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Assistant Welding Inspector Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Welding Engineer II

Palatine, IL · On-site

$87K - $116K/yr

Join Our Team as a Welding Engineer II! The Welding Engineer II will help coordinate and assist ... CWI - Certified Welding Inspector * CWEng - Certified Welding Engineer Skills, Knowledge ...

Welding Engineer II

Palatine, IL · On-site

$93K - $116K/yr

Join Our Team as a Welding Engineer II! The Welding Engineer II will help coordinate and assist ... CWI - Certified Welding Inspector * CWEng - Certified Welding Engineer Skills, Knowledge ...

Light Welder

Cary, IL · On-site

$19.75 - $26/hr

... * Assist with the setup, operation, and routine maintenance of welding equipment. * Perform basic visual inspections of completed welds to identify obvious defects. * Maintain quality standards by ...

Monitor welding processes to prevent distortion, overheating, or defects * Inspect finished welds for quality and conformance to specifications * Work with multiple alloys including stainless steel ...

Bridge Field Technician

Northbrook, IL

$20 - $27.50/hr

... assist in the diagnosis process, perform nondestructive and destructive testing, assist with ... Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) or certified welder (SMAW, FCAW, GMAW to AWS D1.1/D1.5) * ...

Light Welder

Cary, IL

$19.75 - $26/hr

... welding * Follow instructions and simple blueprints or work instructions * Assist with equipment setup and routine maintenance * Conduct basic visual inspections of welds * Maintain a clean and safe ...

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Assistant Welding Inspector information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$15

$27

$42

How much do assistant welding inspector jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for assistant welding inspector in Chicago, IL is $27.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.81 and $33.65 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Assistant Welding Inspector position, and why are they important?

As an Assistant Welding Inspector, a solid understanding of welding processes, materials, and inspection standards—often supported by vocational training or an AWS (American Welding Society) certification—is essential. Familiarity with inspection tools such as calipers, micrometers, non-destructive testing (NDT) methods, and documentation systems is typically required. Attention to detail, effective communication, and teamwork are important soft skills in this position. These skills help ensure welded structures meet safety and quality standards while supporting senior inspectors and collaborating efficiently with production teams.

What does a typical day look like for an Assistant Welding Inspector?

A typical day for an Assistant Welding Inspector involves assisting with inspections of welds and materials, documenting findings, and ensuring compliance with project specifications and safety regulations. You may spend time both in the field—observing welding operations and performing measurements—and in the office, preparing inspection reports and reviewing project documentation. Collaboration with welders, quality assurance teams, and senior inspectors is frequent, as you help address issues and maintain production quality. The variety in daily tasks offers valuable hands-on experience and exposure to industry standards, which is beneficial for career progression in welding inspection.

What is an Assistant Welding Inspector job?

An Assistant Welding Inspector (AWI) supports senior welding inspectors in ensuring welds meet quality and safety standards. They assist in inspecting welds for defects, verifying compliance with codes and specifications, and maintaining inspection records. AWIs may also perform basic testing, monitor welder performance, and ensure proper welding procedures are followed. This role is often a stepping stone to becoming a Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) with additional experience and certifications.

What are the most commonly searched types of Welding Inspector jobs in Chicago, IL? The most popular types of Welding Inspector jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What are popular job titles related to Assistant Welding Inspector jobs in Chicago, IL? For Assistant Welding Inspector jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Assistant Welding Inspector jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Assistant Welding Inspector jobs in Chicago, IL are:
Certified Weld Inspector/Instructor/Engineer

Certified Weld Inspector/Instructor/Engineer

H3 Manufacturing Group LLC

Schaumburg, IL • On-site

$90K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 9 days ago


Job description

* * * DIRECT Hire Only. No Recruiters. No Phone Calls * * *
Job Title: Certified Weld Inspector/Instructor (CWI) / Certified Weld Engineer
Job Type: Full-time, Day Shift
Location: Schaumburg, IL
  • This position requires ITAR compliance and may involve access to technical data controlled under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Sponsorship is not available now nor in the future.
  • Applicants must be U.S. Persons as defined by ITAR.

