Welder

Aerotek; Stafford (VA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Life Insurance

Disability coverage

Health Spending Account

Job summary

Aerotek in Stafford, VA is seeking a MIG Welder / Fabricator to support defense industry projects. You will weld carbon steel, galvanized steel, stainless steel, and aluminum, fabricate fencing components, read blueprints, and ensure parts meet strict quality standards.

This contract, onsite role emphasizes safety, precise workmanship, and teamwork with fabrication, quality, and production teams. You will operate grinders and fabrication machines, stage parts for finishing, and help maintain a

Qualifications

• Experience MIG welding across carbon steel, galvanized, stainless steel, and aluminum.
• Ability to read blueprints and welding symbols; interpret specs.
• Defense industry exposure preferred; strong safety and quality mindset.

Responsibilities

• Perform MIG welding on various metals per specs.
• Fabricate components for fencing, gates, frames per drawings.
• Read blueprints and welding symbols; plan fabrication work.
• Set up and operate welding equipment safely.
• Measure, cut, fit, and assemble parts to tight tolerances.
• Inspect welds for quality and strength.
• Maintain compliance with defense quality standards.
• Maintain clean, safe work area; perform basic maintenance.
• Collaborate with teams to meet schedules.
• Finish parts using grinding and fabrication techniques.
• Assist material handling with forklifts or cranes if qualified.

Skills

MIG welding

Fabrication

Blueprint reading

Welding equipment operation

Sheet metal work

Flux core welding

Weld inspection

Safety/compliance

Defense industry experience

Education

AWS welding certification

Tools

Grinders

Fabrication machinery

Overhead crane

Forklift

Job description

Job Title: MIG Welder / Fabricator

Job Description

This position supports manufacturing operations for a company that services the defense industry by performing high-quality MIG welding and fabrication of metal fencing systems and related products. You will work with a variety of metals to produce precise, structurally sound components that meet strict defense and quality standards. The role requires strong attention to detail, a commitment to safety, and the ability to interpret technical drawings and specifications while collaborating closely with fabrication, quality, and production teams.

Responsibilities

• Perform MIG welding on a range of materials including carbon steel, galvanized steel, stainless steel, and aluminum.
• Fabricate metal components for fencing, barriers, gates, frames, and similar products according to specifications.
• Read and interpret blueprints, shop drawings, and welding symbols to plan and execute fabrication work accurately.
• Set up and operate welding equipment, hand tools, grinders, and fabrication machinery safely and efficiently.
• Measure, cut, fit, and assemble metal parts to precise tolerances and dimensions.
• Inspect completed welds for quality, strength, and appearance, ensuring they meet defense and internal quality standards.
• Maintain compliance with defense industry quality requirements, safety procedures, and production documentation.
• Perform minor maintenance on welding and fabrication equipment to ensure proper operation.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work area in the metal fabrication shop.
• Collaborate with fabrication, quality, and production teams to meet build schedules and production targets.
• Use grinding, bending, and other fabrication techniques to prepare and finish parts as required.
• Assist with material handling, including the use of forklifts or overhead cranes if qualified.

Essential Skills

• Proven experience with MIG welding on carbon steel, galvanized steel, stainless steel, and aluminum.
• Strong fabrication skills, including measuring, cutting, fitting, and assembling metal components.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, shop drawings, welding symbols, and production documentation.
• Hands-on experience operating welding equipment, grinders, and common fabrication machinery.
• Proficiency with sheet metal work, including bending and forming operations.
• Experience performing flux core welding as needed for specific applications.
• Ability to conduct visual inspections of welds to assess quality, strength, and appearance.
• Familiarity with quality inspections and documentation processes, particularly in regulated industries.
• Understanding of and adherence to safety practices in a metal fabrication environment.
• Experience manufacturing products for the defense or government contracting industry.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Welding certifications such as AWS or equivalent credentials.
• Experience fabricating fencing systems, gates, or structural frames.
• Experience working with sheet metal fabrication and assembly.
• Experience with grinding, finishing, and other metal preparation processes.
• Forklift or overhead crane experience for safe material handling.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a fabrication, quality, and production team.

Why Work Here?

You will join a team that takes pride in building high-quality products that support critical defense applications. The environment emphasizes craftsmanship, safety, and adherence to rigorous quality standards, giving you the opportunity to refine your welding and fabrication skills on complex, meaningful projects. You will work closely with experienced professionals in fabrication and quality, gain exposure to defense industry requirements, and contribute directly to products that must perform reliably in demanding conditions.

Work Environment

This role is based in a metal fabrication shop that is not climate controlled. Temperatures can be cold in the winter and hot in the summer, with fans and bay doors used to improve airflow. You will work around welding equipment, grinders, fabrication machinery, and metal materials, following strict safety procedures and wearing appropriate protective gear. The environment is hands-on, production-focused, and collaborative, with close coordination between fabrication, quality, and production teams to meet build schedules.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Stafford, VA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $20.00 - $32.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your jobclassification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may besubject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefitsavailable for this temporary role may include the following:

Medical, dental & visionCritical Illness, Accident, and Hospital401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions availableLife Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)Short and long-term disabilityHealth Spending Account (HSA)Transportation benefitsEmployee Assistance ProgramTime Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 29, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Stafford,VA.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.