Welder Fabricator, Sanitary A

California Dairies, Inc.•Pixley, CA

4d•$45 - $49•Onsite

About The Position

California Dairies, Inc. (CDI) is a farmer-owned cooperative that produces dairy products and operates a Tipton facility manufacturing milk powder, butter, nutritional powders, and processed fluids. The Stainless-Steel Welder/Fabricator performs high-quality stainless steel welding, fabrication, installation, modification, and repair throughout the facility, supporting plant reliability and maintaining sanitary piping, process equipment, platforms, guards, structural components, and other stainless-steel systems. Work must meet facility safety, quality, food-safety, and workmanship standards. The role requires extensive TIG welding of stainless steel, sanitary fabrication practices, pipe fitting, layout, and field installation. The position works throughout an active dairy and food-processing manufacturing facility, including production areas, maintenance shops, fabrication and utility areas, rooftops, and platforms, indoors and outdoors. Conditions may include temperatures from approximately 34°F to 100°F or greater, hazardous materials and chemicals, steam, hot surfaces, pressurized systems, dust, powder, fumes, and welding sparks or fumes. The position also involves work at heights and in confined, restricted, or difficult-to-access areas when required. CDI describes its employee rewards package as including competitive pay and incentive programs, medical, dental, and vision benefits, paid time off, sick days, holidays, retirement plans, and programs supporting personal well-being and professional growth. The job posting states that the pay range is listed below, but does not provide a range in the supplied text.

Requirements

At least 8 years of stainless steel TIG welding and fabrication experience in food processing, or a recognized welding certification and at least 5 years of stainless steel TIG welding and fabrication experience.
At least 5 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.
High school diploma or GED.
Ability to work safely and efficiently, follow safety procedures, and use required safety equipment.
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.
English proficiency for written and spoken communication.
Ability to obtain and maintain a forklift license, medical clearance and certification to use a respirator, and all required company safety training.
Must possess and maintain a valid California driver’s license.
Ability to meet the described physical demands, including lifting up to 60 pounds frequently and 80 pounds occasionally, climbing and balancing on ladders and machinery, working at heights and in confined areas, and wearing PPE for extended periods.

Nice To Haves

Experience with sanitary/process piping.
Industrial manufacturing experience.
Food, beverage, or dairy manufacturing experience.
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 sanitary welds suitable for food and dairy processing environments.
Cut, fit, tack, weld, grind, polish, and finish stainless steel components; maintain accurate fit-up, alignment, penetration, weld appearance, and sanitary finish while minimizing distortion and heat damage.
Fabricate 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 to protect weld quality and prevent oxidation.
Assist with equipment installations, modifications, shutdown projects, and plant improvement projects.
Identify potential equipment or piping problems, communicate concerns, and participate in root-cause identification for recurring failures.
Work with maintenance mechanics, supervisors, engineering, operations, sanitation, and contractors; support emergency repairs and production breakdowns when needed.
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; complete assigned work orders and accurately document completed work.
Follow plant LOTO, hot-work, confined-space, fall-protection, PPE, GMP, food-safety, sanitation, contamination-control, SQF/QA, and other applicable safety and production requirements.
Maintain a high standard of workmanship, avoid repeat repairs or callbacks, attend regularly, complete update training and technical education, and contribute to a positive and harmonious work environment.
Use initiative and judgment in the company’s best interests and perform other duties as assigned.
Obtain and maintain a forklift license, respirator medical clearance and certification, safety training, and a valid California driver’s license.