Company Overview:
H3 Manufacturing is a leading integrated manufacturing solutions provider specializing in precision machining, laser cutting, sheet metal fabrication, complex welding, assembly, surface finishing, painting, and powder coating. With four state-of-the-art facilities spanning over 200,000 square feet across Illinois & North Carolina, we serve high-spec markets including power generation, healthcare, electrical power distribution, aerospace and defense, life sciences, and more.
Key Responsibilities:
The Certified Weld Inspector (CWI) / Instructor / Weld Engineer is responsible for ensuring all welded products meet customer specifications, applicable codes, and company quality standards while developing and improving the welding skills of production employees. This role combines technical inspection expertise with hands-on training, mentoring, and continuous improvement initiatives to support safe, high-quality, and efficient manufacturing operations.
Weld Inspection & Quality
  • Perform visual weld inspections in accordance with applicable AWS, customer, and internal quality standards.
  • Interpret welding symbols, engineering drawings, specifications, and applicable welding codes to ensure travelers, work instructions and jobs are scoped and set-up appropriately.
  • Verify compliance with approved Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS), Procedure Qualification Records (PQR), and Welder Performance Qualifications (WPQ).
  • Identify welding defects, determine root causes, and recommend corrective actions.
  • Document inspection findings and maintain accurate inspection records.
  • Support internal, customer, and third-party quality audits.
  • Collaborate with Engineering, Quality, and Production teams to resolve weld-related quality issues.
  • Assist in dispositioning nonconforming material and implementing corrective actions.
  • Monitor welding processes to ensure consistent quality and process capability.

Training & Instruction
  • Develop and deliver hands-on welding training for new hires and existing employees.
  • Evaluate welder proficiency and provide coaching to improve technique, quality, and productivity.
  • Conduct welder qualification testing and maintain qualification records.
  • Develop training materials, work instructions, and welding best practices.
  • Identify skill gaps and recommend development plans for welders.
  • Promote proper welding techniques, safety practices, and equipment care.
  • Serve as a technical resource for supervisors and production employees.

Lean & Continuous Improvement
  • Develop, qualify, and maintain welding procedures (WPS/PQR) in accordance with applicable codes and standards (AWS, ASME, API, ISO, etc.).
  • Design and optimize welding processes to improve quality, efficiency, and cost.
  • Support Lean Manufacturing initiatives focused on improving welding quality and efficiency.
  • Analyze weld defects and quality trends to reduce scrap and rework.
  • Recommend improvements to fixtures, processes, consumables, and equipment.
  • Participate in new product launches and process validations involving welding operations.
  • Assist with continuous improvement projects related to welding operations and quality systems.

Qualifications
  • High school diploma or GED preferred.
  • REQUIRED: Current AWS Certified Weld Inspector (CWI) certification.
  • REQUIRED: Ability to execute and train on 6G Welds
  • Preferred: Certified Welding Engineer (CWE)
  • Minimum of 5 years of welding experience in a manufacturing environment.
  • Strong knowledge of AWS welding codes and standards.
  • Experience interpreting blueprints, welding symbols, and engineering drawings.
  • Knowledge of welding processes including MIG, TIG, FCAW, and GMAW (as applicable).
  • Experience with welding codes and standards (AWS D1.1, ASME Section IX, API, ISO, etc.).

Skills
  • Strong communication, coaching, and interpersonal skills.
  • Proficiency using standard inspection tools and measuring equipment.
  • Ability to prepare accurate inspection reports and training documentation.
  • Strong understanding of welding metallurgy and fabrication processes.
  • Excellent attention to detail.
  • Ability to identify and troubleshoot welding defects.
  • Effective presentation and classroom instruction skills.
  • Strong organizational and documentation abilities.
  • Ability to work collaboratively across departments.
  • Ability to prioritize multiple projects in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
  • Commitment to workplace safety and continuous improvement.

Experience:
  • Previous experience training or instructing welders.
  • Experience in a metal fabrication or contract manufacturing environment.
  • Familiarity with ISO 9001 quality management systems.
  • Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles.
  • Additional certifications such as Certified Welding Educator (CWE) or NDE certifications are a plus.
  • Experience with robot automation is not required but it is preferred.
  • Experience in welding fixturing, welding work sequencing and development/coaching of top welding attributes (i.e. heat transfer, back-gassing, heat mitigation methodologies, machine optimization for weld penetration with different materials and thickness.

Physical Requirements
  • Ability to stand and walk for the duration of a 10-hour shift.
  • Frequently lift, carry, push, or pull materials weighing up to 50 pounds.
  • Frequently bend, twist, reach, stoop, and grasp.
  • Manual dexterity sufficient to operate machinery and measuring equipment.
  • Ability to work in a manufacturing environment with exposure to moving machinery, noise, and varying temperatures.
  • Must wear required personal protective equipment (PPE).

Working Conditions
  • Manufacturing production environment.
  • Regular exposure to machinery, metal materials, and industrial noise.
  • Overtime and occasional weekend work may be required to meet production demands.

* * * Direct Hires ONLY. No Recruiters. No Phone Calls * * *
Pay: starting at $90,000/yr
Location Requirement: Schaumburg, IL
Benefits:
  • Retirement plan 401(k) with 401(k) match
  • Healthcare, Dental & Vision insurance
  • Flexible spending account or Health savings account option
  • Life insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Parental leave
  • Professional development assistance
  • Referral program

H3 Manufacturing Group, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer that prohibits discrimination or harassment of any type. All qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Applicants who require an accommodation to participate in the job application or hiring process should email HR@H3mfgGroup.com.