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Refinery Welding Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Eng Technologist Sr

Radford, VA · On-site

$88K - $149K/yr

Oversee contract QA/QC welders and NDT technicians during turnarounds or outages. * Documentation ... refining, water/wastewater, or power generation). * Must hold at least one of the following ...

Welding experience preferred.Benefits:Health Benefits Offering choices so you can enroll in medical ... We are a world leader in grain origination, storage, distribution, oilseed processing and refining ...

Welding experience preferred. Benefits: * Health Benefits - Offering choices so you can enroll in ... We are a world leader in grain origination, storage, distribution, oilseed processing and refining ...

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Refinery Welding information

What is refinery welding?

Refinery welding involves joining metal components in oil refineries to build, repair, or maintain equipment such as pipelines, pressure vessels, and structural supports. Welders in refineries work with various welding techniques, including arc welding, TIG, and MIG, to ensure strong, leak-proof joints that can withstand high pressures and temperatures. They must adhere to strict safety and quality standards due to the hazardous environment and the critical nature of refinery infrastructure.

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

To thrive as a Refinery Welder, you need expertise in welding techniques, blueprint reading, and metal fabrication, typically supported by a welding certification and relevant safety training. Familiarity with tools such as MIG, TIG, and stick welding equipment, as well as compliance with OSHA regulations and API standards, is vital. Attention to detail, physical stamina, and a strong commitment to safety are crucial soft skills for this role. These abilities ensure high-quality, safe welds in hazardous refinery environments, reducing risks and maintaining operational integrity.

What are some common challenges refinery welders face, and how can they overcome them?

Refinery welders often encounter challenges such as working in confined spaces, exposure to hazardous materials, and strict adherence to safety protocols. These environments require welders to be highly attentive to detail and follow safety regulations closely. Overcoming these challenges involves consistent use of personal protective equipment (PPE), ongoing safety training, and effective communication with team members to ensure tasks are completed safely and efficiently. Additionally, refinery welders should stay up to date with certification requirements and best practices to maintain high-quality work standards.

What is the difference between Refinery Welding vs Pipefitting?

AspectRefinery WeldingPipefitting
CertificationsWelding certifications (e.g., AWS, ASME)Pipefitting certifications (e.g., NCCER, API)
Work EnvironmentRefineries, chemical plants, industrial sitesConstruction sites, industrial plants, maintenance
Industry UsageHeavy industry, oil & gas refineriesOil & gas, water treatment, power plants

Refinery Welding and Pipefitting both require specialized certifications and often overlap in industrial settings. Refinery Welders focus on welding metal components in refineries, while Pipefitters install and maintain piping systems. Both roles are essential in the oil and gas industry and share similar work environments, but their primary skills differ: welding versus pipe installation.

How to get into refinery welding?

To become a refinery welder, you typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, followed by specialized training or an apprenticeship in welding techniques such as SMAW, GTAW, or GMAW. Certification from organizations like the American Welding Society (AWS) is often required, and experience working with industrial equipment and safety protocols is essential in refinery environments.

What are popular job titles related to Refinery Welding jobs in Virginia?

For Refinery Welding jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Refinery Welding jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Refinery Welding jobs in Virginia are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Refinery Welding jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Refinery Welding job openings:

Infographic showing various Refinery Welding job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.

