Welding Job Entry Level Jobs in Decatur, TX (NOW HIRING)

Position Summary:

The MIG Welding Trainer / Coach is responsible for developing and advancing the skills of entry-level welders (Level 1) to achieve Level 2 and Level 3 welding competency standards. This position combines hands-on welding expertise with coaching, mentoring, skills assessment, and performance development to improve weld quality, productivity, safety, and employee performance within a metal fabrication environment.

The successful candidate will deliver structured training, hands-on demonstrations, practical skills assessments, and ongoing coaching to ensure welders meet company quality standards, customer specifications, safety requirements, and industry best practices.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Internal Relationships: All Departments

External Relationships: Occasional and incidental contact with customers or prospective customers

Primary Responsibilities:

Training & Development

• Develop and deliver structured welding training programs for Level 1 welders.
• Provide classroom, demonstration, and hands-on welding instruction.
• Demonstrate proper welding techniques, machine setup, fixture use, material preparation, and weld inspection methods.
• Train employees on various welding positions, joint configurations, material types, and fabrication applications.
• Develop individual training and development plans to support progression from Level 1 to Level 2 and Level 3 competency.
• Identify skill gaps and provide targeted coaching, retraining, and corrective instruction.
• Maintain current knowledge of welding processes, equipment, techniques, and industry standards.

Coaching & Mentoring

• Provide one-on-one mentoring and hands-on coaching on the production floor.
• Observe welder performance and provide timely, constructive feedback.
• Build employee confidence, technical capability, and accountability.
• Support new-hire onboarding and initial welding skill development.
• Foster a positive learning environment focused on safety, craftsmanship, quality, and continuous improvement.
• Serve as a technical resource and role model for welding employees.

Skills Assessment & Progression

• Conduct welding tests, practical evaluations, and competency assessments.
• Evaluate weld quality against company standards, specifications, and applicable welding procedures.
• Maintain accurate training records, qualification results, skills matrices, and progression documentation.
• Track individual employee development and identify opportunities for continued improvement.
• Provide recommendations for advancement to higher welding levels based on demonstrated competency and performance.

Quality Improvement

• Train welders to identify, prevent, and correct common weld defects, including:
  • Porosity
  • Undercut
  • Lack of fusion
  • Burn-through
  • Excessive spatter
  • Incomplete penetration
• Partner with Quality and Production teams to reduce defects, rework, and scrap.
• Reinforce best practices for weld preparation, fit-up, machine settings, and inspection.
• Identify recurring quality issues and recommend training or process improvements.
• Support standardization of welding techniques and work practices across the team.

Safety Leadership

• Reinforce company safety policies, procedures, and OSHA requirements related to welding and fabrication.
• Train employees on proper PPE, equipment operation, ventilation, fire prevention, and safe welding practices.
• Promote hazard awareness, proper housekeeping, and safe work practices.
• Lead by example and immediately address unsafe behaviors or conditions.
• Participate in safety audits, investigations, and corrective actions as needed.

Production & Operational Support

• Partner with Production leadership to identify workforce development needs.
• Assist with workforce planning and welding skill assessments.
• Provide production support during peak workloads or staffing needs when necessary.
• Recommend process improvements that enhance productivity, efficiency, quality, and employee capability.
• Assist in developing and maintaining standardized welding procedures, work instructions, and training materials.
• Collaborate with supervisors, Quality, Engineering, and other departments to resolve technical or production-related issues.

Minimum Requirements:

Required

• Minimum 5 years of MIG/GMAW welding experience in a manufacturing, fabrication, or industrial environment.
• Demonstrated ability to weld carbon steel, stainless steel, and other commonly used fabrication materials.
• Strong knowledge of welding symbols, blueprints, fabrication drawings, and welding specifications.
• Previous experience training, coaching, mentoring, or developing employees.
• Ability to evaluate weld quality and identify common welding defects.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal and coaching skills with the ability to work effectively with employees at varying skill levels.
• Demonstrated commitment to safety, quality, productivity, and continuous improvement.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Preferred

• Bilingual in English and Spanish strongly preferred.
• Certified Welder through AWS, CWB, or equivalent certification.
• Previous experience as a Welding Instructor, Trainer, Lead Welder, Lead Hand, or Welding Supervisor.
• Experience developing training programs, skills matrices, competency assessments, or career progression plans.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, 5S, Kaizen, or other continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience working with Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS) and related documentation.

Technical Skills

• MIG/GMAW welding processes
• Welding machine setup, operation, and troubleshooting
• Blueprint and fabrication drawing interpretation
• Welding symbols and specifications
• Weld inspection and defect identification
• Metal fabrication processes
• Weld preparation and fit-up
• Grinding and finishing techniques
• Measurement and quality control tools
• Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS)
• Welding equipment and consumable selection
• Basic troubleshooting of welding equipment and processes

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Success in this role may be measured through:

• Number and percentage of welders successfully progressing from Level 1 to Level 2 and Level 3.
• Reduction in weld defects, rework, and scrap.
• Training completion and competency assessment rates.
• Improvement in welding productivity and first-pass quality.
• Safety compliance and reduction in preventable incidents.
• Employee skill development and training effectiveness.
• Employee retention and engagement within the welding team.
• Successful implementation of standardized training and welding practices.

Environmental/Physical Requirements with or without Accommodation:

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
• Ability to lift and move materials weighing up to 50 pounds (23 kg).
• Frequent bending, kneeling, reaching, pushing, pulling, and working in various positions.
• Ability to work safely around welding equipment, fabrication machinery, heat, fumes, noise, and metal materials.
• Ability to wear required PPE, including welding helmet, gloves, protective clothing, respiratory protection when required, hearing protection, eye protection, and safety footwear.
• Ability to work in a manufacturing/fabrication environment with varying temperatures and conditions.

Core Competencies

• Technical Welding Expertise
• Coaching & Mentoring
• Training & Development
• Quality Focus
• Safety Leadership
• Communication
• Problem Solving
• Teamwork & Collaboration
• Continuous Improvement
• Accountability & Leadership

All qualified applicants will receive considerations for employment without regard to race, color, sex (including pregnancy), religion, national, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law. We are committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities.