Industrial Welder and Setup Operator

Laborup; Rockford (IL); On-site; USD 41,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits (Day One)

401(k) with company match

Paid vacation and holidays

Competitive union wages

Opportunities for overtime

Long-term advancement and skill growth

Stable manufacturing environment

Job summary

Laborup in Rockford, IL seeks an experienced Industrial Welder / Setup Operator to join the second-shift team. You will set up welding equipment, read blueprints, and weld complex components to exacting standards.

The role requires hands-on welding across positions, precision measuring, and the ability to troubleshoot setups. We offer stable, union wages, comprehensive benefits, and long-term growth within a respected manufacturing environment.

Qualifications

• Hands-on industrial welding experience required.
• Strong experience with welding setups, fit-up and fabrication.
• Ability to read blueprints and welding specifications independently.
• Experience welding in multiple positions.
• Understanding of welding procedures, filler metals and distortion control.
• Comfortable using precision measuring tools like calipers and micrometers.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting ability.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• High school diploma or GED required; technical welding training preferred.

Responsibilities

• Set up and operate manual, semi-automatic, and automatic welding equipment.
• Read and interpret blueprints, engineering drawings, welding symbols, and WPS.
• Plan, lay out, fit, tack, and weld components.
• Weld in multiple positions as required.
• Select filler metals and adjust welding parameters to control distortion.
• Set up fixtures, jigs, positioning equipment and workholding devices.
• Perform cutting, grinding, trimming, and finishing operations.
• Inspect completed welds and identify defects; troubleshoot issues.

Skills

Blueprint reading

Welding setup

Multiple positions

Precision measuring

Troubleshooting

Education

High school diploma

Technical welding training

Job description

We're partnering with a well-established, industry-leading manufacturer seeking an experienced Industrial Welder / Setup Operator to join its second-shift team.

This is an excellent opportunity for welders who enjoy challenging setups, complex industrial components, precision fabrication, and taking ownership of their work. You'll join a stable, highly respected manufacturing operation offering competitive union wages, excellent benefits, and long-term career opportunities.

We're looking for skilled welders who can do more than simply run repetitive welds. You should be comfortable independently reading blueprints, preparing and fitting components, setting up welding equipment, selecting filler materials, and producing high-quality welds to demanding specifications.

Compensation & Schedule

• Starting Pay: $30–$38/hr (estimated based on tenure and experience)
• Shift: Monday–Friday, 3:00 PM–11:30 PM
• Training: Initial training completed on 1st shift
• Overtime: Opportunities may be available

Responsibilities:

• Set up and operate manual, semi-automatic, and automatic welding equipment.
• Perform arc and gas welding on complex industrial components and assemblies.
• Read and interpret blueprints, engineering drawings, welding symbols, and welding procedure specifications (WPS).
• Independently plan, lay out, fit, tack, and weld components.
• Perform welding in multiple positions as required.
• Select filler metals and adjust welding parameters to control distortion and shrinkage.
• Set up fixtures, jigs, positioning equipment, and workholding devices.
• Perform cutting, grinding, trimming, and finishing operations.
• Maintain tight dimensional tolerances and meet established welding quality standards.
• Inspect completed welds and identify potential defects.
• Troubleshoot welding setups, equipment, and fabrication challenges.
• Work with ferrous and non-ferrous materials.

• Previous hands-on industrial welding experience.
• Strong experience with welding setups, fit-up, and fabrication.
• Ability to independently read blueprints and welding specifications.
• Experience performing welding in multiple positions.
• Understanding of welding procedures, filler metals, and distortion control.
• Comfortable using precision measuring instruments, including calipers and micrometers.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting ability.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• High school diploma or GED required; technical welding training preferred.

• Medical benefits beginning Day One
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid vacation and holidays
• Competitive union wages and job stability
• Opportunities for overtime
• Long-term advancement and skill development
• Stable, established manufacturing environment