Welder / Fabricator in New York, New York at Achilles

Position Summary
The Journey-Level Welder/Fabricator is a fully independent tradesperson responsible for executing complex welding and metal fabrication work to print, spec, and quality standard — with minimal supervision. This role requires deep proficiency across multiple weld processes, the ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, and the judgment to make real-time decisions about fit, technique, and quality. The right candidate takes ownership of their work from raw material to finished assembly and holds themselves to a standard before anyone else does.

Key Responsibilities

Perform structural and precision welding using MIG, TIG, and/or Stick processes on carbon steel, stainless steel, and aluminum
Read, interpret, and work directly from engineering drawings, weld symbols, GD&T callouts, and fabrication blueprints without supervision
Lay out, fit, and tack weld assemblies to dimensional tolerance prior to final weld
Operate fabrication equipment including plasma cutters, band saws, angle grinders, press brakes, and ironworkers as required
Perform in-process and final quality inspection of welds using visual inspection, gauges, and fillet weld gauges; identify and correct defects before they move downstream
Set up and adjust welding equipment parameters (amperage, voltage, wire speed, gas flow) for material type and thickness
Work from job travelers, routers, and work orders to sequence and complete fabrication tasks within cycle time expectations
Maintain a clean, organized work cell in accordance with 5S standards
Document work accurately including time tracking, material usage, and any non-conformances
Collaborate with engineering and quality on fit-up issues, drawing discrepancies, or process improvements
Required Qualifications

5+ years of hands-on welding and fabrication experience in a manufacturing or job shop environment
Journey-level proficiency in at least two of the following: MIG (GMAW), TIG (GTAW), Stick (SMAW)
Demonstrated ability to weld carbon steel, stainless steel, and/or aluminum to structural or precision tolerances
Proven ability to read and work independently from engineering drawings including weld symbols and basic GD&T
Experience with layout and fit-up of fabricated assemblies to dimensional tolerance
Strong understanding of weld quality standards and the ability to self-inspect and self-correct
Familiarity with common fabrication shop equipment and safe operating practices
Preferred Qualifications

AWS D1.1 (Structural Steel) or D1.2 (Aluminum) certification, or ability to certify upon hire
Experience with pipe welding (2G, 5G, or 6G positions)
Exposure to custom or low-volume, high-mix fabrication environments
Familiarity with weld procedure specifications (WPS) and qualification records (PQR)
Experience with robotic weld cell operation or fixturing
Performance Expectations

Produce welds that consistently pass visual and dimensional inspection with a first-pass acceptance rate of 95%+
Complete fabrication work orders within established cycle time targets with minimal rework
Maintain a safe, organized work area with zero recordable safety incidents
Operate with full independence — no need for supervision on routine assignments, proactive escalation when genuinely needed