Welder I

Master Machine, LLC; Chattanooga, Northern (TN, KY); Hybrid; USD 25,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Master Machine LLC, based in Chattanooga, TN, is seeking an entry-level Welder I to support our nuclear, defense, and critical infrastructure programs. Under close supervision, you will prepare materials, follow travelers, and execute standard joints while developing safety habits, print-reading skills, and process discipline required to grow within the welding trade.

You will complete OSHA safety onboarding and basic welding training (MIG/Stick or TIG), pass our internal weld skills assessment,

Qualifications

• Ability to read basic blueprints and interpret common weld symbols.
• Willingness to complete OSHA safety onboarding (PPE, LOTO, HazCom).
• Basic process training or hands-on experience in MIG/Stick or TIG welding.
• Ability to pass Master Machine’s internal weld skills assessment.
• Demonstrated safe work practices and consistent attendance.
• Ability to follow travelers, sign-offs, and documentation with guidance.

Responsibilities

• Perform standard joints on assigned parts under close supervision.
• Follow blueprints, weld symbols, and travelers exactly as written.
• Ask questions and escalate before starting a weld.
• Produce consistent weld quality with minimal rework.
• Perform basic visual self-checks on every weld before moving on.
• Sign off on traveler steps only after work has been completed correctly.

Skills

Blueprint reading

Weld symbols

OSHA onboarding

MIG/Stick or TIG welding

Documentation following travelers

Job description

• The Welder I performs entry-level weld assignments in support of Master Machine’s nuclear, defense, and critical infrastructure programs. Working under close supervision, this welder prepares materials, follows travelers, and executes standard joints while developing the safety habits, print-reading skills, and process discipline required to grow within the welding trade.
• This role is evaluated on two equally weighted dimensions: Competency (what you do) and Culture (how you do it).

Big 3 - Competency // What you'll do

1. Weld Execution Under Supervision

Execute basic weld assignments to print with consistent quality, with close guidance from Lead Welder or Supervisor.

Basic Weld Assignments

• Perform standard joints on assigned parts under close supervision
• Follow blueprints, weld symbols, and travelers exactly as written
• Ask questions and escal... before starting a weld

Quality Discipline

• Produce consistent weld quality with minimal rework
• Perform basic visual self-checks on every weld before moving on
• Sign off on traveler steps only after work has been completed correctly

2. Setup, Prep & Safety

Prepare materials, tools, and the work area to enable safe, efficient welding in line with Master Machine’s safety and quality standards.

Material & Fixture Prep

• Prepare materials, joints, and fixtures for the assigned process
• Assist Welder II/III and Lead Welder with setup as directed
• Keep the work area clean, organized, and free of trip or fire hazards

Safety Practices

• Wear PPE correctly at all times and follow LOTO and HazCom procedures
• Follow all OSHA safety protocols and Master Machine site rules
• Stop work and eliminate immediately if a safety condition is unsafe

3. Skill Development & Reliability

Build the foundational skills, dependability, and craftsmanship required to advance toward Welder II qualification.

Learning & Certification

• Complete OSHA safety onboarding: PPE, LOTO, HazCom
• Complete basic process training in MIG/Stick or TIG as assigned
• Pass the internal weld skills assessment and blueprint/weld-symbol checks
• Meet attendance, punctuality, and shift-readiness standards consistently
• Accept feedback and coaching from senior welders without defensiveness
• Show ownership of assigned work from setup through cleanup

Big 5 - Culture // How you'll live our values

1. Champion Customer Success

"We win when our customers win."

Every weld on a nuclear or defense component ends up in a system a customer trusts with their people, their mission, or their community. Even an entry-level welder’s work has to help the customer succeed — not just check a box.

What this looks like in this role:

• Treat every weld as if the customer is inspecting it
• Follow the traveler and print exactly — no shortcuts that put the customer at risk
• Surface unclear specs or symbols before starting, not after the weld is on the part
• Take pride in delivering clean, on-spec work that helps the crew hit customer commitments

"Servant leadership, integrity, and transparency in all we do."

At this level, serving first means helping the crew and the customer succeed by being coachable, honest, and safety-first. Integrity shows up in how you handle the traveler, the setup, and the small choices no one sees.

What this looks like in this role:

• Record traveler steps honestly and only after the work is truly complete
• Follow safety, PPE, LOTO, and HazCom procedures without cutting corners
• Speak up early when a joint, material, or setup does not look right
• Serve teammates by keeping the work area, tooling, and consumables ready for the next person

3. Win, Together

"We are becoming, and we are building, a great team."

The Welder I is part of a crew whose success depends on setup, hand-offs, and hustle. We win as a team — which means investing in the shift, not just your own part.

What this looks like in this role:

• Show up on time, ready to work, every shift
• Help teammates with prep, cleanup, and setup without being asked
• Communicate clearly with Lead Welder and fellow welders throughout the shift
• Assume positive intent, respect senior welders, and learn from them

4. Relentlessly Pursue Excellence

Master Machine welders are craftspeople. Even at entry level, this welder gets a little better every day — blueprint reading, process control, and clean technique that build a long career.

What this looks like in this role:

• Practice and improve technique on every part, not just the hard ones
• Study prints and weld symbols to sharpen skills between assignments
• Take training and process qualifications seriously and prepare for them
• Look for small ways to make each shift safer, cleaner, or more efficient

5. Practice Blameless Accountability

"We own the outcome, fix the issue, learn and move forward."

Accountability at this level means owning your part of the job — the prep, the weld, the cleanup, and the traveler — and being honest about what went well and what did not so the crew can fix it and move forward.

What this looks like in this role:

• Own the work assigned to you from start to finish
• Report defects or rework openly and early, not quietly
• Accept coaching and correction without excuses or defensiveness
• Turn each mistake into a lesson you apply on the next job

Qualifications

• Ability to read basic blueprints and interpret common weld symbols
• Willingness to complete OSHA safety onboarding (PPE, LOTO, HazCom)
• Basic process training or hands-on experience in MIG/Stick or TIG welding
• Ability to pass Master Machine’s internal weld skills assessment
• Demonstrated safe work practices and consistent attendance
• Ability to follow travelers, sign-offs, and documentation with guidance

About Master Machine

• Founded in 1993 and headquartered in Chattanooga, TN, Master Machine LLC is a precision machining and fabrication company specializing in high‑specification components for the nuclear, defense, and critical infrastructure sectors.
• As part of Fusion Enterprises - a private company building a best‑in‑class portfolio of businesses serving the nuclear energy industry - Master Machine delivers complex, safety‑related components manufactured to the highest quality standards under a robust nuclear Quality Assurance Program.
• Together with Fusion, we are focused on operational excellence, long‑term customer partnerships, and providing essential solutions that help power and protect our world.