Welder III

Columbia Energy•Richland, WA

8d•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a full-time Welder III to join our fabrication team at our Richland, WA facility. This role performs advanced welding and fabrication work requiring a high degree of skill, independence, and technical judgment. The Welder III reads and interprets complex blueprints and engineering plans and uses drawings, travelers, and work plans to determine proper weld sequencing to minimize distortion and warpage caused by heat input. This role is responsible for laying out, cutting, fitting, prepping, tacking, and welding components in accordance with drawing requirements and qualified Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS) defined in each job’s Fabrication, Inspection, and Test Plan (FITP). The Welder III ensures completed components safely meet or exceed blueprint configurations, tolerances, and quality requirements while maintaining a strong focus on safety, documentation accuracy, and workmanship.

Requirements

Eight (8) or more years of welding experience with demonstrated welding qualifications; or a combination of four (4) or more years of experience and an Associate of Applied Science in Welding Technology or equivalent
Ability to pass multiple Columbia Energy welding qualification tests
Extensive working knowledge of welding materials, processes, and procedures
Ability to safely operate welding equipment, tools, machinery, and shop equipment
Ability to read, write, and comprehend verbal instructions and written technical documentation
Ability to perform shop math required for layout and fabrication, including fractions, decimals, and basic geometry
U.S. citizenship required due to the nature of government contracts
Ability to pass an employment record review, criminal background check, and drug screen (drug- and alcohol-free workplace)
Reliable transportation to and from work

Nice To Haves

Experience in R&D or prototype fabrication environments
Experience working under NQA-1 or ASME Section VIII quality programs
Experience performing welds regularly subjected to nondestructive testing such as UT and RT
Ability to weld pipe, sheet metal, and structural steel

Responsibilities

Perform welding on critical and support equipment in accordance with qualified Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS)
Perform structural welding on parts and components per project travelers, engineering drawings, work orders, and applicable specifications
Read, understand, and follow WPS requirements, welding symbols, and fabrication documentation
Apply working knowledge of AWS and ASME codes to ensure compliance with drawing and specification requirements
Apply working knowledge of GD&T to accurately fabricate components to drawing tolerances
Fabricate, fit, tack, and weld parts in accordance with project documentation, with minimal supervision
Select proper WPS, filler metals, shielding gases, and welding processes based on material type and job requirements
Determine proper welding sequences to prevent or minimize distortion and warpage
Fabricate weld fixtures, templates, and work aids as required for complex welding projects
Perform multiple welding processes as required, including FCAW, GMAW, GTAW, and SMAW, including pre- and post-weld heating when specified
Assemble basic mechanical equipment, structural components, and piping systems
Perform self-verification of welded parts and assemblies prior to inspection to ensure work meets or exceeds acceptance criteria
Interface with QA/QC, engineering, and customer personnel to support inspections and resolve technical issues
Measure work pieces to verify dimensional accuracy and acceptability per drawing and specification requirements
Remove burrs, sharp edges, rust, and scale from work pieces as required
Maintain accurate weld records and ensure all required documentation is completed and kept current as work progresses
Report unsafe conditions, unsafe equipment, or quality concerns promptly
Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work area
Perform all duties in a safe and professional manner and in accordance with company policies and procedures
Perform other job-related duties as assigned