What You'll Do

  • Turn and press knobs and buttons or enter operating instructions into computers to adjust and start welding machines.
  • Set up, operate, or tend welding machines that join or bond components to fabricate metal products or assemblies.
  • Load or feed workpieces into welding machines to join or bond components.
  • Give directions to other workers regarding machine set-up and use.
  • Correct problems by adjusting controls or by stopping machines and opening holding devices.
  • Inspect, measure, or test completed metal workpieces to ensure conformance to specifications, using measuring and testing devices.
  • Record operational information on specified production reports.
  • Start, monitor, and adjust robotic welding production lines.
  • Read blueprints, work orders, or production schedules to determine product or job instructions or specifications.
  • Assemble, align, and clamp workpieces into holding fixtures to bond, heat-treat, or solder fabricated metal components.

Essential Skills

Operations Monitoring 3.38/5
Operation and Control 3.25/5
Reading Comprehension 3.0/5
Active Listening 3.0/5
Speaking 3.0/5
Critical Thinking 3.0/5
Monitoring 3.0/5
Complex Problem Solving 3.0/5
Judgment and Decision Making 2.75/5
Active Learning 2.62/5
Coordination 2.62/5
Time Management 2.62/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to sense whether the day to day rhythm and focus of this path line up with what energizes you.

Top passions

  • Maker: Building and fixing energizes you. You like tangible results and practical tools.
  • Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.
  • Analyst: Investigating problems and finding patterns keeps you engaged.

Common styles

Attention to Detail, Dependability, Integrity, Self-Control, Cooperation

Want a personal read on fit. Take the free assessment and see your exact compatibility with this career and many related roles.

Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Near Vision 3.75/5
Control Precision 3.62/5
Visualization 3.25/5
Arm-Hand Steadiness 3.25/5
Manual Dexterity 3.25/5
Problem Sensitivity 3.12/5
Information Ordering 3.12/5
Selective Attention 3.12/5

Technologies & Tools

Email software Enterprise resource planning ERP software Linux Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft operating system Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Windows Microsoft Word SAP software Spreadsheet software Tool center point TCP setting software Word processing software

Work Environment & Style

Common Styles for This Career

  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 4.17/5)
  • Dependability (High importance: 3.94/5)
  • Integrity (High importance: 3.78/5)
  • Self-Control (High importance: 3.71/5)
  • Cooperation (High importance: 3.64/5)

Want to see how YOUR work style matches this career?

Take Free 15-Min Assessment →

How to Become One

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful but is usually not required. Training is often provided on the job.

Similar Careers to Explore

Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers

100.0% similar profile

Brickmasons and Blockmasons

99.9% similar profile

Pile Driver Operators

99.9% similar profile

Continuous Mining Machine Operators

99.9% similar profile

Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers

99.9% similar profile

Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers

99.9% similar profile

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

99.9% similar profile

Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

99.9% similar profile

Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Aluminum Welder Arc and Gas Welder Arc Welding Machine Operator Billet Assembler Braze Operator Brazing Machine Operator Brazing Machine Setter Brazing Machine Setter Operator Brazing Machine Setup Operator Brazing Machine Tender Certified Welder Controlled Atmospheric Furnace Brazer Electron Beam Machine Welder Setter Electron Beam Welder Setter Electron Beam Welding Machine Operator Electroslag Welding Machine Operator Explosion Welder Fabricator Field Operator Field Technician (Field Tech) Finishing Technician (Finishing Tech) Friction Welding Machine Operator Furnace Brazer Gas Welding Machine Operator Induction Brazer Induction Heating Equipment Setter Industrial Welder Laser Beam Machine Operator Laser Operator Machine Burner Machine Operator Machine Welder Manufacturing Associate Manufacturing Operator Mig Welder Mill Operator Oxygraph Operator Racking Machine Operator Racking Technician (Racking Tech) Reflow Operator Reserve Tube Welder Resistance Machine Welder Setter Resistance Welding Machine Operator Robotic Weld Operator Robotic Weld Technician (Robotic Weld Tech) Robotic Welder Robotic Welding Operator Rod Welder SMT Operator (Surface Mount Technology Operator) Solder Deposit Operator Soldering Machine Operator Soldering Machine Setter Soldering Machine Setup Operator Soldering Machine Tender Soldering Technician (Soldering Tech) Spot Welder Thermit Welding Machine Operator Travograph Operator Type Soldering Machine Tender Ultrasonic Welding Machine Operator Wave Soldering Machine Operator Weld Operator Weld Technician (Weld Tech) Welding Machine Operator Welding Machine Setter Welding Machine Tender Welding Operator Welding Pantograph Machine Operator Welding Pantograph Operator Welding Technician (Welding Tech)