Welder Machinist

American Electric Power•Gentry, AR

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Welder Machinist ensures reliable operation of plant machinery and mechanical equipment by troubleshooting issues and performing preventive and corrective maintenance. The role uses drawings, sketches, operating manuals, manufacturer instructions, and engineering specifications; leads others in analyzing, detecting, and repairing defects; reports irregularities to appropriate supervision; maintains SWEPCO-approved welding certification; and participates in continuous improvement activities. The position performs and trains apprentice industrial maintenance mechanics in boiler, piping, and pressure-vessel repairs; maintenance and troubleshooting of mechanical, pneumatic, and hydraulic systems; machining and precision fitting; welding, cutting, heating, and brazing; equipment monitoring; rigging and scaffolding; and operation and maintenance of mobile equipment. The successful candidate must reside within a one-hour drive of Flint Creek Powerplant, respond to call-outs, and be willing to work rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays. Remote equipment inspections are a daily requirement, though long-distance travel is minimal.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Associate degree in an industrial maintenance or mechanical discipline; a certificate in electronics, electrical engineering, or instrumentation; or equivalent experience.
At least 10 years of experience as a power plant machinist or in other industrial mechanical/machinist work.
Proficient welding experience sufficient to take the AEP welding test.
Appropriate state driver's license.
Must complete an online pre-employment assessment and achieve a recommended result.
Must complete a physical abilities assessment.
Must be willing to work rotating shifts, including weekends, nights, and holidays, and respond to call-outs.
Must reside within a one-hour drive of Flint Creek Powerplant.
Ability to learn and comply with plant operating instructions and procedures, safety practices, and environmental guidelines.
Ability to learn and properly use tools and equipment applicable to the work.
Ability to read, interpret, and work from simple prints and specifications.
Effective verbal and written communication and professional interaction with employees, contractors, and others.
Ability and willingness to work in designated confined spaces, elevated areas, and hot and cold temperatures, and to wear a respirator when required.
Physical capacity for medium work: exert 20–50 pounds of force occasionally, 10–25 pounds frequently, and up to 10 pounds constantly.

Responsibilities

Ensure reliable operation of plant machinery and mechanical equipment through troubleshooting and preventive and corrective maintenance.
Lead the work of others in analyzing, detecting, and repairing defects, and report irregularities and abnormal conditions to appropriate supervision.
Maintain SWEPCO-approved welding certification and participate in continuous improvement activities.
Perform and train apprentice industrial maintenance mechanics in boiler, piping, and pressure-vessel repairs.
Preventively and correctively maintain mechanical components of plant equipment.
Diagnose, troubleshoot, align, repair, and maintain mechanical, pneumatic, and hydraulic systems and components, including boilers, turbine generators, pumps, control valves, fans, rotating equipment, and associated piping.
Operate machine-shop and portable machining equipment to produce components to accurate tolerances, including parts not readily machined on standard tools.
Develop jigs and fixtures and perform precision fitting of component parts.
Use vibration and thermal monitoring equipment to assess equipment condition.
Perform electric arc and oxyacetylene structural welding to repair equipment.
Perform oxyacetylene cutting, heating, and brazing of piping and structural components.
Erect and remove scaffolding and perform rigging, lifting, and blocking.
Operate and maintain mobile equipment such as manlifts, forklifts, and backhoes, and perform pre-use inspections.
Prepare, update, and maintain required records and documentation.
Inspect remote equipment daily and respond to call-outs during outage and non-outage work to support operational needs and schedules.
Learn and comply with plant operating instructions, procedures, applicable safety practices, and environmental guidelines; report unsafe conditions and practices.
Train for firefighting, first aid, AED, and other emergency response programs as required.