Eng Technologist Sr

BAE Systems

Radford, VA • On-site

$88K - $149K/yr

Part-time

Re-posted 9 days ago


BAE Systems rating

8.4

Company rating: 8.4 out of 10

Based on 150 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

10th of 49 rated military and defense


Job description


What's it like working for a company that delivers life-saving products and services to our nation's military? Humbling. As part of our Ordnance Systems team in Radford, VA, you will be working alongside some of the industry's top talent on the forefront of energetics technology.
We are looking for a detail-oriented Senior Fixed Equipment Inspector to help oversee the mechanical integrity and regulatory compliance of our static assets at the Radford Army Ammunition Plant in southwestern Virginia. This role is vital to ensuring the safety, reliability, and environmental compliance of our piping systems, pressure vessels, and storage tanks. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of damage mechanisms, non-destructive testing (NDT) methodologies, and industry codes, and will act as the subject matter expert for fitness-for-service evaluations and repair strategies.
Key Responsibilities
  • Regulatory Compliance Inspections: Execute and manage visual, internal, and external inspections of pressure vessels, piping circuits, and aboveground storage tanks in accordance with API and ASME codes.
  • Defect and Damage Evaluation: Identify and evaluate localized corrosion, cracking, erosion, and other metallurgical damage mechanisms. Determine remaining life and calculate next-inspection intervals.
  • Repair Oversight: Develop and approve formal repair packages, alteration procedures, and pressure-test procedures. Oversee contract QA/QC welders and NDT technicians during turnarounds or outages.
  • Documentation and Recordkeeping: Maintain meticulous inspection records, asset histories, and regulatory documentation using standard Inspection Management Software.
  • Risk-Based Inspection (RBI): Support the development and implementation of Risk-Based Inspection programs to optimize plant maintenance strategies.
  • Driving Reliability: Lead formal and informal Root Cause Failure Analysis (RCFA) investigations for equipment failures and implement corrective actions.
  • End-to-End Ownership: Demonstrate a proactive, collaborative mindset by owning recommendations from initial diagnosis though execution; actively partner with maintenance, engineering, and operations teams to follow up, troubleshoot, and ensure corrective actions are successfully drive to completion.
  • Cross-Discipline Collaboration: Actively partner with other asset integrity and reliability peers during major outages or high-volume campaigns; demonstrate the flexibility to lead technical initiatives or work at the direction of a peer colleague, depending on which discipline is driving the scope of work.
  • This role requires regular presence in a manufacturing or fabrication environment. The incumbent must be able to access and safely navigate production areas which may include climbing, kneeling, stooping, and working in confined spaces. Must also be able to comply with all requirements including the use of required personal protective equipment (PPE) in accordance with company policy.

Required Skills and Education
  • High School Diploma/GED required with 8+ years of relevant experience to include mechanical integrity inspection experience in heavy industrial environments (e.g., chemical, refining, water/wastewater, or power generation).
  • Must hold at least one of the following certificates and ideally all three: valid API 510 (Pressure Vessel Inspector), API 570 (Piping Inspector), and API 653 (Aboveground Storage Tank Inspector) certifications.
  • Strong working knowledge of ASME Section VIII (Vessels), ASME B31.3/B31.1 (Piping), and API 579 (Fitness-for-Service).
  • Familiarity with various NDT methods (UT, MT, PT, RT).
  • Strong problem-solving capabilities, excellent collaborative skills to work alongside plant engineers and maintenance crafts, and an uncompromising commitment to safety.
  • Microsoft Office experience.

About BAE Systems Platforms & Services Posting
BAE Systems, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of BAE Systems plc, an international defense, aerospace and security company which delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. Improving the future and protecting lives is an ambitious mission, but it's what we do at BAE Systems. Working here means using your passion and ingenuity where it counts - defending national security with breakthrough technology, superior products, and intelligence solutions. As you develop the latest technology and defend national security, you will continually hone your skills on a team-making a big impact on a global scale. At BAE Systems, you'll find a rewarding career that truly makes a difference.
The Platforms & Services (P&S) sector under BAE Systems, Inc does the big stuff: the armored combat vehicles, naval guns, missile launchers, and ship repair...just to name a few. Our employees take pride in the work they do and why they do it. They are on the front lines every day, building our products to protect the lives of those who serve. We may be biased, but we think P&S does some of the coolest work around, and we think you will too.
Preferred Skills and Education
  • Preferred experience within a chemical facility
  • Technical degree or engineering background preferred
  • Knowledge of a computer maintenance management system (CMMS)
  • Experience building and maintaining an Inspection Data Management System (IDMS) #LI-Onsite #LI-JR1

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