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Friction Welder Jobs (NOW HIRING)

American Drillpipe LLC

Operations Manager

Blanchard, OK · On-site

$32 - $45/hr

We run a modern friction-weld line (200-ton welder), post-weld heat treatment, and in-house inspection, serving oil & gas and adjacent markets (geothermal, mining, water well, HDD). This is a ground ...

Caterpillar

Welder I - Night Shift

Sumter, SC · On-site

$19.40/hr

Friction Welder, Inertia Welder or Automated Mig Welder *Interpret blueprints for assembly and weld operations *Monitor and track weld process using the ultra-sound test method on identified parts

American Drillpipe LLC

Operations Manager

Blanchard, OK · On-site

$32 - $45/hr

We run a modern friction-weld line (200-ton welder), post-weld heat treatment, and in-house inspection, serving oil & gas and adjacent markets (geothermal, mining, water well, HDD). This is a ground ...

American Drillpipe LLC

Operations Manager

Blanchard, OK · On-site

$32 - $45/hr

We run a modern friction-weld line (200-ton welder), post-weld heat treatment, and in-house inspection, serving oil & gas and adjacent markets (geothermal, mining, water well, HDD). This is a ground ...

Rite Corporation

Software Engineer

South Bend, IN · On-site

$90 - $120/hr

MTI is the global leader in friction welding solutions with locations in the United States, United Kingdom, Slovakia and a majority-owned facility in India. Leveraging the outstanding MTI reputation ...

Rite Corporation

Field Service Technician

South Bend, IN · On-site

$65 - $90/hr

MTI is the global leader in friction welding solutions with locations in the United States, United Kingdom, Slovakia and a majority-owned facility in India. Leveraging the outstanding MTI reputation ...

Blue Origin

Pipe Welder III

Van Horn, TX

$22.75 - $28/hr

Uses electrical currents or friction to create heat and bond metals. * Observes tests on welded surfaces to evaluate weld quality and conformance to specifications. * Set up and operate large, motion ...

Blue Origin

Pipe Welder III

Van Horn, TX

$22.75 - $28/hr

Uses electrical currents or friction to create heat and bond metals. * Observes tests on welded surfaces to evaluate weld quality and conformance to specifications. * Set up and operate large, motion ...

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Friction Welder information

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How much do friction welder jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for friction welder in the United States is $23.96, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.19 and $26.44 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a friction welder?

Friction welders are skilled tradespeople who operate specialized machines that join materials, usually metals, using frictional heat rather than traditional welding methods like arcs or flames. They set up, monitor, and maintain friction welding equipment to ensure strong, high-quality welds. Friction welders often work in manufacturing, automotive, and aerospace industries, where their expertise is required to create durable joins that can withstand significant stresses. They must understand safety procedures, machine settings, and the properties of the materials being joined.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a friction welder?

To excel as a Friction Welder, you need a solid understanding of welding principles, metallurgy, and blueprint reading, usually backed by a vocational qualification or technical training. Familiarity with friction welding machines, measurement tools, and quality control systems is essential. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and strong communication skills help ensure safety and precision in the workplace. These competencies are crucial for producing high-quality welds, maintaining equipment, and meeting strict industry standards.

What are some common challenges faced by friction welders, and how can they be addressed in the workplace?

Friction welders often encounter challenges such as maintaining precise alignment of materials and monitoring weld parameters to ensure consistent quality. These issues can be addressed by following strict safety protocols, regularly calibrating equipment, and participating in ongoing training. Collaboration with quality control teams and mechanical engineers is also essential to troubleshoot problems and improve processes. Staying up to date with advancements in welding technology can further help friction welders overcome technical challenges and enhance their performance.

What is the difference between Friction Welder vs Arc Welder?

AspectFriction WelderArc Welder
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; some certificationsHigh school diploma or equivalent; certifications often preferred
Work EnvironmentManufacturing plants, workshops, industrial settingsConstruction sites, manufacturing, repair shops
Industry UsageAutomotive, aerospace, appliance manufacturingConstruction, metal fabrication, maintenance

Friction welders and arc welders both work in manufacturing and industrial environments, but friction welders use heat generated by mechanical friction to join materials, while arc welders use an electric arc. Their credentials are similar, but their work processes and applications differ significantly.

How much do friction welders make?

Friction welders typically earn between $40,000 and $70,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. Skilled welders with certifications and experience in specialized equipment can earn higher wages, especially in manufacturing or aerospace sectors.
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Friction Welder jobs near you
Infographic showing various Friction Welder job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 90% Full Time, 2% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 5% Nights. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $49,837 per year, or $24 per hour.

Operations Manager

American Drillpipe LLC

Blanchard, OK • On-site

$32 - $45/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 6 days ago

Job description

American Drillpipe, LLC — Plant / Production Manager – Startup & Quality Systems 
Location: Chickasha, Oklahoma (on-site) 
About ADP American Drillpipe is a domestic friction-weld drill pipe manufacturer building toward API Q1 and API Spec 5DP certification. We run a modern friction-weld line (200-ton welder), post-weld heat treatment, and in-house inspection, serving oil & gas and adjacent markets (geothermal, mining, water well, HDD). This is a ground-floor, build-it-right role: you'll help bring the line online, stand up the quality system that governs it, and run day-to-day production as we scale. 
Benefits / Perks 
  • Competitive compensation
  • Career growth as the company scales toward full production
  • Ground-floor role in a debt-free, family-owned manufacturer

Job Summary We are seeking an experienced Plant / Production Manager to help bring our friction-weld drill pipe line online and run it once live. You'll work hands-on with Engineering to install and validate equipment, with the Director of Quality to implement our API Q1 quality management system, and then own daily production as the operation scales. This is a buildout-phase role demanding mechanical aptitude, strong process discipline, and the drive to get a manufacturing operation and its quality system built right the first time.
Responsibilities
Equipment Installation & Validation (in coordination with Engineering)
 
  • Assist with installation, setup, and commissioning of production equipment (friction welder, PWHT induction system, machining and handling equipment)
  • Support equipment validation and qualification activities, including documenting installation and performance verification for QMS records
  • Help establish preventive maintenance practices and equipment readiness routines
  • Coordinate with Engineering on PLC/controls integration and process parameter setup
  • Troubleshoot equipment issues during startup and early production

Production
 
  • Manage daily production on the friction-weld line, including operator station assignments and rotation schedules
  • Coordinate material flow from inbound receiving through welding, PWHT, inspection, and outbound shipping
  • Schedule production runs and staffing to meet delivery commitments
  • Oversee shop-floor housekeeping, equipment readiness, and safety practices
  • Manage inbound/outbound logistics, including coordination of off-hours truck loading
  • Track and report production metrics (throughput, scrap/rework, on-time delivery, downtime)
  • Help build and train the production crew as the line ramps to full capacity

Quality Systems Implementation (in support of the Director of Quality)
 
  • Assist in developing and rolling out shop-floor procedures and work instructions aligned to API Q1 and 5DP
  • Help implement document control and records practices on the production floor
  • Support qualification of externally-provided processes (tool joints, heat treat, upsetting) by gathering and organizing supplier conformance records
  • Drive adoption of QMS procedures by the production crew during buildout
  • Support internal readiness activities ahead of the certification audit

Authority note: The Director of Quality retains quality authority, nonconformance disposition, and final product acceptance. Engineering retains ownership of equipment design, process parameters, and qualification authority. This role executes production and supports equipment validation and QMS implementation; it does not hold independent quality or engineering sign-off.
Qualifications
 
  • 5+ years of manufacturing operations or production supervision; drill pipe, OCTG/tubular, or heavy-industrial fabrication strongly preferred
  • Mechanical aptitude and hands-on experience installing, commissioning, or maintaining production equipment
  • Experience bringing a new line or facility online (greenfield/startup or major expansion) strongly preferred
  • Working knowledge of welding, heat treatment, and NDE/inspection processes
  • Hands-on experience with API Q1, API 5DP, ISO 9001, or a comparable quality system—building or implementing it, not just working under one
  • Demonstrated ability to lead and develop a shop-floor crew
  • Strong organizational and documentation skills—procedures, records, recordkeeping discipline
  • Excellent verbal and written communication
  • Willing to work on-site in Chickasha, OK during a demanding buildout phase