Sanitary Welder

Air Comfort, Inc; Bethlehem (Northampton County); On-site; USD 30,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

401K Retirement

Life Insurance

Paid Time Off

Shift Premiums

Job summary

Gregory Packaging, Inc. in Bethlehem, PA is seeking a skilled Sanitary Welder to join our beverage processing team. This role performs TIG welding on stainless steel piping, tanks, and equipment to food-grade hygienic standards required for beverage production.

The ideal candidate has 3–5 years of sanitary welding experience in beverage or related industries, reads P&ID drawings, and adheres to GMP/5S procedures. Strong attention to cleanliness and safety is essential.

Qualifications

• High school diploma, GED, or technical school certificate.
• Minimum 3–5 years of sanitary welding experience, preferably in beverage, dairy, food, or pharmaceutical processing industries.

Responsibilities

• Perform TIG (GTAW) welding on stainless steel tubing, piping, and sheet metal with food-grade, sanitary finishes (typically 304 and 316 SS).
• Fabricate, assemble, and install sanitary piping systems, tanks, and equipment according to P&ID diagrams, blueprints, and isometric drawings.
• Ensure all welds meet sanitary standards (e.g., no cracks, pits, inclusions, or crevices that could harbor bacteria).
• Conduct grinding, polishing, and passivation of welds to meet beverage industry hygiene requirements (e.g., Ra ≤ 32 μin or better).
• Inspect welds visually and with borescopes or dye penetrant testing as required.
• Follow 5S and GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) in all work areas.
• Participate in plant shutdowns, new equipment installations, and modifications to existing beverage processing lines.
• Collaborate with engineers, project managers, and maintenance teams to ensure system integrity and compliance.
• Maintain accurate welding logs, inspection reports, and documentation per QA/QC programs.
• Adhere strictly to safety protocols and lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures.

Skills

TIG welding

P&ID interpretation

Safety awareness

Detail oriented

Teamwork

Orbital welding

ASME BPE standards

Education

High school diploma/GED/technical cert

Tools

Orbital welding equipment

ASME BPE standards

Job description

Gregory Packaging, Inc.

https://gregorypackaginginc.com/

Proudly 100% American owned since 1922

Sanitary Welder

Department: Maintenance

Shift: 1st Shift

Location: Bethlehem, PA

Reports to: Maintenance Manager

Employment Type: Full Time

Work Setting: Manufacturing

Pay Type: Hourly

About Gregory Packaging, Inc.

Gregory Packaging Inc. is a highly successful, fourth-generation, family-owned, growth-oriented beverage manufacturer headquartered in Bethlehem, PA, with history dating back to 1922. What began as a seafood business evolved into fruit juice manufacturing in the 1960s, eventually giving rise to the company’s flagship brand, SunCup. Today, Gregory Packaging operates in Pennsylvania, Virginia, Georgia, New Jersey, and Arizona, producing quality, all-natural beverages distributed to industries like Health Care, K-12 Care and Education, Elderly Care and Prisons across all 50 states.

Benefits Summary

• Medical, Dental, Vision
• 401K Retirement Plan
• Life Insurance, Short Term/Long Term Disability, Critical Illness, and more
• 80 hours Paid Time Off annually, rollover allowed, accrued from date of hire
• 7 Paid Holidays
• Weekly Pay, Shift Premiums
• Referral Bonus Program, Employee Discount Program

Position Summary

We are seeking a skilled Sanitary Welder to join our beverage processing team. This role is responsible for performing high-quality welding and fabrication of stainless steel piping systems, vessels, and equipment to strict hygienic standards required for beverage production. The Sanitary Welder ensures all welds meet industry regulations and internal specifications, and are suitable for food-grade and aseptic processes.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Perform TIG (GTAW) welding on stainless steel tubing, piping, and sheet metal with food-grade, sanitary finishes (typically 304 and 316 SS).
• Fabricate, assemble, and install sanitary piping systems, tanks, and equipment according to P&ID diagrams, blueprints, and isometric drawings.
• Ensure all welds meet sanitary standards (e.g., no cracks, pits, inclusions, or crevices that could harbor bacteria).
• Conduct grinding, polishing, and passivation of welds to meet beverage industry hygiene requirements (e.g., Ra ≤ 32 μin or better).
• Inspect welds visually and with borescopes or dye penetrant testing as required.
• Follow 5S and GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) in all work areas.
• Participate in plant shutdowns, new equipment installations, and modifications to existing beverage processing lines.
• Collaborate with engineers, project managers, and maintenance teams to ensure system integrity and compliance.
• Maintain accurate welding logs, inspection reports, and documentation per QA/QC programs.
• Adhere strictly to safety protocols and lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• High school diploma, GED, or technical school certificate.
• Minimum 3–5 years of sanitary welding experience, preferably in beverage, dairy, food, or pharmaceutical processing industries.

Certifications & Licenses

• AWS D18.1 (Welding Standard for Sanitary Tube Welding) – preferred
• ASME Section IX Certification – optional, but a major advantage
• OSHA 10/30 Hour Safety Certification – preferred
• Forklift, aerial lift, and confined space training (or willing to obtain)

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Proficient in TIG welding (1G–6G positions) on thin-wall stainless steel tubing (e.g., 1”–4” OD, 16–18 gauge).
• Familiarity with ASME BPE (Bioprocessing Equipment) standards or 3-A Sanitary Standards is highly preferred.
• Ability to read and interpret P&IDs, schematics, weld maps, and fabrication drawings.
• Experience with orbital welding equipment (automatic welding machines) is a plus.
• Strong attention to detail, cleanliness, and quality workmanship.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment under time-sensitive conditions.

Physical Demands

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Comfortable working in confined spaces, at heights, and in varying temperature environments (cold rooms, hot areas).
• Standing, bending, kneeling, and climbing ladders for extended periods.