Production Tig Welder

McFarlane Aviation, Inc.; Palmer (AK); On-site; USD 32,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Paid Time Off (after 90 days)

Holiday pay

401(k)

Casual, hands-on work environment

Opportunities to grow skills withinavi

Job summary

McFarlane Aviation, Inc. in Palmer, Alaska is seeking an experienced TIG Welder to join our manufacturing team.

This hands-on role focuses on fabricating and welding aircraft components to exacting FAA-compliant standards, primarily with 4130 steel, stainless, and titanium. The ideal candidate has at least 3 years of TIG welding experience, reads fabrication prints, and can work independently in a production setting while maintaining quality and safety.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Minimum of 3 years of TIG welding and fabrication experience.
• Experience inspecting and repairing welds to meet weld specifications.
• Ability to read and interpret drawings and fabrication prints.
• Experience operating common fabrication and welding tools and equipment.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality workmanship.
• Ability to learn manufacturing processes and procedures quickly.
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision.
• Reliable, adaptable, and team‑oriented mindset.

Responsibilities

• Fabricate and weld metal components according to specifications with limited supervision.
• Apply TIG welding techniques to produce high-quality welds.
• Weld parts to FAA-approved manufacturing guidelines and specifications.
• Fit and weld landing gear legs and related assemblies.
• Layout and weld landing gear modifications under supervision of the shop foreman.
• Learn and assist in welding major fuselage sub‑assemblies and aircraft structures.
• Successfully assemble smaller sub‑assemblies including wing fittings, float fittings, and related components.
• Produce repeatable parts that conform to engineering and design requirements.
• Perform final inspections of fabricated assemblies prior to release.
• Inspect and repair welds as necessary to meet conformity standards.
• Maintain a high level of accuracy and workmanship with minimal rework required.
• Follow established manufacturing procedures and quality standards throughout production.
• Meet weekly production and welding goals.
• Work collaboratively within a team‑oriented manufacturing environment.
• Maintain clean and organized work areas, tools, and equipment.
• Perform general shop housekeeping and equipment maintenance.
• Work independently while remaining responsive to production priorities and direction.
• Support additional fabrication and production tasks as assigned by leadership.

Skills

TIG welding

Fabrication

Reading drawings

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

This is an onsite role in our Palmer, Alaska location

At McFarlane Aviation, we’ve spent over 50 years building a reputation for quality, reliability, and doing things the right way. Through our McFarlane Alaska division, we continue that commitment by supporting the pilots, operators, and aviation communities who rely on dependable aircraft and equipment in some of the harshest flying environments in the world.

In Alaska, aviation is more than transportation, it’s a critical part of everyday life. From remote access and backcountry operations to commercial and recreational flying, the products we manufacture help keep aircraft operating safely and reliably where performance matters most.

We are currently seeking an experienced TIG Welder to join our Palmer manufacturing team. This role is hands‑on and highly skilled, focused on fabricating and welding aircraft components and assemblies to exacting standards. The ideal candidate takes pride in craftsmanship, works with precision, and values producing quality work that directly supports the aviation community.

Position Overview

The TIG Welder is responsible for fabricating, fitting, and welding aircraft components and assemblies using FAA‑approved manufacturing procedures and specifications. This position works primarily with 4130 steel, stainless steel, and titanium to produce aircraft parts including fuselages, landing gear, tail assemblies, fittings, and related components.

This role requires strong attention to detail, the ability to work independently, and a commitment to producing repeatable, high‑quality welds in a production manufacturing environment.

Fabrication & Welding

• Fabricate and weld metal components according to specifications with limited supervision
• Apply appropriate TIG welding techniques to produce high-quality welds
• Weld parts to FAA‑approved manufacturing guidelines and specifications
• Fit and weld landing gear legs and related assemblies
• Layout and weld landing gear modifications under supervision of the shop foreman
• Learn and assist in welding major fuselage sub‑assemblies and aircraft structures
• Successfully assemble smaller sub‑assemblies including wing fittings, float fittings, and related components
• Produce repeatable parts that conform to engineering and design requirements

Quality & Inspection

• Perform final inspections of fabricated assemblies prior to release
• Inspect and repair welds as necessary to meet conformity standards
• Maintain a high level of accuracy and workmanship with minimal rework required
• Follow established manufacturing procedures and quality standards throughout production

Production & Team Support

• Meet weekly production and welding goals
• Work collaboratively within a team‑oriented manufacturing environment
• Maintain clean and organized work areas, tools, and equipment
• Perform general shop housekeeping and equipment maintenance
• Work independently while remaining responsive to production priorities and direction
• Support additional fabrication and production tasks as assigned by leadership

Skills & Experience

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Must be 18 years of age or older
• Minimum of 3 years of TIG welding and fabrication experience
• Experience inspecting and repairing welds to meet weld specifications
• Ability to read and interpret drawings and fabrication prints
• Experience operating common fabrication and welding tools and equipment
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality workmanship
• Ability to learn manufacturing processes and procedures quickly
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision
• Reliable, adaptable, and team‑oriented mindset

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with 4130 steel, stainless steel, or titanium
• Previous aviation, aerospace, motorsports, or precision manufacturing experience
• Familiarity with aircraft structures or FAA‑regulated manufacturing environments
• Strong mechanical aptitude and fabrication skills

Why McFarlane Aviation?

At McFarlane Aviation, we take pride in Making It Better—from the parts we manufacture to the relationships we build. Through McFarlane Alaska, that mission extends even farther by supporting the aviation community that keeps Alaska connected.

We believe in:

• Doing things right the first time
• Building products that perform in demanding environments
• Supporting the aviation community with quality and reliability
• Creating a workplace where craftsmanship and teamwork matter

What We Offer

• Competitive pay: $23.00–$36.00 hourly DOE
• Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
• Paid Time Off following 90 days of employment
• Holiday pay
• 401(k)
• Casual, hands‑on work environment
• Opportunities to grow skills within aviation manufacturing

McFarlane Aviation is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We believe diverse perspectives make us stronger and encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply.