Pipe Welder Journeyman

Solar Turbines Incorporated; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 67,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

401(k) savings plans

Paid time off

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Sign on Bonus

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. is seeking skilled welders for a busy San Diego-area shop. You will perform MIG, TIG, and other welding tasks on structures, enclosures, pipes, and components, aligning with procedures and quality standards.

The role requires the ability to read drawings, pass welding qualification tests, and support multiple fabrication activities. Safety, quality, and on-time delivery are key priorities in this environment.

Qualifications

• Must be able to recognize and avoid hazards and unsafe operation of equipment.
• Proficient with GMAW (MIG), DC/AC GTAW (TIG), FCAW, and GMAW-P operation.
• Must certify on 6G pipe position and on specified welding methods.
• Proficient in welding with Duplex Material.
• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Annual eye and hearing conservation exams.
• Welding hands-on assessment required for interview.

Responsibilities

• Weld per ASME B31.3 and AWS D1.1 standards.
• Comply with Solar Turbines and company standards for pressure vessels and structural elements.
• Perform pipe fitting and weld inspection and rework as needed.
• Read and follow welding procedures and work instructions; verify own and team work quality.
• Assist peers and provide support to other departments as required.
• Maintain documentation in MES and participate in Lean CI initiatives.
• Meet or exceed quality and on-time delivery metrics.

Skills

Hazard recognition

Safety conscious

Read welding procedures

Education

High School Diploma / GED

Tools

GMAW (MIG)

GTAW (TIG)

FCAW

GMAW-P (Pulse MIG)

6G pipe certification

Duplex welding

Job description

Career Area:

Job Description:

Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc.

When you join Caterpillar, you'rejoining a global team who cares not just about the work we do – but also about each other. We are the makers, problem solvers, and future world builders who are creating stronger, more sustainable communities. We don'tjust talk about progress and innovation here – we make it happen, with our customers, where we work and live. Together, we are building a better world, so we can all enjoy living in it.

This position is for experienced welders who are able to use the necessary equipment for MIG and TIG welding of structures, enclosures, pipes, and other components, as well as general fabrication and refurbishment, and operating equipment and heavy machinery. Experienced welders who are able to perform open root welding.

Nature and Scope

• An employee in this position must be able to work with their peers as well as individually, and follow directions from team leads, supervisors, and managers. They must follow work instructions and processes, weld according to part drawings, execute tasks, and assist peers and lower level welders while remaining productive and highly efficient. These employees are also expected to be able to work without official drawings, using their expertise to fulfill needs of a customer.
• They must have the ability to work on the highest level of complexity parts. They will regularly provide direction, feedback, and instruction to other welders. They must have the ability to take guidance, feedback, and priority from Team Leads, Inspector, Welding Engineer, supervisor, or respective manager to continually improve performance, productivity and/or quality of completed product.
• Employees in this position are expected to have impeccable quality with practically none of their products subject to required reworking or rejection. These employees will work with a wide range of materials, operate an array of equipment, and can handle unique challenges. It is expected they can meet tight tolerance requirements on parts demanding higher than usual precision. Must have ability to work in multiple areas of the shop and carry multiple certifications.
• Employees in this role must pass and maintain required welding qualification tests. They must be fully able to read, comply and understand welding procedures, and must be able to climb and work from ladders, scissor/man lifts, and scaffolds.

Equipment that may need to be set up and operated to complete duties:

• Welding equipment for GTAW, GMAW, GMAW-P, and FCAW
• Fabrication equipment such as a saw, grinder, plasma cutter, and drill press
• Turntable or Rotary Welding Positioner
• Measurement tools and gauges for checking work
• Crane, or transporter for moving materials, tools, and equipment
• Computer for completing work orders, recording work hours, and online training
• Welding equipment and software for semi- automated or automated machines
• Other equipment that may be necessary for completion of work

Principal Accountabilities

• Comply with all of Solar’s Environmental, Health and Safety Programs, Regulations and Guidelines, Policies, procedures, and best practices; use proper PPE, proper tools, etc
• Weld per ASME B31.3 standards and comply with PED standards as specified
• Weld per AWS D1.1 as needed
• Comply with Solar Turbines standards for pressure vessels and structural elements
• Perform pipe fitting without assistance unless unsafe to do so
• Clean welds including the cutting and repairing of unacceptable welds
• Check own work for conformance to welding procedure and specifications
• Check work of lower-level fabricators, providing feedback and suggestions when necessary
• Ensure that the welding procedures have been followed and quality has not been compromised
• Prepare material of own job when necessary
• Have work regularly inspected via Radiography (X-Ray) Inspection
• Provide welding/ fabrication support to other departments as needed (i.e., mock-up, rework, stud shooting, etc.)
• Use of Manufacturing Execution System to view drawings, read and follow work instructions, and record work order hours
• Participate in Lean Continuous Improvement projects and trainings on safety, quality, velocity, and cost
• Meet or exceed individual and team performance metrics for quality and on time delivery

Qualifications

• Must be able to recognize and avoid hazards and unsafe operation of equipment
• Proficient with a combination (not all required, but must hold multiple) of GMAW (MIG), DC/AC GTAW (TIG), FCAW (Flux Core), GMAW-P (Pulse MIG) operation
• Must be able to certify on pipe 6G position
• Must be able to certify on specified welding methods
• Proficient in welding with Duplex Material
• High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent required
• Annual eye exam required
• Annual hearing conservation exam required
• Successful completion of a welding hands-on assessment is required to qualify for an interview.

Summary Pay Range:

$32.52 – $48.78

Compensation and benefits may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, job level, market, location, job-related knowledge, skills, individual performance, and experience. Please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Caterpillar.

Benefits:

Subject to plan eligibility, terms, and guidelines. This is a summary list of benefits.

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits *
• Paid time off plan (Vacation, Holidays, Volunteer, etc.) *
• 401(k) savings plans *
• Health Savings Account (HSA) *
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) *
• Health Lifestyle Programs *
• Employee Assistance Program *
• Voluntary Benefits and Employee Discounts *
• Career Development *
• Incentive bonus *
• Disability benefits
• Life Insurance
• Parental leave
• Adoption benefits
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Sign on Bonus

* These benefits also apply to p art-time employees

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position. This employer is not currently hiring foreign national applicants that require or will require sponsorship tied to a specific employer, such as, H, L, TN, F, J, E, O. As a global company, Caterpillar offers many job opportunities outside of the U.S which can be found through our employment website at www.caterpillar.com/careers.

Posting Dates:
October 8, 2026 - October 22, 2026

Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen.

Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply.