Welding Repair Operator

Minth North America, Inc.; Gadsden (AL); On-site; USD 26,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation package

Job summary

Minth North America, Inc. in Gadsden, AL is seeking a Welding Repair Operator for the Sheet Metal Welding Workshop of the Production Department. You will repair weld defects, determine repair plans and verify weld quality on energy storage cabinets, including MAG/TIG welding.

You will inspect, grind, re-weld, and finish welds to match surrounding contours, maintain records in MES, and ensure safe hot-work practices and PPE compliance on the manufacturing floor.

Qualifications

• Welding repair experience preferred.
• welding repairs and re-welding capability required.
• Ability to identify weld defects and assess reparability.
• Proficient with grinding tools and inspection.
• Ability to read welding drawings and symbols (AWS D1.1 / GB/T 985).
• Holder of a welder's operation certificate.
• Authorized to work in the United States.

Responsibilities

• Receive defect reports and confirm defect type, location and severity.
• Identify common weld defects and judge reparability; report unrepairable scrap.
• Determine repair plan including grinding range and welding method; confirm with process engineer.
• Grind out defects and shape groove for good fusion; control depth.
• Re-weld per repair welding procedure using MAG/TIG.
• Grind/trim repaired welds to match surrounding welds and remove slag.
• Correct welding deformation to restore dimensional accuracy.
• Repair surface appearance defects and ensure proper finishing for painting.
• Self-inspect and support re-inspection; enter repair data into MES.

Skills

Welding repair experience

Read welding drawings

Grinding tools proficiency

Independently re-weld

Identify weld defects

Welder's certificate

Legally authorized to work in the US

Education

Technical/vocational welding diploma

Tools

Welding MAG/TIG equipment

Angle grinders

Job description

Identifies, removes and repairs weld defects on energy storage cabinets, the last line of defense before product leaves the workshop.

Minth North America, Inc., Gadsden, AL

Salary Range: $19.00 – $24.00 per hour

Minth is looking for a Welding Repair Operator to join the Sheet Metal Welding Workshop of the Production Department. In this position, you will repair weld defects found during and after the welding process, including defect identification, grinding and removal, re-welding, surface shaping and quality verification after repair.

This position is the last line of defense for the welding quality of energy storage cabinets. It directly affects structural strength, sealing and appearance, and is key to ensuring unqualified welds do not leave the workshop.

Key Responsibilities

• Receive weld defect reports from quality inspectors and welding operators and confirm the type, location and severity of each defect.
• Identify common weld defects (porosity, undercut, incomplete fusion, incomplete penetration, cracks, excessive spatter, excessive reinforcement, welding deformation) and judge whether they are repairable; report unrepairable scrap promptly.
• Determine the repair plan, including grinding range, re-welding method, welding parameters and welding material, and confirm major defects (cracks, large-scale incomplete fusion) with the process engineer before repair.
• Grind out weld defects with angle grinders, grinding heads and milling cutters, forming a groove shape that supports good fusion (no sharp corners or dead angles) and controlling depth to avoid insufficient plate thickness.
• Confirm after grinding that the defect is completely removed and no cracks remain.
• Re-weld per the repair welding procedure (RWP) using manual MAG/TIG welding, strictly following welding parameters, to achieve good weld forming and fusion with the base material.
• Grind and trim repaired welds so reinforcement, width and appearance match surrounding welds, remove slag and spatter, and check for new defects.
• Correct welding deformation (flame or mechanical correction) to restore dimensional accuracy.
• Repair surface appearance defects (scratches, dents, impressions), smooth weld transition areas to meet painting/coating roughness requirements, and repair welding issues on doors, hinges and locks so the cabinet meets customer acceptance standards.
• Self-inspect after repair (visual weld appearance, dimensions) and support quality inspectors with re-inspection.
• Complete repair record forms (defect type, location, repair method, number of repairs, re-inspection result) and enter repair data into the MES for traceability.
• Regularly summarize repair data and assist process engineers with defect cause analysis and improvement measures.
• Perform daily maintenance of manual welders, angle grinders and grinding tools, and replace consumables (grinding discs, grinding heads, contact tips, protection nozzles).
• Follow hot work safety regulations, wear required welding PPE, ensure the fume collection system is running, and maintain 5S at the workstation.

Requirements

• Weld repair experience is preferred.
• Ability to independently complete re-welding of various welds.
• Ability to accurately identify weld defects and assess their reparability.
• Proficiency with grinding tools such as angle grinders and grinding heads.
• Ability to read welding drawings and welding symbols (AWS D1.1 / GB/T 985).
• Welder's operation certificate.
• Legally authorized to work in the country of the work location.

MINIMUM EDUCATION / FIELD OF STUDY

• Technical/vocational school diploma or above; majors in welding technology, mechanical manufacturing or related fields preferred.

KEY TO BEING SUCCESSFUL IN THIS ROLE

• Sound judgment on what can be repaired and when to elevate to a process engineer.
• Attention to detail and a commitment to repair quality and traceability.
• Strict adherence to hot work and PPE requirements.
• Good collaboration with quality inspectors, welders and process engineers.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

• Work is performed on the manufacturing floor in a welding and grinding environment, requiring standing, walking and sustained use of hand tools.
• Required PPE includes welding helmet, gloves, protective clothing and safety shoes.
• Exposure to welding fume, grinding dust, heat and noise; fume collection systems must be operating and ventilation maintained.
• Ability to read welding drawings and inspect welds visually.
• Ability to perform the essential functions of this position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

WHY WORK FOR MINTH?

• Minth Group is a global leader in automotive trim and structural components, with 78 plants worldwide and a North American regional headquarters in Wixom, Michigan.
• International development platform – Be part of a fast-growing global company.
• Dynamic and efficient team – Join a team that is growing and values ownership and results.
• All-round personal improvement – Grow your technical and professional expertise.
• Diversified working atmosphere – A multicultural, multinational workplace where different backgrounds and perspectives are valued.
• Competitive compensation package.

Minth North America, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation and gender identity), national origin, age (40 and over), disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, provincial or local law. Minth provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities, for pregnancy, childbirth or related conditions, and for sincerely held religious beliefs, in the application process and in performing the essential functions of the job. To request an accommodation, please contact Human Resources.