Tack Welder / Fitter

Location: Hampton, VA
Shift: 1st Shift
Pay: $25–$30/hour
Employment Type: Direct hire

Position Summary

The Tack Welder / Fitter is responsible for fitting, aligning, positioning, and tack welding fabricated metal components in preparation for final welding and assembly.

This role requires strong blueprint-reading skills, accurate measuring and layout ability, and hands-on experience working with structural or fabricated metal components. The Tack Welder / Fitter will work closely with welders, fabricators, and production personnel to ensure assemblies are properly aligned, dimensionally accurate, and ready for final welding.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Read and interpret blueprints, fabrication drawings, weld symbols, and technical specifications

  
  

• Measure, mark, position, and fit metal components according to drawings and job requirements

  
  

• Perform tack welding to hold parts securely in proper alignment before final welding

  
  

• Use clamps, fixtures, squares, levels, and other layout tools to maintain proper fit-up

  
  

• Verify dimensions, angles, gaps, and tolerances prior to welding

  
  

• Prepare metal surfaces by grinding, cleaning, beveling, or removing imperfections as needed

  
  

• Identify and correct fit-up or alignment issues before assemblies move to final welding

  
  

• Use MIG/GMAW and other applicable welding processes for tack welding

  
  

• Work with plate, structural components, brackets, frames, and fabricated assemblies

  
  

• Operate grinders, saws, drills, torches, and other fabrication equipment

  
  

• Move and position materials using appropriate material-handling equipment

  
  

• Perform visual inspections of completed fit-up and tack welds

  
  

• Communicate fabrication issues or drawing discrepancies to supervisors or production leads

  
  

• Maintain accurate production and quality documentation as required

  
  

• Maintain a clean and organized work area

  
  

• Follow all safety procedures and required PPE requirements

Qualifications

• Previous experience as a fitter, tack welder, fabricator, or structural welder

  
  

• Strong blueprint and fabrication drawing interpretation skills

  
  

• Ability to understand weld symbols and dimensional requirements

  
  

• Experience performing fit-up and tack welding

  
  

• Ability to accurately use tape measures, squares, levels, and other measuring tools

  
  

• Strong understanding of alignment, spacing, angles, and tolerances

  
  

• Familiarity with MIG/GMAW welding processes

  
  

• Experience using grinders, torches, saws, and fabrication tools

  
  

• Strong mechanical aptitude

  
  

• Ability to identify and correct fit-up issues

  
  

• Strong attention to detail and quality

  
  

• Ability to work independently and as part of a production team

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in defense, aerospace, shipbuilding, structural fabrication, or heavy manufacturing

  
  

• Welding certification or vocational welding training

  
  

• Experience fitting large or complex fabricated assemblies

  
  

• Experience with carbon steel, stainless steel, or specialty metals

  
  

• Familiarity with quality-controlled or regulated manufacturing environments

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods

  
  

• Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, and work in varying positions

  
  

• Ability to lift and move materials up to 50 lbs. as needed

  
  

• Ability to work around welding equipment, sparks, heat, fumes, and manufacturing machinery

  
  

• Ability to safely wear required PPE

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