Industrial Pipe Welding Specialist (Process & Structural)

Job Description

Job Description

Step into a day as an Industrial Pipe Welding Specialist

Sun’s up, hood down. You review the WPS, confirm heat input, and check joint geometry with the Pipe Fitter before striking your first arc. A 6G test coupon from yesterday gets a final visual, and then it’s on to stainless utility piping in a tight mezzanine, followed by flux-core passes on a platform modification. By afternoon, you’re coordinating hold points with QA, aligning on weld maps, and prepping for a shutdown tie-in—all while keeping hot-work controls tight and your work area squared away. If that sounds like your rhythm, Renfrow Industrial wants you on our team.

About the work

• Perform code-quality structural and pipe welds on carbon steel, stainless, and other approved alloys for process/utility piping, equipment supports, platforms, structural changes, machinery installs, and related industrial scopes.
• Operate across active plants, manufacturing facilities, shutdowns, and heavy commercial sites—adhering to OSHA, site rules, and hot-work protocols.
• Read and apply blueprints, structural drawings, piping isos, P&IDs, fabrication drawings, symbols, and WPS details.
• Fit, tack, align, and weld to specified dimensions and joint designs; prepare materials by cutting, beveling, grinding, and cleaning while maintaining root openings and tolerances.
• Use SMAW (Stick), GTAW (TIG), FCAW (Flux Core), and GMAW (MIG) when qualified and required by assignment.
• Inspect welds and surrounding base metal, correct discontinuities per approved repair procedures, and support NDE as needed.
• Work in elevated, confined, and otherwise challenging areas safely; maintain tools, leads, torches, and machines in serviceable condition.
• Collaborate with Pipe Fitters, Millwrights, Ironworkers, Riggers, Fabricators, and mechanical crews to sequence work efficiently.
• Other duties as needed to deliver safe, quality results.

Structural & pipe responsibilities you’ll own

• Execute code-quality pipe welds in qualified positions, including 6G and small-bore, when the project requires.
• Complete structural groove, fillet, and plate welds in qualified positions (2G/3G/4G) as assigned.
• Follow WPS parameters for process, filler metal, amperage, polarity, shielding gas, preheat, interpass, and other essential variables.
• Verify joint prep, alignment, root opening, bevel, and cleanliness with Pipe Fitters/Fabricators before welding.
• Support weld maps, material traceability, inspection hold points, NDE, hydro testing, and turnover documentation.
• Control distortion, heat input, penetration, bead placement, and final profile.
• Perform approved weld repairs/rework with supervision, QA, and inspectors.
• Treat every weld as inspection-critical—ready for visual, bend, or radiographic testing.
• Switch between structural and pipe welding assignments in line with your qualifications and project needs.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of relevant industrial structural and/or pipe welding experience.
• Ability to pass Renfrow Industrial qualification(s): may include 6G pipe, small-bore pipe, and/or 2G, 3G, 4G plate.
• Weld tests must meet ASME Section IX, applicable AWS standards, client specifications, and/or project criteria; testing may include VT, bend, or RT.
• Proficiency with SMAW, GTAW, FCAW, and GMAW for structural and pipe work.
• Strong print reading and symbol literacy (isos, WPS, P&IDs), plus attention to safety warnings and project instructions.
• Solid command of joint prep, fit-up, metallurgy, weld quality, and safe hot-work practices; valid driver’s license preferred.

Physical demands

• Lift up to 50 lbs; climb, balance, work at heights, and in confined spaces.
• Operate welding, cutting, grinding, and material-handling tools with precise hand–eye coordination.
• Perform physically intensive tasks such as bending, crouching, kneeling, reaching, and handling heavy materials.
• Work in dynamic industrial settings requiring sustained focus, alertness, and mobility.

Bring these tools

• TIG rig/torch (GTAW), power block, gas pressure gauge/flowmeter
• Welding gloves (TIG/MIG/Stick), welding hood
• Cutting goggles or approved face shield, striker, wire brush, chipping hammer
• Wrap-around, tip cleaners, side cutters
• Tape measure, 10" adjustable wrench, hammer
• Flat-head and Phillips-head screwdriver sets
• Torpedo level, hacksaw, combination square
• Combination wrenches up to 1-1/4", 1/2" drive socket set up to 1-1/4"
• Vise grips
• Soapstone with holder
• Other basic hand tools typical to welding/fabrication

We’ll supply additional/specialized welding machines, power tools, testing gear, consumables, fall protection, and project-specific tools as appropriate.

Schedule

• Monday–Thursday, typical 4x10
• Overtime as required

Pay & benefits

• $26–$32 per hour depending on experience and weld test performance
• Health insurance
• 401(k)
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• $1,000 sign-on bonus

Safety first—always

Safety is a core value at Renfrow Industrial. Expect to follow company policies, complete required training, comply with fire-prevention and hot-work controls, and stop work if conditions are unsafe.

Growth path

Advance toward Lead Pipe Fitter, Piping Superintendent, Mechanical Lead/Foreman, and other field leadership roles—based on performance, training, qualifications, experience, and company needs.

Work parameters & limitations

• Perform production welding only within your current qualifications, assigned processes, materials, positions, and approved procedures.
• Work independently within scope after successfully completing required qualifications.
• No supervisory duties unless explicitly assigned by management.
• Scope may include cutting, grinding, joint prep, fit-up, tack welding, weld repairs, shutdown work, and system/structural modifications.
• Coordinate with project managers, superintendents, QA, inspectors, and other trades for scope alignment, inspection readiness, and successful completion.
• Follow approved WPS, quality-control procedures, and documentation requirements.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Role is physically demanding, including lifting, bending, crouching, kneeling, and climbing while handling heavy materials.
• Frequent handling of welding machines, leads, hoses, tools, and fabricated parts.
• Comfort working in active plants, manufacturing facilities, shutdown environments, elevated/confined areas, and outdoor heavy commercial jobsites in varying conditions is required.