential Skills

• Minimum 2+ years of MIG welding experience, preferably in structural welding or iron workers union welding environments.
• Strong proficiency in structural welding, including MIG and flux-core welding processes, with the ability to weld uphill and in various positions.
• Hands-on experience in fabrication, including cutting, fitting, and assembling structural steel components.
• Ability to accurately read and interpret structural blueprints and drawings to build complex steel structures.
• Proficient use of a tape measure and ability to read angles and dimensions with high accuracy.
• Capability to pass written Weld Test and Blueprint Test as part of the qualification process.
• Solid understanding of plates, angles, beams, and other structural steel elements and how they fit together in assemblies.
• Attention to detail and strong quality control mindset to ensure all fabricated components meet required standards.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a small team, demonstrating reliability, strong work ethic, and a growth-oriented mindset.
• Practical common sense and the ability to retain instructions, learn processes quickly, and get it in a fast-paced fabrication setting.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Union welding experience is preferred and considered a strong asset.
• Experience with AWS standards would be beneficial.
• AISC manufacturing experience would be advantageous in this role.
• Experience in overhead welding, steel installation, or fitting structural steel is a plus.
• Experience working with large structural components such as huge columns with 46 inch baseplates, stairs, hand railings, cross frames, and crane-supporting structures.
• Comfort working in a smaller facility with 15-20 people and interest in future leadership opportunities as the operation moves to a larger site.
• Desire to grow with the company, contribute beyond basic job tasks, and align with a culture that values effort, attitude, attendance, and teamwork.
• Ability to adapt to different shifts as needed, including potential opportunities on 1st and 3rd shifts as the new building ramps up.

Why Work Here?

You will join an employee-owned organization that values long-term commitment, growth, and shared success. After 60 days of employment, vacation time is front-loaded, giving you immediate access to paid time off and full participation in competitive health benefits. As part of an ESOP, team members earn company stock based on years of service, building ownership and financial security over time. The company regularly hosts food trucks at each location twice a month and provides lunch at no cost on those days, fostering a sense of community and appreciation. All employees receive a pay increase upon being hired on, with yearly performance reviews that offer additional wage increase potential. A Scheduling Attainment Bonus of up to $50 per week, paid monthly and pro-rated based on attendance, rewards those who consistently help the team meet production goals and acts as a signing-style bonus once you transition from contract or probationary status. Overall, the culture emphasizes reliability, effort, and growth, providing meaningful opportunities to advance and take on leadership responsibilities as the operation expands.

Work Environment

This is a fully on-site role in a fabrication shop environment that can be dirty and physically demanding, working with heavy structural steel components and industrial equipment. The immediate need is for 3rd shift, Monday through Thursday, 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., with additional shift options as the new building ramps up, including a 1st shift schedule of Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. or until the work is completed. The current location is a smaller facility with approximately 15-20 team members, offering a close-knit atmosphere and clear visibility to leadership. There are plans to move this plant to a larger site in the Des Moines or Carlisle area, creating future opportunities for growth and leadership roles for interested employees. Personal protective equipment is required, including jeans, work-appropriate shirts, steel-toed boots, weld helmets, and safety glasses, to ensure safety while working around welding, cutting, and fabrication operations. The environment suits individuals who appreciate a hands-on, production-focused setting, can align with expectations around culture, attendance, attitude, and effort, and want to contribute meaningfully rather than simply punching the clock.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Avon, IA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $26.00 - $30.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

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)