Custom Welding Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Job Title: Welder

Job Description

This role works in a custom job shop welding environment, joining metal parts according to layouts, blueprints, and work orders. You will set up your own welding equipment, select appropriate wire sizes based on material thickness and grade, and inspect your work before passing parts to the next step in the process.

Responsibilities

• Weld metal parts together in a custom job shop environment following layouts, blueprints, and work orders.
• Set up welding machines independently, including selecting and adjusting wire size according to material thickness and grade.
• Perform MIG welding on a variety of metals, including mild steel and sheet metal, in accordance with job specifications.
• Read and interpret blueprints and drawings for custom projects to determine weld locations, dimensions, and sequence of operations.
• Use basic shop math to measure, mark, and verify dimensions down to 1/16 or 1/32 of an inch.
• Inspect completed welds visually and dimensionally, and fill out inspection sheets upon completion of each job.
• Perform fit-up welding, including aligning and fitting components prior to welding.
• Use basic hand tools and fabrication equipment to prepare, assemble, and finish welded components.
• For welder-only work, perform heavy plate welding with cored wire in line with AWS D1.1 standards.
• For fitter responsibilities, take parts from start to finish, including fitting and fabrication steps, with training provided to meet specific shop needs.
• Maintain a clean and organized work area and follow all shop safety procedures.

Essential Skills

• Proficiency in MIG welding, including setup and operation of MIG welding equipment.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints for custom welding and fabrication projects.
• Ability to perform basic shop math, including adding and subtracting measurements down to 1/16 or 1/32 of an inch.
• Experience with fit-up welding and fitting components prior to welding.
• Basic knowledge and safe use of hand tools commonly used in a welding and fabrication shop.
• Capability to fill out inspection sheets and document weld quality upon completion of work.
• Experience fitting or fabrication for candidates performing fitter duties.
• Ability to work with mild steel, sheet metal, and heavy plate materials.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with TIG welding and stick welding.
• Familiarity with shop math beyond the basics, particularly for complex layouts and fits.
• Experience working in a custom job shop welding environment.
• AWS D1.1 certification or experience welding to AWS D1.1 standards, especially for heavy plate welding with cored wire.
• Experience with flux-cored wire welding.
• Blueprint reading skills for complex or custom fabrications.
• Willingness to train and develop additional fitting and fabrication skills as needed.

Why Work Here?

The organization offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, vision, and dental coverage, along with paid time off. You can expect a stable first-shift schedule that supports work-life balance, opportunities to broaden your welding and fitting skills through on-the-job training, and a supportive shop environment where craftsmanship and quality are valued.

Work Environment

This position is based in a custom job shop welding environment, working primarily with mild steel, sheet metal, and heavy plate materials. The role operates on a first-shift schedule, Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with occasional additional time on the back end of the shift, typically not extending past 4:30 p.m. You will work with MIG welding equipment, and may also use TIG and stick welding processes as needed. The shop environment involves hands-on fabrication, fitting, and welding work, using standard hand tools and measuring equipment, while following established safety practices.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Rockford, IL.

The pay range for this position is $18.00 - $25.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Rockford,IL.

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 20, 2026.

Aerotek® Inc. provides staffing and services solutions in manufacturing, logistics, construction, aviation, facilities and maintenance. We provide the expertise, solutions and people required to rise to the challenges of North American industry. Headquartered in Hanover, Md., Aerotek operates a unified network of over 200 offices across North America, supporting more than 18,000 clients each year. Aerotek is an Allegis Group company, the global leader in workforce and business solutions. To learn more, visit: Aerotek.com | 1-888-AEROTEK.

Aerotek offers weekly pay, employee benefits including medical, dental & vision, life insurance, health advocacy and employee assistance programs, a 401(k) plan, and employee discounts.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.

We know that finding work is hard, and finding meaningful work is harder. Aerotek connects 180,000+ light industrial and skilled trades workers with 14,000+ employers each year, helping our workers navigate an evolving labor market and find jobs that meet their goals, skills, and interests. Since 1983, we have provided a variety of career opportunities across North American industry – from short-term assignments at Fortune 500 companies where you can build your skills, to long-term opportunities where you can play a vital role in solving companies’ construction, manufacturing, and maintenance challenges. Our 1,500+ experienced recruiters across 250+ offices work relentlessly to put our workforce in a position to thrive. Let us rise to meet your challenges and put our people-are-everything spirit to the test as your career continues to grow.