Welder @ Aerotek

Job Title: Structural Steel WelderJob DescriptionThe Structural Steel Welder works in a shop environment to weld and fabricate structural steel components for commercial, industrial, institutional, and mission-critical construction projects across the East Coast. This role focuses on producing beams, columns, connections, and miscellaneous steel assemblies in accordance with detailed fabrication drawings, welding specifications, and code requirements, ensuring high-quality, code-compliant steel packages are delivered on time and on budget.

Responsibilities

• Review fabrication drawings, work orders, weld symbols, and welding procedures before starting each job to fully understand requirements and specifications.
• Set up welding equipment, verify materials, and confirm joint fit-up and alignment prior to welding to ensure accuracy and efficiency.
• Perform structural welds on carbon steel components using MIG and flux-cored welding processes on beams, columns, base plates, stiffeners, clips, and connection assemblies in multiple positions.
• Control weld penetration, bead profile, and heat input to minimize distortion and maintain structural integrity.
• Clean welds, remove slag, and perform basic grinding or touch-up work as required to meet quality and appearance standards.
• Self-inspect completed welds for quality, appearance, and compliance with drawings, weld symbols, and welding procedures.
• Coordinate with fitters, supervisors, and quality personnel to resolve fit-up, alignment, or weld-related issues in a timely manner.
• Follow all safety procedures, personal protective equipment requirements, and hot-work practices while working in the fabrication shop.
• Prepare completed assemblies for inspection, coating, or shipment by ensuring all welds and surfaces meet specified requirements.
• Operate and maintain tools and equipment such as wire-feed guns, torches, grinders, and magnetic drills in a safe and effective manner.
• Identify potential fit-up or weld issues early and communicate them to the appropriate team members to prevent rework.
• Follow written work instructions and welding procedures consistently to maintain repeatable, code-compliant weld quality.

Essential Skills

• At least 4 years of recent welding experience in a structural or fabrication environment.
• Hands-on experience welding structural carbon steel components using MIG and flux-cored processes.
• Ability to perform welds in multiple positions, including flat, horizontal, vertical, and overhead.
• Proven ability to control bead profile, penetration, fusion, and heat input to achieve high-quality welds.
• Ability to produce repeatable, code-compliant welds in a production environment.
• Strong blueprint reading skills, including the ability to read and interpret fabrication drawings and weld symbols.
• Understanding of joint types, weld sizes, and connection details used in structural steel fabrication.
• Ability to visualize how individual welds and components fit into the overall assembly.
• Experience with fabrication tasks such as fitting, tacking, and assembling structural components before welding.
• Comfort following written work instructions and welding procedures with attention to detail.
• General structural welding experience in a weld shop environment, including working with structural steel and related components.

Work EnvironmentThis role is based in a non-climate-controlled fabrication and welding shop, working primarily Monday through Friday with some Saturday shifts as needed. The environment involves production welding on large structural steel components using MIG and flux-cored processes, along with regular use of tools such as wire-feed guns, torches, grinders, and magnetic drills. Personal protective equipment is required at all times, including steel-toe footwear, hard hat, safety glasses, and gloves. Candidates should be comfortable working in an industrial shop setting with varying temperatures, noise levels, and typical fabrication shop conditions. A weld test will be required as part of the hiring process.

Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract to Hire position based out of Richmond, VA.

Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $24.00 - $32.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

Medical, dental & vision

Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital

401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available

Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)

Short and long-term disability

Health Spending Account (HSA)

Transportation benefits

Employee Assistance Program

Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Nov 18, 2026.

Workplace TypeThis is a fully onsite position in Richmond,VA.

About Aerotek

Aerotek® Inc. provides staffing and services solutions in manufacturing, logistics, construction, aviation, facilities and maintenance. We provide the expertise, solutions and people required to rise to the challenges of North American industry. Headquartered in Hanover, Md., Aerotek operates a unified network of over 200 offices across North America, supporting more than 18,000 clients each year. Aerotek is an Allegis Group company, the global leader in workforce and business solutions. To learn more, visit: Aerotek.com | 1-888-AEROTEK.

Aerotek offers weekly pay, employee benefits including medical, dental & vision, life insurance, health advocacy and employee assistance programs, a 401(k) plan, and employee discounts.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.