Welder III

Wabtec; Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 82,656,000 - 90,922,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement plan

Annual bonus (eligible)

Job summary

Wabtec is seeking a Welder III in Kansas City, MO to perform complex welding on locomotive components and support remanufacturing operations. You will interpret welding procedures, read blueprints, and ensure high-quality welds that meet customer specs.

The role requires leadership in safety, quality, and efficiency, with opportunities to mentor others. The position works Mon-Thu from 5:00am to 3:30pm with potential overtime on Fridays and Saturdays.

Qualifications

• Requires AA degree or equivalent from a trade school with welding training.
• Minimum five (5) years welding experience for external candidates.
• Minimum two (2) years welding experience for internal candidates who completed Level I and II training.
• Must complete all Welder I and Welder II training and qualification requirements.
• Ability to read and understand welding procedures and drawings in English.

Responsibilities

• Perform advanced welding on large/complex components per WPS and specs.
• Plan welding sequences, control heat, current, voltage, and feed.
• Perform weld build-up repairs and high-pressure welding.
• Inspect welds, identify defects, and take corrective action.
• Train and mentor less experienced welders and support cross-training.

Skills

MIG welding

TIG welding

Stick welding

Flux-Cored welding

Blueprint reading

Reading WPS

Education

Associate Degree in Welding

Tools

Grinders

Cutting torches

Plasma cutters

Calipers

Micrometers

Job description

Who will you be working with:

You will work closely with production employees, welders, supervisors, quality, engineering, safety, maintenance, and other production support teams. The Welder III serves as a technical resource within the production environment, supporting welding operations, complex repairs, training efforts, and continuous improvement initiatives while partnering closely with leadership to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality operations.

How will you make a difference:

The Welder III is a highly skilled trades position responsible for performing complex welding operations, weld build-up repairs, and critical welding applications associated with the remanufacturing and repair of locomotive components. This role requires advanced knowledge of multiple welding processes, the ability to interpret technical drawings and welding procedures, and expertise in producing high-quality welds that meet company and customer specifications.

The Welder III plays a key role in supporting safety, quality, productivity, and operational excellence by performing advanced welding tasks, identifying and correcting weld defects, supporting less experienced welders, and contributing to efficient production processes. This position helps ensure components are repaired and manufactured to the highest standards while supporting business objectives and customer expectations.

Monday - Thursday 5:00am - 3:30pm. This position might require flexibility to work overtime on Fridays and Saturdays.

4800 Deramus Ave, Kansas City, MO 64120

What do we want to know about you?

• Preferred Associate Degree (A.A.) or equivalent from a trade school with technical training in welding.
• Minimum five (5) years of welding experience for external candidates.
• Minimum two (2) years of welding experience for internal candidates who have successfully completed Level I and Level II Wabtec welding training.
• Must complete all local Welder I and Welder II training and qualification requirements.
• Ability to effectively communicate, read, and understand welding procedures, technical drawings, work instructions, and business communications in English.
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision while maintaining safety, quality, and productivity expectations.
• undefined

Knowledge and Skills

• Advanced knowledge of MIG, TIG, Stick, Flux-Core, and other applicable welding processes.Ability to read and interpret blueprints, schematics, welding symbols, and Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS).
• Strong understanding of metal properties and the effects of heat and welding processes on materials.
• Proficiency with grinders, cutting torches, plasma cutters, and other fabrication tools.
• Strong measurement and precision skills, including the use of calipers, micrometers, and other measuring devices.
• Ability to identify weld defects such as cracks, porosity, undercut, lack of fusion, inclusions, and burn-through.Ability to pass applicable welder qualification tests in accordance with AWS D15.1 requirements.
• Ability to train, coach, and provide technical guidance to less experienced welders.
• Willingness to cross-train and support other production areas as business needs require.

What will your typical day look like?

• Perform advanced welding operations on large and complex components using approved welding procedures and specifications.
• Plan welding sequences and regulate heat, feed, current, voltage, electrodes, and other welding parameters to achieve proper penetration, fusion, and weld quality.
• Perform weld build-up repairs, high-pressure welding, code welding, and other critical welding applications requiring a high degree of skill and precision.
• Read and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, welding symbols, and work instructions to ensure compliance with specifications and tolerances.
• Align, fit, and weld components while minimizing distortion and maintaining dimensional accuracy.
• Perform air carbon arc gouging to remove defective welds and prepare materials for repair and rework.
• Inspect completed welds and identify defects requiring corrective action.
• Support production goals by maintaining quality standards, productivity expectations, and workflow requirements.
• Assist in training, mentoring, and providing technical guidance to lower-level welders.
• Follow all safety procedures, PPE requirements, and quality standards while maintaining a clean and organized work area.
• Participate in cross-training activities and support operational needs across production areas when required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What about the physical demand of the job:

Physical Demands: (The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)

• Regularly lift, move, carry, push, and/or pull materials, components, and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Walk throughout the production facility and remain on your feet for extended periods, including the duration of a full shift.
• Perform welding, grinding, fitting, and fabrication activities in a manufacturing environment.
• Frequently bend, kneel, twist, reach, climb, crouch, and work in confined or difficult-to-access areas.
• Use hand tools, welding equipment, measuring instruments, and material handling equipment as required.
• Maintain the visual acuity necessary to inspect weld quality, read technical drawings, identify defects, and safely perform welding activities.
• Maintain regular on-site attendance and presence during scheduled shifts to support production operations and business needs.

Work Environment: (The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.)

• Work is performed in shop environment that is non-temperature-controlled production environment, with exposure to varying temperatures, noise and other environmental factors.

Our job titles may span more than one career level. The salary rate for this role is currently $30.50. The actual salary offered to a candidate may be influenced by a variety of factors, such as: training, transferable skills, work experience, education, business needs, market demands and work location. The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future. More information on offered benefits, which include health, welfare, and retirement, are available at mywabtecbenefits.com. Other benefit offerings for this role may include annual bonus, if eligible.

What could you accomplish in a place that puts People First?

At Wabtec, it’s not just about a job - it’s about the impact you make. When our people come together, we’re Expanding the Possible by continuously improving what we do and how we do it - for our clients and each other.

If you’re ready to revolutionize how the world moves for future generations, Wabtec is the place for you.

Who are we?

Wabtec is a leading global provider of equipment, systems, digital solutions, and value-added services for the freight and transit rail sectors. Drawing on more than 150 years of experience, we are leading the way in safety, efficiency, reliability, innovation, and productivity. Whether it’s freight, transit, ports, logistics, mining, industrial, or marine, our expertise, technologies, and people together – are accelerating the future of transportation. With roots that date back to George Westinghouse, Thomas Edison, and Louis Faiveley, Wabtec has always built technologies and implemented solutions for a variety of sectors that are critical to meeting the needs of customers and governments alike.

Culture powers us and the possibilities.

We believe the best ideas come from a mix of experiences and backgrounds. At Wabtec, we strive every day to create a place where everyone belongs. We’re building a culture where leadership, inclusion and your unique perspective fuel progress.

We’re proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome talent of all backgrounds, experiences, and identities, including race, gender, age, disability, veteran status and more.

Need accommodation? Just let us know - we’ve got you.