Sub-Arc Welder

Sub Arc Welder – Long Seam or Girth Seam

At North Shore Steel and our affiliated companies, we produce large-diameter pipe and structural products that require precision welding to meet demanding industry standards. Our girth seam welders play a critical role in final weld integrity, work that directly impacts quality, safety, and performance in the field. If you're a Sub Arc welder who understands full-circumference welds, tie-ins, and maintaining consistency through rotation, this is where your skillset stands out.

Position Summary

As a Sub Arc Long Seam Welder , you will operate and manage Submerged Arc Welding (SAW) systems to produce high-quality long-seam welds on pipe and structural components. This role is focused on repeatable, high-quality production welding , requiring a strong understanding of machine setup, weld parameters, and quality standards. You will also support repair work when defects are identified, working closely with Quality and production teams. This is a night shift role (6 PM – 6 AM) and requires a welder who is dependable, detail-oriented, and able to maintain focus and consistency throughout the shift.

What You'll Be Responsible For

• Operate Submerged Arc Welding (SAW) equipment for long seam welding
• Perform long-seam welds on pipe/cylinders
• Set and adjust welding parameters to maintain proper penetration and bead profile per code requirements
• Execute clean starts, stops, and tie-ins with minimal defects
• Monitor weld performance throughout rotation and adjust as needed
• Read and interpret Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS) , blueprints, and weld symbols
• Perform carbon arc gouging and grinding to remove defects when required
• Prepare weld surfaces, including cleaning
• Maintain welding equipment in safe, working conditions
• Keep work area clean, organized, and aligned with safety standards

What It Takes to Be Successful

• Proven experience operating Submerged Arc Welding (SAW) equipment
• Strong understanding of weld parameters, heat input, and deposition control
• Experience in pipe welding or large structural steel fabrication
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints and welding schematics
• Working knowledge of applicable standards ( API, AWS, ASME )
• Experience with multi-process welding environments (SAW, MIG, FCAW, SMAW)
• Ability to identify weld defects and support repair processes
• Strong attention to detail with a focus on consistency and quality
• Reliable and able to maintain performance during 12-hour night shifts

Preferred Experience (Strongly Valued)

• Experience with long-seam pipe welding in a production environment
• Familiarity with AWS and ASME standards for pipe manufacturing
• Prior experience in high-volume, automated or semi-automated welding operations
• Experience welding tandem electrodes

Girth Seam (please see Girth Seam job posting)

• Experience with large-diameter pipe girth welding
• Prior work in API-regulated environments
• Experience working alongside NDE (X-ray/UT) quality processes

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs independently on a routine basis and handle materials safely as part of daily job duties.
• Ability to stand for extended periods and maintain safe body positioning while performing tasks and moving through the work area, including walking on concrete floors and uneven surfaces.
• Frequent squatting, bending, stooping, reaching, pushing, pulling, and lifting, requiring full-body mobility, balance, and upper- and lower-body strength to perform work safely.
• Manual agility to operate tools safely and effectively, with regular use of arms, shoulders, and back for lifting, reaching, and positioning tasks.
• Ability to work safely in a warehouse environment with exposure to noise, dust, moving equipment, and varying temperatures.
• Maintain adequate visual and auditory acuity to safely perform assigned tasks, including but not limited to: identifying potential hazards, reading and/or recording measurements, inspecting materials, and responding promptly to verbal instructions, alarms or hand signals in the work environment

Pre-Employment Requirements:

All candidates who receive a conditional offer of employment must complete the company's pre-employment screening process. This includes:

• Criminal background check: reviewed in accordance with job duties, the nature and gravity of any convictions, and the time elapsed since the offense or sentence completion.
• Pre-hire drug screening: candidates must pass a drug screen to be eligible for hire.
• Physical assessment: required for all Production and Distribution positions, conducted by a company-designated physician at no cost to the candidate.

Participation in each step of the pre-employment process is required. Candidates who choose not to participate or who do not meet the screening criteria will not be eligible for employment.

Benefits:

At North Shore Steel, we invest in the well-being of our team. Full-time employees receive a full benefits package that includes multiple Major Medical plan options, Dental, Vision, Voluntary Life, Short-Term Disability, Flexible Spending Accounts, and HSA options for qualifying plans.

We also provide Long-Term Disability, Basic Life, and AD&D coverage at no cost to you. You'll also enjoy our competitive holiday schedule, PTO program, and a Safe Harbor 401(k) with company contributions to support your long-term financial goals.

We are an equal opportunity employer and maintain a safe, secure, and drug-free workplace where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.