Welder I

ES Utilities South Dakota-USA; Holden (LA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Ferrara/KME in the United States is seeking a skilled welder to fabricate large, custom vehicles. You will read shop orders, set parts in fixtures, and weld joints to exact specifications, ensuring dimensional accuracy and cosmetic quality.

This role emphasizes safety, teamwork, and continuous improvement, with opportunities to contribute to lean initiatives and training support for new hires.

Qualifications

• Follow work orders, specs and drawings to assemble welds.
• Ensure dimensional accuracy and proper weld size per procedures.
• Maintain quality and safety standards in a high-volume shop.
• Assist in continuous improvement and Kaizen activities.

Responsibilities

• Weld components according to procedures and specs.
• Review material requirements and prepare parts.
• Set parts in fixtures and select welding parameters to minimize distortion.
• Operate hand tools and welding equipment safely.
• Maintain clean, safe work area and document workmanship.
• Support training for new employees.

Skills

Teamwork

Safety consciousness

Quality focus

Initiative

Lean mindset

Flexibility

Tools

Welding machines

Fixtures

Overhead cranes

Job description

Ferrara/KME are premiere manufacturers of fire trucks and emergency response vehicles offering a full line of pumpers, aerials, industrial, wildland, and rescue apparatus. Working hands-on with both municipal and industrial fire departments, the Ferrara/KME team thrives on diagnosing departments' current apparatus limitations and response needs to custom design the perfect fire apparatus solution that will stand the test of time.

Ferrara/KME is part of Terex Corporation, a global designer and manufacturer of specialized vehicles and equipment, including fire and emergency vehicles, waste and recycling equipment, RV's, and machinery supporting construction, utilities, and infrastructure. With operations across the U.S. and globally, we are committed to safety, innovation, and quality while building products our customers depend on every day.

SCOPE:

Perform welds on components to exacting specifications, as part of the manufacture of large, custom, special purpose vehicles, working within the limits of standard or accepted practice.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Work from shop orders, specifications, prints and instructions.
• Review material and product requirements; ensure that parts are cut and prepared as prescribed.
• Set parts in assembly fixture, position, layout and clamp in place in specified orientation to ensure dimensional accuracy. Select welding parameters per specified weld procedures. Work in teams and follow work instructions to ensure that heat is contained in limited area to minimize unit distortion. Fit, tack, and weld joints in specific locations with designated welding procedure specifications and configuration to ensure compliance with weld size, weld continuity, fill, distortion and cosmetic requirements.
• Manipulate large, heavy units as required to accommodate efficient welding operations.
• Make visual and dimensional check of work and document as required. Move work to succeeding work area to maintain workflow. Notify supervisor of unusual equipment or operating problems.
• Support training and orientation programs for new and transferring employees and report on results.
• The welder is solely responsible for his or her weld quality, which will be inspected by the Ferrara Quality Department, co-workers or an outside third party agency. The company will utilize audits and operator quality tracking to ensure consistency in quality of welds at Ferrara.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED:

• Hand and hand power tools, tape measure, level, welding machines, fixtures, overhead cranes.

POSITION EXPECTATIONS:

SAFETY:

Follow Ferrara General Health & Safety Rules, ensure safe operating conditions within area of responsibility, and notify coworkers and supervisors of hazardous acts and conditions. Proper use of PPE; use only defect-free equipment. Promote safety in department. Use proper lifting techniques and overhead hoist when needed. Maintain clean and safe working environment in line with 5-S Philosophy. Participate in hazardous communication training and safety meetings.

QUALITY:

Responsible for the quality of work. This requires defect-free work and understanding of the requirements of the company's quality system as it pertain to job duties and responsibilities. Must be able to check work to ensure conformance to process control instructions, specifications, and quality standards. Identify and segregate non-conforming product. Identify the need for and assist in initiating and implementing corrective and preventive actions when appropriate. Follow the 3 Don'ts: 1) Don't accept poor quality; 2) Don't make poor quality; 3) Don't pass poor quality.

FLEXIBILITY:

Able and willing to work in other areas as needed. Must be flexible in taking lunch and breaks when workflow requires. Willing to work additional hours as necessary.

INITIATIVE:

Actively participate in continuous improvement of products and processes to better serve customers and improve the overall profitability of Ferrara. Actively seek out work in other areas when current assignment is complete. Make suggestions for improving product quality, processes, safety, and company profitability. Submit these implemented improvements utilizing our Minor Kaizen process.

TEAMWORK:

Positive working attitude toward other employees; be a team player. Work with others constructively and abide by company policies and procedures. Working together as a team for continuous improvement is vital to ensure the future of Ferrara and its employees. Teamwork will be required to be effective in daily production assignments as well as special improvement projects.

Lean:

To daily utilize your skills and experience to eliminate waste and continually improve your process. Additionally, develop your knowledge of Lean through supporting your area in maintaining the highest levels of 5S; utilizing visual management tools that highlight problems and solve those problems for true root cause; participate and support kaizen events; and participating in the Lean