Welder III (Senior)

Progressive Recovery, Inc.; Dupo (IL); On-site; USD 44,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Progressive Recovery, Inc. is seeking a Senior Welder for our on-site shop in Illinois. The role involves multi-process welding (MIG, TIG, FCAW) on carbon steel, stainless, and alloys, following blueprints and weld symbols.

You will maintain WPQs and radiographic quality certifications on pipe, and mentor less experienced welders on a regular basis. The Senior Welder will coordinate with production and engineering to ensure smooth handoffs between shifts, uphold safety standards, and drive

Qualifications

• 5 years of hands-on welding experience in a manufacturing, fabrication, or industrial environment.
• Multi-process welding experience (MIG, TIG, FCAW) on steels and alloys.
• Current WPQs, including radiographic (X-ray) quality on pipe, or ability to obtain on onboarding.
• Experience building complex equipment from blueprints and specs.
• AWS certification or equivalent preferred or required.

Responsibilities

• Perform MIG, TIG, and FCAW welding per blueprints, weld symbols, and work orders.
• Maintain WPQs including radiographic quality certifications on pipe.
• Set up and operate welding machines and related fabrication equipment.
• Read and interpret blueprints and job specs; flag discrepancies to Engineering.
• Lead root-cause corrective actions on code-welding non-conformances.

Skills

MIG welding

TIG welding

FCAW welding

Blueprint reading

Leadership

Quality improvement

Education

High school diploma or GED

Welding certificate

AWS certification

Tools

Welding machines

Plasma cutter

Grinders

Band saws

Job description

Description

Reports To: Welding Supervisor

Shift: 1st Shift, 6:00 AM — 2:30 PM, or 2nd Shift, 3:00 PM — 11:30 PM ( $2/hr shift differential), Monday through Friday (overtime and occasional weekends as required by production needs).

Compensation: $32.00 — $40.00 per hour, based on experience and certifications

The Senior Welder is a multi-process, code-quality welder who builds complex equipment independently, holds radiographic (X-ray) quality Welder Performance Qualifications, and drives quality and process improvement on the floor. As the top welding rank, this role also ensures a smooth handoff of in-progress jobs, equipment status, and priorities to the next shift, and mentors less experienced welders. Senior Welders are eligible for our Welding Leader mentor designation, which carries an additional pay premium for formally training and coaching other welders.

Key Responsibilities & Functions

• Perform MIG (GMAW), TIG (GTAW), and/or flux-core (FCAW) welding on carbon steel, stainless steel, and/or other alloy components per blueprints, weld symbols, and work orders.
• Maintain current Welder Performance Qualifications (WPQs), including radiographic (X-ray) quality certifications on pipe.
• Set up, adjust, and operate welding machines, plasma cutters, and related fabrication equipment, including grinders, cutting torches, band saws, and presses.
• Read and interpret complex blueprints, engineering drawings, AWS weld symbols, and job specifications; flag discrepancies to Engineering.
• Build complex shop equipment and advanced structural fabrications independently, with supervisor sign-off.
• Inspect completed welds for defects such as porosity, undercut, cracking, and warping; serve as a final-inspection point of contact for your work cell.
• Fabricate, repair, and modify production equipment, tooling, conveyors, machine guarding, and facility structures as assigned.
• Select appropriate filler metals, shielding gases, and welding parameters based WPS specification, on material type, and thickness across multiple processes.
• Lead root-cause corrective action on code-welding non-conformances and support qualification of new Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS/PQR).
• Coordinate with Production, Maintenance, Quality, and Engineering teams to support project timelines and resolve fabrication issues.
• Provide clear end-of-shift handoff to the next shift’s Welder(s) covering in-progress jobs, equipment status, material needs, and daily priorities.
• Mentor and formally train less experienced (Welder I and Welder II) team members; may pursue the shop’s Welding Leader mentor designation.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work.
• Support new product introduction, prototype builds, and continuous improvement initiatives that enhance quality, safety, and throughput.

Requirements

Experience

• 5 years of hands-on welding experience in a manufacturing, fabrication, or industrial maintenance environment.
• Demonstrated multi-process experience (MIG, TIG, and/or flux-core) on steel, stainless steel, and/or other alloys.
• Current Welder Performance Qualifications, including radiographic (X-ray) quality certification on pipe, or ability to obtain during onboarding.
• Experience building complex equipment or structures independently from blueprints and specifications.
• AWS certification or equivalent welding certification required or strongly preferred.
• Prior experience mentoring, training, or leading other welders preferred.

Technical Skills

• Advanced proficiency across MIG (GMAW), TIG (GTAW), and/or Flux-Core (FCAW) welding processes.
• Ability to weld carbon steel, stainless steel, and/or other alloys in all positions, including code/X-ray quality work.
• Advanced blueprint and isometric drawing interpretation; able to identify and flag design/fabrication discrepancies.
• Working knowledge of the ASME Section IX WPS/PQR relationship and code-welding requirements.
• Skilled in root-cause troubleshooting of weld discontinuities and corrective action processes.
• Proficient with hand and power tools, precision measuring tools, and fabrication equipment.

Leadership & Professional Skills

• Demonstrated ability to mentor, train, and coach less experienced welders.
• Strong troubleshooting, problem-solving, and quality-ownership mindset.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize, and manage cross-shift continuity.
• Strong communication skills with supervisors, engineering, quality, and cross-shift teams.
• Commitment to safety, continuous improvement, and reliable attendance.

Education

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Completion of a welding certificate or training program (technical school, apprenticeship, or equivalent) preferred.
• AWS certification or equivalent industry credential strongly preferred.
• Equivalent combination of education and hands-on welding experience will be considered.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work safely in an industrial manufacturing environment.
• Ability to stand, bend, kneel, and work in awkward positions for extended periods.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally.
• Ability to work with exposure to heat, sparks, fumes, bright arc flash/light, and noise.
• Ability to wear required PPE, including welding helmet, gloves, safety-toe boots, and protective clothing, for extended periods.
• Ability to work in varying environmental conditions, including heat, cold, and around energized production equipment.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.