Welder Fabricator, Sanitary A

California Dairies•Pixley, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Stainless-Steel Welder/Fabricator performs stainless steel welding, fabrication, installation, modification, and repair work throughout an active dairy and food-processing facility. The role supports plant reliability by maintaining sanitary piping, process equipment, platforms, guards, structural components, and other stainless-steel systems. It requires extensive TIG/GTAW welding experience, sanitary fabrication practices, pipe fitting, layout, and field installation. Work must meet facility safety, quality, food-safety, and workmanship standards. The position works across production areas, maintenance shops, fabrication and utility areas, rooftops, platforms, and other industrial environments, indoors or outdoors. Conditions may include temperatures from approximately 34°F to 100°F or greater and exposure to industrial materials and hazards such as chemicals, steam, hot surfaces, pressurized systems, dust, powder, fumes, and welding sparks. The work includes frequent standing, walking, bending, kneeling, climbing, overhead reaching, and precision use of tools and welding equipment. Lifting up to 60 pounds frequently and 80 pounds occasionally is specified. A high school diploma or GED is required. The job requires at least eight years of stainless steel TIG welding and fabrication experience in food processing, or a recognized welding certification plus at least five years of stainless steel TIG welding and fabrication experience. A minimum of five years of experience in a production setting involving sanitary piping is also listed. Industrial manufacturing experience is preferred; food, beverage, or dairy manufacturing experience is strongly preferred. The role requires English proficiency, a valid California driver’s license, and the ability to obtain and maintain a forklift license and respirator medical clearance and certification. Current TIG/GTAW and/or sanitary stainless welding certification is preferred; maintaining TIG/GTAW welding certifications is stated to maintain top pay status.

Requirements

High school diploma or General Education Degree (GED).
Minimum eight years of stainless steel TIG welding and fabrication experience in food processing, or a recognized welding certification plus a minimum five years of stainless steel TIG welding and fabrication experience.
Minimum five years of experience in a production setting involving sanitary piping.
Strong TIG/GTAW stainless steel welding skills and experience welding stainless steel pipe and tubing.
Ability to perform accurate layout, measurement, cutting, and fit-up.
Ability to read fabrication drawings, blueprints, and P&IDs.
Knowledge of stainless steel preparation, purging, welding, grinding, and finishing techniques.
Ability to safely operate grinders, band saws, chop saws, drills, plasma cutters, and other fabrication equipment.
Ability to troubleshoot fabrication and piping problems in the field.
Ability to work safely and follow safety procedures, including use of safety equipment.
English proficiency for written and spoken communication.
Must possess and maintain a valid California driver’s license.
Must obtain and maintain a forklift license.
Must obtain medical clearance to use a respirator and maintain certification.
Must maintain safety training provided by California Dairies, Inc.
Ability to perform the essential duties and maintain the physical capabilities described, including precision welding, climbing, working at heights, and lifting specified loads.

Nice To Haves

Industrial manufacturing experience.
Food, beverage, or dairy manufacturing experience; dairy and food-processing experience is strongly preferred.
Experience with sanitary/process piping.
Experience with 304 and 316 stainless steel.
Experience with sanitary tubing and fittings.
Experience with orbital welding.
Experience with process piping, valves, pumps, tanks, and production equipment.
Familiarity with sanitary welding standards and food-processing requirements.
Current TIG/GTAW and/or sanitary stainless welding certification.

Responsibilities

Perform TIG/GTAW welding on stainless steel piping, tubing, plate, and structural components.
Fabricate and install sanitary stainless-steel piping and process systems, including high-quality sanitary welds suitable for food and dairy processing environments.
Cut, fit, tack, weld, grind, polish, and finish stainless steel components.
Fabricate equipment supports, platforms, brackets, guards, handrails, piping supports, and other plant components.
Repair cracked, damaged, leaking, or failed stainless steel equipment and piping.
Perform pipe fitting, measurements, offsets, layout, and field fabrication.
Read and interpret drawings, blueprints, sketches, P&IDs, and fabrication specifications.
Purge stainless steel piping when required; maintain proper fit-up, alignment, penetration, weld appearance, and finishing while minimizing distortion and heat damage.
Assist with equipment installations, modifications, shutdown projects, and plant improvement projects.
Identify potential equipment or piping problems and communicate concerns before failures occur; participate in root-cause identification for recurring failures.
Work with maintenance mechanics, supervisors, engineering, operations, sanitation, and contractors.
Maintain welding machines, grinders, saws, purge equipment, fabrication tools, and related equipment; keep the welding and fabrication work area organized and clean.
Account for and communicate material and spare-part usage.
Follow plant LOTO, hot-work, confined-space, fall-protection, PPE, and other safety requirements, as well as GMP, food-safety, sanitation, contamination-control, SQF, and QA policies and procedures.
Complete assigned work orders and accurately document completed work; maintain high workmanship standards and avoid repeat repairs or callbacks.
Support emergency repairs and production breakdowns when needed.
Maintain regular full-time attendance, complete update trainings and technical education, contribute to a positive and harmonious work environment, and use initiative and judgment in the company's best interests.
Perform other duties as assigned.