Lead Welder

Sawtst, Llc; Aberdeen (MD); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Sawtst, Llc is seeking a Lead Welder Working Leader in Maryland/Aberdeen to drive fabrication planning and multi-project coordination. You will interface with engineering teams and ensure AWS specifications while leading safety programs onsite.

The role blends advanced welding execution with project coordination, requiring extensive experience, AWS CWI certification, NDT exposure, and crane operation capabilities for on-site fabrication excellence.

Qualifications

• 10+ years reading 3D models, blueprints, and weld symbols.
• Proficient use of precision instruments for complex layouts.
• AWS codes knowledge for structural welding.
• Experience leading multi-project crews and safety programs.
• AWS CWI certification with 5 years NDT experience.
• Able to operate bridge cranes up to 15 tons.

Responsibilities

• Develop fabrication plans from engineering drawings.
• Manage shop schedules and resource allocation.
• Interface with engineering to resolve design issues.
• Oversee safety and quality compliance.

Skills

Reading 3D models

Welding symbols

AWS codes

Team leadership

Safety oversight

Education

AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI)

Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) experience

Tools

Transits & laser range meters

Bridge cranes up to 15 tons

Job description

Description

Hiring is contingent upon award of contract

The Lead Welder is a Working Leader who provides dual capability as a highly skilled technician and a project coordinator. This role is responsible for driving production planning, managing multi-project crew workflows, interfacing with engineering teams, and ensuring rigorous adherence to industrial safety and American Welding Society (AWS) specifications.

Key Responsibilities

• Fabrication Architecture: Develop comprehensive, structured, start-to-finish fabrication plans featuring sequential or parallel tasks directly from engineering drawing packages.
• Resource & Timeline Management: Dynamically modify shop blueprints and project schedules based on real-time resource availability and shifting timelines.
• Engineering Liaison: Interface directly with the engineering team to proactively resolve design discrepancies.
• Problem Resolution: Diagnose and troubleshoot floor-level fabrication issues, including scheduling delays, weld repairs, material anomalies, and fitting constraints.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Core Technical Experience: Minimum 10 years of experience in:
  • Reading 3D models, engineering blueprints, drawings, and weld symbols to plan/fabricate multi-stage projects.
  • Utilizing precision instruments (transits, laser range meters, measuring tapes) for complex layouts.
  • Joint design and fabrication following AWS codes for structural building construction.
• Material Competency: Working knowledge of structural steel properties, including high‑strength carbon steel, low‑alloy steels, and heat‑treated constructional steels.
• Leadership & Safety: At least 10 years of leading multi-project scopes/crews, 5 years of workplace safety oversight, and 5 years of task planning and job assignment planning.
• Prerequisite Skills: Must meet all baseline qualifications for the Experimental Welder position.
• Mandatory Certifications:
  • Must be certified as an AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) with 5 years of Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) application experience.
  • Must be certified to safely operate bridge cranes up to a 15-ton capacity.

Secret Clearance Required