Welding Lab Assistant Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

To ensure full consideration, applications should be submitted by August 5, 2026. Review of applications will begin on August 5, 2026, and continue on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Candidates whose qualifications and experience most closely align with the requirements of the position will be contacted. 

 Due to the nature of the work environment, candidates must be a US person as defined by US export control regulations and eligible to access controlled unclassified information (CUI).

The Pay, Perks, and Benefits

• Annual Salary of $83,500 - $94,500 and commensurate with experience.
• Retirement benefits are provided through the Virginia Retirement System with employer match.
• Generous time off is provided, including vacation, paid sick leave, and paid family leave after one year.
• Paid holidays are provided, including a two week paid winter break.
• Anthem PPO and HSA health plans are offered, with excellent dental options.

What You Will Do
The ATDM Floating Instructor – Welding plays a key role in supporting welding instruction and ensuring continuity of training operations across all shifts. This position serves as a flexible instructional resource, assisting with classroom and lab operations, instructor coverage, student evaluation, and program quality initiatives.

Responsibilities include:

• Provide instructional support and coverage for Welding courses across all shifts as needed.
• Assist with onboarding and training new Welding Instructors and Technicians.
• Prepare and maintain welding labs and classrooms to ensure readiness for daily instruction.
• Ensure compliance with 5S standards, safety requirements, classroom expectations, and daily/weekly operational routines.
• Support adherence to emergency procedures, equipment maintenance requirements, and welding lab best practices.
• Evaluate welding assignments and practical assessments.
• Document student credentials, certifications, and program outcomes.
• Conduct facility tours and demonstrations for visitors and stakeholders as requested.
• Assist the Welding Lead Instructor with special projects and departmental initiatives.
• Promote a culture of safety, professionalism, accountability, and continuous improvement.

How You Will Help the Team
The Floating Instructor ensures uninterrupted delivery of welding training by providing coverage during instructor absences, vacations, and other staffing needs. By supporting multiple shifts and maintaining instructional quality standards, this role helps create a consistent and high-quality learning experience for ATDM participants while supporting the overall success of the Welding program.

Shift Differential
This role is responsible for providing instructional coverage and maintaining continuity of operations across all Welding program shifts. The primary schedule is Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; however, the incumbent is expected to adjust their schedule as needed to fill instructional gaps caused by absences, vacations, staffing shortages, or other operational needs.

With advance notice from management, the Floating Instructor may be reassigned to support:

• Second Shift: Monday through Friday, 2:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
• Third Shift: Sunday through Thursday, 10:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m.

This position is designed to provide flexible instructional coverage across all shifts, and candidates must be willing and able to work alternate schedules when needed to ensure uninterrupted training delivery and student success.

Your Knowledge and Expertise
Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Five (5) years of hands-on welding experience.
• Demonstrated experience training, teaching, coaching, mentoring, or developing others in a manufacturing, technical, military, educational, or workforce development environment.
• Familiarity with American Welding Society (AWS) standards.
• Experience performing a variety of welding processes, including SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, and FCAW.
• Competency in technical mathematics as applied to welding operations.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and blueprints.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills and a proactive approach to addressing challenges.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse students, faculty, and staff.
• Demonstrated success working collaboratively in a team environment.
• Ability to lift and move up to 50 pounds.

Preferred Qualifications
Current certifications—or the ability to obtain them upon hire—in the following welding processes and positions:

• FCAW: 2G, 3G, 4G
• SMAW: 2G, 3G, 4G
• GMAW (Short Circuit): 2G, 4G
• GMAW (Pulse): 3G
• GTAW: 2G, 3G, 4G
• Prior experience delivering technical, workforce, military, apprenticeship, or postsecondary welding training.
• Experience evaluating student performance and documenting training outcomes.
• Experience maintaining welding laboratories and instructional equipment.

What Makes Working Here Different
The Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) program prepares skilled workers for careers supporting the U.S. defense industrial base. As part of a collaborative instructional team, you will help deliver hands-on, accelerated training that equips learners with the technical skills needed to succeed in high-demand manufacturing careers while supporting a nationally significant workforce initiative.

Equal Opportunity Employer
We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status