Welder 1st

John Soules Foods; Tyler (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation / Sick days

Medical, Dental, Vision Benefits

Telemedicine

Job summary

John Soules Foods in Tyler, Texas is seeking a skilled Welder to plan and lay out repair work and operate welding equipment for food-grade stainless steel.

You will perform TIG welding (GTAW), MIG and Stick as needed, read blueprints, and ensure sanitary, crevice-free welds that meet GMP and USDA standards. Experience in food/beverage environments and AWS certification preferred; competitive benefits apply.

Qualifications

• Certified Welder (AWS or equivalent).
• 2–5 years welding in food, beverage, dairy, or pharmaceutical environments.
• Strong TIG welding on thin-gauge stainless steel.
• Knowledge of sanitary welding standards and hygienic design.
• Able to read technical drawings and follow procedures.
• FDA/USDA, 3-A Sanitary Standards knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Perform TIG welding (GTAW) on food-grade stainless steel (304/316L).
• Produce sanitary, smooth, crevice-free welds for food contact surfaces.
• Weld and repair sanitary piping, tanks, conveyors, and processing equipment.
• Follow approved Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS).
• Grind, polish, and finish welds to sanitary surface standards.
• Maintain cleanliness and prevent contamination in production areas.
• Read and interpret blueprints and weld symbols; document repairs.
• Comply with GMP, food safety, and workplace safety policies.
• Work with maintenance, QA, and production teams.

Skills

TIG welding

GTAW

Sanitary welding

Blueprint reading

Quality checks

Education

AWS Certified Welder

Job description

Travel

Normal Work Schedule: The typical working hours are 6:00 am to 3:00 pm with a 45-minute lunch.

Job Title: Welder

Location: Tyler, Tx

Department: Maintenance

Reports To: Maintenance

Direct Reports: Bill Heibel

Travel

Normal Work Schedule: The typical working hours are 6:00 am to 3:00 pm with a 45-minute lunch.

Overview Of Company

Soules Foods is a thriving family-owned food company that has made a positive difference for its customers and consumers for nearly 50 years. Our purpose and promise of Great Food, Made Simple drives us. Based in Tyler, Texas, the company is a leading national producer of ready-to-eat and ready-to- cook chicken and beef products and is the number one producer of chicken and beef fajitas in the USA. We proudly serve a broad portfolio of great-tasting, high-quality products sold throughout the US via retail, food service distributors, and restaurants. Our wide array of national customers includes prominent organizations such as Walmart, Costco, Sam’s Club, Sysco, and HEB. The company was established in 1975 by John Soules Sr., and the business is now in the second generation of family leadership. The organization has expanded dramatically over the past decade, and with its continued growth, it now has annual sales of approximately $1 billion. The company employs over 2,000 individuals and has three manufacturing facilities in Gainesville, Georgia; Valley, Alabama; and its headquarters in Tyler, Texas.

Job Summary

Plan and Lay out repair work, using diagrams, blueprints, Operate welding equipment to cut or join metal parts Proficient in Tig, Mig and Stick welding processes Requires skills for fabricating, basic blueprint reading.

Qualifications

• Minimum Qualifications (Required)
• Certified Welder (AWS or equivalent)
• 2 to 5 years years experience welding in food, beverage, dairy, or pharmaceutical environments
• Strong TIG welding skills on thin-gauge stainless steel
• Knowledge of sanitary welding standards and hygienic design
• Ability to produce full-penetration, contamination-free welds
• Ability to read technical drawings and follow written procedures
• Familiarity with FDA/USDA , 3-A Sanitary Standards, or equivalent regulations
• Preferred Qualifications
• Additional safety training (LOTO, confined space, hot work permits)

Key Responsibilities

NOTE: This description is not intended to be all-inclusive. An employee may perform other related duties to meet the organization's ongoing needs; these duties are considered marginal.

• Perform TIG welding (GTAW) on food-grade stainless steel (304/316L)
• Produce sanitary, smooth, crevice-free welds suitable for food contact surfaces
• Weld and repair sanitary piping, tanks, conveyors, and processing equipment
• Follow approved Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS)
• Grind, polish, and finish welds to required sanitary surface standards
• Maintain cleanliness and prevent contamination in production areas
• Read and interpret blueprints, isometric drawings, and weld symbols
• Conduct visual inspections and assist with quality checks (e.g., dye penetrant)
• Document weld repairs and maintenance activities
• Comply with GMP, food safety, and workplace safety policies
• Work collaboratively with maintenance, QA, and production teams

Work Environment

• This position requires working on the production floor in a cold environment with an average temperature of 40°F. The employee will be exposed to moderate noise levels, fast-paced operations, moving machinery, wet and dry areas, and must always wear personal protective equipment (PPE). The role requires interaction with employees, contractors, and supervisors in a dynamic manufacturing setting.

Physical Demands

• The role requires standing and walking for extended periods, often over eight hours per shift. The employee must be able to use hands, fingers, arms, and reach as part of daily tasks. The position involves lifting and moving up to 25 pounds regularly and up to 50 pounds occasionally. Visual requirements include the ability to see up close, at a distance, and to adjust focus. Repetitive movement, bending, twisting, and climbing may be required.

The applicant who fills this position will be eligible for the following:

• Vacation / Sick days
• Medical, Dental, Vision Benefits
• Telemedicine