Entry-Level Welder

Job Description

This role offers an excellent entry point into welding and fabrication, where you support production by performing basic welding, cutting, fitting, and assembly tasks under supervision. You work from blueprints and work orders, use a variety of welding processes, and help fabricate parts and structures from steel and other metals in a busy job shop environment.

Responsibilities

• Read and interpret blueprints, work orders, and tape measurements to understand job specifications and fabrication requirements.

• Set up welding equipment by turning on the welding machine, connecting cables correctly, and adjusting machine settings to achieve proper weld penetration and appearance with guidance as needed.

• Operate gas cutting equipment by turning regulator valves, activating gas flow, lighting the torch, and adjusting gas mixture and pressure to obtain the desired flame for cutting.

• Manually guide the welding electrode or gun along the weld line, maintaining appropriate arc length and travel speed to join edges of workpieces under supervision.

• Position flat, cylindrical, or irregular parts using bolts, clamps, or tack welds to secure components in place prior to welding.

• Perform MIG welding on steel, including stainless and carbon steel, and assist with other processes such as flux core, TIG, stick, and aluminum welding as assigned.

Essential Skills

• Ability to read and interpret blueprints and work orders.

• Ability to accurately read and use a tape measure.

• Basic MIG welding skills, including setting up and operating a MIG welder.

• Basic understanding of welding processes such as MIG, flux core, TIG, stick, and aluminum welding.

• Fundamental fitting and fabrication skills for structures, assemblies, and sheet metal.

• Basic grinding and metal finishing skills.

• Willingness to work in an industrial job shop environment around galvanized and mild steel.

• Either a relevant welding certification or at least 6 months of welding experience.

Why Work Here?

You join a union environment immediately, gaining access to strong benefits and a structured path for advancement. You receive scheduled pay raises, good medical benefits, and the opportunity to grow into more advanced welding or machine operator roles. The experience you gain here is highly transferable and can support future certifications and long-term career development in the welding and fabrication field.

Work Environment

This position is based in a traditional industrial job shop with two primary shifts: 1st shift from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 2nd shift from 2:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The environment can be hot, dirty, and not optimally lit at times, with regular exposure to galvanized steel and other metals. You work around industrial equipment, welding machines, cutting torches, grinders, and fabrication tools, and you follow safety practices appropriate for a busy production setting.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Addison, IL.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $18.75 - $20.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision

• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital

• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available

• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)

• Short and long-term disability

• Health Spending Account (HSA)

• Transportation benefits

• Employee Assistance Program

• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Addison,IL.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 16, 2026.

About Aerotek

We know that finding work is hard, and finding meaningful work is harder. Aerotek connects 180,000+ light industrial and skilled trades workers with 14,000+ employers each year, helping our workers navigate an evolving labor market and find jobs that meets their goals, skills and interests. Since 1983, we have provided a variety of career opportunities across North American industry – from short-term assignments at Fortune 500 companies where you can build your skills, to long-term opportunities where you can play a vital role solving for companies’ construction, manufacturing and maintenance challenges. Our 1,500+ experienced recruiters across 250+ offices work relentlessly to put our workforce in a position to thrive. Let us rise to meet your challenges and put our people-are everything spirit to the test as your career continues to grow.

Aerotek offers weekly pay, employee benefits including medical, dental & vision, life insurance, health advocacy and employee assistance programs, a 401(k) plan, and employee discounts.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.