Shop Welder

DescriptionBecome a valued member of our team as a Shop Welder, where you'll engage in hands-on work operating and maintaining welding equipment, interpreting blueprints, and ensuring high-quality welds. Whether you're beginning your welding career or bringing extensive experience, you'll have opportunities to grow, mentor others, and support continuous improvement in a safe, collaborative environment.If you're detail-oriented, safety-conscious, and eager to develop your skills while contributing to a dynamic manufacturing team, this role offers a clear path for advancement and the chance to make a meaningful impact every day.RK Company Overview As a second-generation, family-owned enterprise, RK Industries, LLC (RK) offers a diverse range of construction, manufacturing, advanced fabrication and building services. Led by Rick and Jon Kinning, RK represents seven distinct lines of business that work together to provide seamless project collaboration. Our exclusive building methodologies, accredited safety standards and professional execution allow us to turn our customers' greatest concepts into reality.Position Summary Perform trade specific quality work consistent with AWS standards, OSHA requirements, and company procedures to ensure product meets or exceeds customer expectations.Role Responsibilities Equipment Setup & Maintenance : Configure, operate, and maintain welding and trade-specific machinery to ensure optimal performance. Blueprint Interpretation : Analyze work orders, technical drawings, and blueprints to accurately determine welding requirements and specifications. Label and Equipment Selection : Interpret labels and select the appropriate machinery and operational sequence based on project needs. Inspection & Documentation : Conduct thorough inspections to verify product compliance; maintain detailed records of equipment maintenance and inspections. Testing : Proficient in visual inspection to assess weld quality. Record Keeping : Accurately document inspection results and quality assessments to ensure traceability and compliance. Material Handling Equipment Operation : Operate lift trucks and overhead cranes safely to transport materials and components. Measurement Skills : Employ precision tools, such as tape measures, to ensure accurate dimensions and alignments. Procedure Adherence : Understand and follow all shop procedures to maintain consistency and quality in work processes. Safety Compliance : Adhere to established safety standards and procedures to prevent accidents and injuries. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) : Consistently utilize appropriate PPE to safeguard against workplace hazards. Regulatory Knowledge : Understand and comply with industry regulations and standards, such as those set by OSHA and the American Welding Society (AWS). Effective Communication : Clearly communicate with team members, supervisors, and other stakeholders to ensure project requirements are understood and met. Workplace Organization : Maintain a clean and organized work area to promote efficiency and safety. Additional Duties : Perform other assignments as directed to support team objectives and operational needs Accountability Comply with all company policies and procedures. All employees are accountable for safety and health and are empowered to stop work if an unsafe condition is present. Employees should immediately notify their supervisor so that the hazard may be corrected. Qualifications : Must be a U.S. CitizenShop Welder-1 : Entry-level role focused on performing basic welding tasks under supervision. Ideal for individuals with foundational welding skills seeking to develop expertise in a manufacturing environment. 2+ years of welding and metal processing experience (FCAW, MIG). High school diploma or equivalent preferred. Vocational training in welding or metal fabrication preferred. Must obtain 3G welding certification before advancing to Shop Welder-2. Demonstrates ability to efficiently weld and inspect basic products meeting quality standards. Reads and interprets simple blueprints, weld symbols, and technical drawings. Performs basic welding equipment maintenance under occasional or regular supervision. Processes intermediate math and safety knowledge; understands foundational weld symbols. Willing and able to follow instructions, learn new tasks, and work as part of a team. Shop Welder-2 : Includes all Shop Welder-1 qualifications plus : Builds on Shop Welder-1 responsibilities with more complex welding work performed independently. 3+ years of welding and metal processing experience (FCAW, MIG, in multiple modes of transfer). 3G certified required; must obtain 6g welding certification before advancing to Shop Welder-3. Proficient in welding and inspecting medium complexity tickets (including light metals) meeting quality standards. Reads and interprets blueprints, weld symbols, and technical drawings independently. Independently performs routine maintenance on welding equipment. Applies intermediate math including some trigonometry and geometry. Mentors Shop Welder-1's. Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality. Proactively collaborates with team members to meet production goals. Understands continuous improvement initiatives and is willing and able to make contributions. Shop Welder-3 : Includes all Shop Welder-2 qualifications plus : Senior-level welder responsible for complex welding projects, structural fittings, and team leadership. 5+ years of welding, metal processing and structural fitting. Expert welding, inspecting advanced complexity tickets (including light and heavy structural metals) meeting quality standards. Reads and interprets advanced blueprints and manages job requirements independently. Performs and troubleshoots welding equipment maintenance. Mentors Shop Welder-1's &2's. Applies advanced math including trigonometry and geometry. Leads, mentors, and develops a team of up to seven (7) welders. Manage performance metrics (safety, quality, delivery and productivity) and recommend process improvement to enhance performance. Regularly communicates order status and production updates to leadership. Demonstrates deep understanding of welding codes, standards, and quality assurance. Excellent problem-solving skills with a proven ability to collaborate with engineering and production teams to effectively resolve complex welding-related challenges. Actively supports lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement initiatives. Minimum Physical Requirements Work outside, inside, and in dusty, noisy and hazardous areas. Work in high places, tight places, confined spaces and / or other adverse locations. Climb, balance, squat, kneel and crouch. Work in all types of weather. Must have working knowledge of all trade materials and tools. Ability to lift, move, and / or carry 50 lbs. What Sets RK Industries Apart Safety : Our unmatched culture of safety is our foremost core value, guiding everything we do each day : Health, Safety, & Environmental Awards : Whether in Construction, Manufacturing, Fabrication, or Service, RK Industries is highly recognized and accredited throughout the industry : Accreditations & Recognition Benefits : RK Industries offers competitive benefits to support your growth and well-being : Benefits & Rewards Philanthropy : RK Industries not only builds our community through our projects, but also invests in it by supporting local services for over a decade through the RK Foundation : RK Foundation Development : Through RK University, we provide hands-on training and development opportunities that empower employees to advance their careers and grow within the company, to include leadership and technical learning opportunities, we well as our accredited apprentice program : RK University & RK Apprenticeship Program Applications are accepted on an ongoing basisRK Industries, LLC is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status or any other status protected by applicable law