A welder job description is more useful when it tells applicants what the work actually involves. “Must be certified” or “must know MIG and TIG” may not explain which process, material, position, product, or qualification test matters for the role.
For a manufacturing employer, define the work before listing credentials. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says welders may read blueprints and specifications, measure parts, inspect materials, weld to specifications, monitor the process, and maintain equipment. Which duties belong in your posting depends on the product, production method, and worksite.
Start with the welding work you need done
Identify the assemblies or products the employee will work on, the base materials, the welding process or processes, and the work positions that matter. State whether the role is production welding, fabrication, repair, or a combination. If a written welding procedure or customer/code requirement applies, name the applicable qualification or test path rather than relying on a broad credential label.
The American Welding Society describes its Certified Welder program as a performance-based test against a specific welding procedure and code requirement. Requirements vary with the process, base material, position, and governing code. That is why “AWS certified” alone may not tell an applicant whether a qualification matches the work. Confirm the exact test and qualification with the responsible technical leader before putting it in the posting.
Welder job description template
Use this as a starting point and replace every bracketed instruction with details confirmed by the hiring manager:
Job title: [Welder / Fabricator-Welder / Production Welder]
Work location and schedule: [Facility or jobsite], [shift and regular schedule], [overtime or travel only if applicable]
Role summary: [Company or facility] is hiring a [permanent role title] to join [team or department]. The person in this role will [describe the actual product, assembly, or repair work] using [processes] on [materials] to meet [drawing, procedure, quality, or customer requirements].
Primary responsibilities
- Read and work from [blueprints, work instructions, drawings, or welding procedure specifications actually used].
- Prepare, position, fit, and join [parts/materials] using [specific welding processes and positions].
- Check dimensions, fit-up, and completed work against [defined acceptance criteria or inspection process].
- Record [production, inspection, or traceability information required for this role].
- Maintain assigned equipment and the work area within the employee’s training and authority; report defects or process issues to [team lead or supervisor].
- Follow site procedures and use protective equipment required for the work and hazards identified at the facility.
Required qualifications
- Demonstrated ability to perform [process] on [base material] in [position or range] to [applicable specification, code, or test requirement].
- Experience with [product type, fabrication method, or production environment] when it is essential on day one.
- Ability to [read drawings, measure parts, complete records, or perform other job-specific tasks] as required by this role.
- [Exact credential, license, or employer qualification], only if the role or governing requirement actually requires it.
Preferred qualifications
- [Additional process, material, equipment, inspection, or industry experience that would help but is not required.]
Example of a more useful qualification: Instead of “AWS-certified welder with MIG/TIG experience,” specify the actual requirement: “Complete a [process] weld test on [base material and thickness] in [position] to [applicable WPS, code, and acceptance criteria].” Add who provides the test and when it must be completed. Use this wording only after the responsible technical lead confirms those details.
Work environment and physical requirements
- Describe the actual setting: [indoor/outdoor, temperature, noise, confined-space work if applicable, and time at a workstation].
- List only the physical activities and equipment handling essential to this job, with the actual frequency and conditions: [specific task].
Keep requirements tied to the real job
Before publishing, ask the supervisor to separate day-one requirements from skills the employer can train. If certification or a qualification test is needed, identify the process, base material, position, code or procedure, and whether the employer provides or pays for the test. Do not treat one certification as proof of qualification for every welding process or role.
Be equally specific about duties and evaluation. If the welder will read drawings, maintain traceability records, inspect completed work, or perform fit-up, state which tasks are part of the job. If another team owns inspection or procedure approval, do not imply that the welder has authority they will not have.
Describe the real worksite and schedule. OSHA’s general-industry welding standard addresses protection from welding, cutting, and brazing hazards, and its requirements depend on the work and conditions. A job description can accurately explain the setting and the employee’s assigned responsibilities; it should not replace the employer’s hazard assessment, training, or safety program.
Review the posting before it goes live
Have the production or engineering lead verify the processes, materials, positions, procedures, and quality criteria. Have HR confirm the credential language, schedule, work location, and essential requirements. If a specific test is used, verify the qualification against the applicable procedure and code instead of copying a generic list from another posting.
A clear posting gives qualified applicants a better way to assess fit and gives the hiring team a more consistent basis for screening. It also reduces avoidable mismatches between the work described, the test administered, and the skills the role actually needs.
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Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers.
- American Welding Society, Certified Welder Program.
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 29 CFR 1910.252 — General requirements for welding, cutting, and brazing.
