Senior Welder III at Merits Health Products Inc – Fort Myers, Florida

Merits is driven to improve lives by making high-quality power mobility equipment. We are synonymous with innovative engineering, constant product development, adaptability, and caring customer support. Merits product solutions give people the power to move through life on their own terms.

We are looking for an experienced Senior Welder III to join our Team. This position will serve as the foundation for the welding department within the Pilot Stairlift Operations Team, ensuring quality standards, safety protocols, and other welders are trained accordingly as production scales. The Senior Welder will have well-crafted hands-on welding experience with a strong understanding of fabrication workflows. This role will lead by example and drive excellence in a precision manufacturing environment by sharing expertise and providing guidance to welding operations team members. Regular working hours are typically 7:30am to 4pm, Monday through Friday. Work schedules may sometimes vary depending upon the production schedule and deadlines. Candidates should offer flexibility for work schedules from 7am through 5pm with the occasional Saturday if needed. The pay range is dependent upon experience.

A high school diploma or equivalent is required with 5+ years of welding experience with a verifiable fabrication background and 3+ years leading a welding or fabrication team; or an equivalent combination of welding and supervisory experience, education and skills may be considered. A valid AWS certification is highly desirable. A valid US driver's license and reliable transportation is required. Computer proficiency is required in order to navigate the company's ERP system, email, and other applications used regularly.

Merits Health Products, INC. offers a full benefits package to eligible employees including medical, dental, and vision insurance, supplemental disability & life insurance options, 401k + company match, (10) paid holidays per calendar year, eligibility for our company-wide quarterly discretionary bonus program, and monthly employee recognition luncheons.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure quality standards and goals are met and exceeded.
• Drive and support continuous improvement and a culture of quality, safety, and respect.
• Perform advanced welding operations to meet product specifications using techniques such as MIG/TIG welding on steel components for assemblies.
• Develop, implement, and monitor welding processes, procedures, facility layout, welding quality standards, and safety protocols.
• Interpret blueprints, drawings, and technical schematics to ensure accurate fabrication and precise execution.
• Set up and maintain welding equipment and stations, jigs, and fixtures for efficient, repeatable production with optimal performance
• Inspect completed welds for quality, accuracy, and adherence to safety standards.
• Conduct test-fits and ensure proper alignment and tolerances on all assemblies.
• Serve as the lead trainer and mentor for junior welders, ensuring adherence to safety and established methods and standards.
• Collaborate closely with engineering, QA, and Operations to continuously improve production flow and weld quality.
• Maintain welding certifications, equipment calibration, and consumable inventories.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA and company safety requirements.
• Assist in fit and finish operations for stairlift products along with outbound packaging process.
• Business travel as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

COMPETENCIES & QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must abide by Company safety policies and participate in Safety Training as required.?
• Must have proven hands-on welding experience with a deep understanding of safety practices.
• Must have a strong understanding of fabrication workflow.
• Must understand sandblasting and powder coating operations.
• Must have the ability to lead by example in a precision manufacturing environment.
• Must have solid experience using a variety of welding equipment and procedures (TIG, MMA, etc.)
• Must have experience in using electrical or manual tools (saws, squares, calipers etc.)
• Must be able to read and interpret technical documents and drawings such as, but not limited to blueprints, CAD drawings, etc.
• Must have the ability to train and mentor fellow employees in Welding and Fabrication operations.
• Must have knowledge of relative safety standards and experience with following and driving those standards by using PPE and providing training.
• Must have attention to detail and have natural problem-solving / trouble shooting competencies.
• Must be reliable and have a very strong work ethic.
• Must have the ability and willingness to learn advanced techniques as supported by the company.
• Must have good manual dexterity, good physical condition and strength, and good balance for safety and to tolerate performing essential job duties.
• Must have proficient computer skills and experience for communication such as email, data entry/documentation, etc., specifically with MS Office applications.
• Must have familiarity with ERP systems, or be ready, willing, and able to learn company ERP system within a reasonable period upon position acceptance.
• Must have overall technical abilities and savviness to quickly learn and efficiently work with Merits products.
• Must be a dedicated team player and collaborator with the capabilities to also work independently with little supervision.
• Must have valid driver’s license and must maintain throughout employment with company.
• Must have or be ready and willing to secure a US Passport for possible international travel.
• Must speak, read, and write fluent English and have excellent communication and customer service skills.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to sit for extended periods of time, but also will be required to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, climb/climb ladders or balance; use of hands to handle or feel objects; reach with hands and arms; frequently required to talk and hear; active use of computer/electronic devices. The employee is required to safely lift or move up to seventy-five (75) pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work Environment: Is a combination of a business office atmosphere, manufacturing operations, warehousing/storage, remote and/or business travel.

• Business Office Atmosphere: The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate, cool to ambient climate temperatures and moderately clean.
• Manufacturing/Production/Warehousing Environment: The employee may need to work near moving mechanical parts. In these environments, the noise levels may often be moderate to loud; ambient climate temperatures to humid and hot (depending on season or location), dry, dusty to moderately clean. Employees will be required to use and/or wear safety equipment / PPE, which will be provided to the employee by the company.
• Traveling: The employee may be exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time and place during business travel. This may include warm, hot, or cold temperatures. The noise level in the work environment may be moderate to loud; and moderately dusty depending upon the location/atmosphere.

Travel: This position may need to travel locally, regionally/nationally, and possibly internationally if necessary for business and/or training purposes. This position requires the ability to uphold the potential stressors of travel, which is expected to be up to 5%

Please note this job advertisement is not meant to be all inclusive of essential duties and responsibilities. Requirements, qualifications, competencies, tasks, essential responsibilities & duties, physical demands, and work environments which may or may not be reflected in this advertisement, are not exhaustive and may change as determined by the needs of the organization.

All employment offers are conditional and contingent upon successful completion of a Form I-9, successful completion of a pre-employment drug screening, and satisfactory results of a consumer credit report (after FCRA information has been received and authorized by an applicant).