Welder

About this role

The Aluminum TIG Welder fabricates, welds, and finishes aluminum components and assemblies for American Access's accessibility products, including modular wheelchair ramps, platforms, landings, and handrails. The role produces clean, structurally sound welds to blueprint and quality standards on products that people with limited mobility depend on every day.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Set up and operate GTAW (TIG) equipment, AC and pulsed, to weld aluminum alloys such as 6061 and 6063 in sheet, plate, tube, and extrusion.
• Read and interpret blueprints, shop drawings, weld symbols, and work orders to determine dimensions, tolerances, and weld sequence.
• Weld in flat, horizontal, vertical, and overhead positions, producing full-penetration, porosity-free welds with consistent bead appearance.
• Clean and prepare base metal before welding, including degreasing, oxide removal with dedicated stainless brushes, and proper joint fit-up.
• Select and maintain tungsten, filler rod (such as 4043 or 5356), cups, and shielding gas settings for each job.
• Fit, tack, clamp, and fixture parts using jigs to hold squareness and limit heat distortion.
• Inspect own work visually and with measuring tools (tape, squares, calipers, weld gauges); rework defects before parts move on.
• Grind, sand, and finish welds to the cosmetic standard required for customer-facing products.
• Assemble ramp sections, landings, handrails, and platforms, and help with final assembly and packaging as needed.
• Record production counts, scrap, and quality issues accurately on job paperwork.
• Perform routine maintenance on welders, torches, and hand tools; report equipment problems promptly.
• Keep the work area clean and organized, and prevent cross-contamination between aluminum and steel.
• Follow all safety rules, OSHA requirements, and company policies.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Ability to pass a company weld test on aluminum before hire.
• Working knowledge of AC balance, amperage control, and filler/tungsten selection for aluminum.
• Proficiency with basic measuring tools and fabrication hand and power tools.
• Basic shop math, including fractions and decimal conversions.
• High school diploma or GED.
• Reliable attendance and ability to work steadily in a production setting.

Preferred Qualifications

• AWS D1.2 (Structural Welding Code – Aluminum) certification or equivalent.
• Experience fabricating ramps, railings, platforms, trailers, or other structural aluminum products.
• Completion of a welding program at a technical college such as TCAT.
• MIG (GMAW) experience on aluminum with a spool or push-pull gun.
• Forklift certification or willingness to obtain it.
• Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands below are representative of those needed to perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

• Stand for most of a shift; frequently bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, and reach overhead.
• Lift and move materials up to 50 lbs regularly, and up to 75 lbs with assistance or lifting aids.
• Use both hands for fine motor control of the torch and filler rod while operating a foot pedal.
• Close vision, depth perception, and the ability to judge weld color and puddle behavior.
• Work in a manufacturing shop with noise, heat, UV light, metal dust, and welding fumes.
• Wear required PPE at all times: welding helmet, safety glasses, gloves, flame-resistant clothing, steel-toe boots, and hearing protection where posted.