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Welding Lab Assistant Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

... welding. Location: The position will be based on site in Lynchburg, VA at LTC. Your Day to Day as ... Operate analytical lab equipment (hardness testers, microscopes/cameras, comparators), including ...

Conduct regular floor checks and assist in maintaining all production machinery and tools ... Welding, fabrication, or basic machining skills a plus. * Basic computer skills (Excel, Word ...

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Welding Lab Assistant information

See Virginia salary details

$10

$20

$29

How much do welding lab assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for welding lab assistant in Virginia is $20.07, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.44 and $22.88 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the work of a lab assistant?

A welding lab assistant supports welding instructors by preparing materials, setting up equipment, and maintaining safety standards in the lab. They may also assist with testing welds, recording data, and ensuring proper use of tools and safety gear. Attention to detail and knowledge of welding processes are important for this role.

What is the difference between Welding Lab Assistant vs Welding Technician?

AspectWelding Lab AssistantWelding Technician
CertificationsBasic safety and lab-specific certificationsWelding certifications (e.g., AWS Certified Welder)
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, training centers, educational institutionsManufacturing plants, construction sites, industrial facilities
Job ResponsibilitiesAssisting with equipment setup, maintaining lab tools, supporting students or traineesPerforming welding operations, inspecting welds, troubleshooting equipment

The main difference between a Welding Lab Assistant and a Welding Technician lies in their responsibilities and work environment. Welding Lab Assistants primarily support training and lab operations, while Welding Technicians perform hands-on welding and inspection tasks in industrial settings. Certifications and daily tasks reflect these roles, with Lab Assistants focusing on support and maintenance, and Technicians on active welding work.

What are Welding Lab Assistants?

Welding Lab Assistants are support staff who help maintain welding laboratories and assist instructors and students during welding classes or projects. Their responsibilities often include preparing materials, setting up equipment, ensuring safety protocols are followed, and helping with basic welding tasks under supervision. They play a critical role in keeping the lab organized, safe, and efficient, allowing instructors and students to focus on learning and skill development.

What are the main responsibilities of a Welding Lab Assistant during a typical week?

As a Welding Lab Assistant, your weekly duties often include preparing and organizing welding materials and equipment, assisting instructors or senior welders during demonstrations, and ensuring that all safety protocols are followed in the lab. You may also be responsible for maintaining inventory, cleaning equipment, and helping students or new team members with setup and troubleshooting. Collaboration is key, as you'll frequently work alongside both faculty and students to create a safe and efficient learning environment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Welding Lab Assistant, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Welding Lab Assistant, you need a solid understanding of welding techniques, safety procedures, and basic metallurgy, often backed by a welding certificate or vocational training. Familiarity with welding machines, hand tools, lab equipment, and safety compliance systems is typically required. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and effective communication help ensure a safe and efficient lab environment. These skills and qualities are crucial for supporting instructors, maintaining equipment, and promoting a safe learning space for students.

What welding jobs pay $50 an hour?

Welding jobs that pay $50 an hour typically include specialized roles such as pipe welders, underwater welders, and industrial welders with advanced certifications. These positions often require significant experience, skills in specific welding techniques, and sometimes working in challenging environments or remote locations.

Can you make $300,000 as a welder?

Welding lab assistants typically do not earn $300,000 annually, as this high salary is usually associated with experienced welders in specialized fields such as pipeline, aerospace, or underwater welding, often requiring advanced skills, certifications, and sometimes hazardous work conditions. Entry-level or general welding roles generally pay significantly less, with salaries varying based on location, experience, and industry demand.

Can you make $100,000 as a welder?

Welding lab assistants typically do not earn $100,000 annually, as this salary level is more common for experienced welders with specialized skills, certifications, and extensive work experience. Entry-level or general welding roles usually pay significantly less, though high-demand fields like pipeline welding or underwater welding can offer higher salaries. Achieving a $100,000 income generally requires advanced skills, certifications, and often working in high-paying industries or locations.
What are popular job titles related to Welding Lab Assistant jobs in Virginia? For Welding Lab Assistant jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Welding Lab Assistant jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Welding Lab Assistant jobs in Virginia are:
Infographic showing various Welding Lab Assistant job openings in Virginia as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 41% Full Time, 27% Part Time, and 32% Contract. Highlights an 66% In-person, and 34% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $41,752 per year, or $20.1 per hour.

NME Technologist

BWXT

Lynchburg, VA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Retirement, PTO

Posted 21 days ago


Job description

At BWX Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: BWXT), we are People Strong, Innovation Driven. A U.S.-based company, BWXT is a Fortune 1000 and Defense News Top 100 manufacturing and engineering innovator that provides safe and effective nuclear solutions for global security, clean energy, environmental restoration, nuclear medicine and space exploration. With more than 7,800 employees, BWXT has 14 major operating sites in the U.S., Canada and the U.K. We are the sole manufacturer of naval nuclear reactors for U.S. submarines and aircraft carriers. Our company supplies precision manufactured components, services and fuel for the commercial nuclear power industry across four continents. Our joint ventures provide environmental restoration and operations management at a dozen U.S. Department of Energy and NASA facilities. BWXT’s technology is driving advances in medical radioisotope production in North America and microreactors for various defense and space applications. For more information, visit www.bwxt.com. Follow us on LinkedIn, X, Facebook and Instagram.

Welcome to BWXT
We believe in empowering our employees and cultivating a dynamic workplace that fosters growth and collaboration. Whether you’re an experienced professional or just starting your career, you'll find opportunities to challenge yourself, learn from seasoned experts, and contribute to nuclear innovation. We require a diverse range of skills to support our work in the markets that drive our business and welcome candidates from all backgrounds and life stages who are passionate about making a difference.

BWXT is People Strong, Innovation Driven - be part of BWXT’s innovation hub. BWXT’s Lynchburg Technology Center (LTC) consists of five discrete laboratory operations, namely, Nuclear Materials Engineering (NME), Radioisotope & Analytical Chemistry Laboratory (RACL), Nondestructive Evaluation & Inspection Systems (NDE&IS), Metallurgical Laboratory (MET), and Advanced Fuel Development (ADVF). This organization operates under an NRC license with radioactive facilities dealing with special nuclear material as well as by-products material. 

If you are looking for a career where your experience is valued, innovative thinking is fostered, and barrier-free teamwork is embraced every day, then this opportunity is for you.

Position Overview:
As our NME Technologist, you will be responsible for supporting the Nuclear Materials Inspection Services (NMIS) group at LTC. The NME Technologist is responsible for safe operations in high risk, high consequence radiological laboratories. Daily work processes for this role may include root cause, failure analysis, inspections, operation of analytical instrumentation, machining, and welding.

Location:

The position will be based on site in Lynchburg, VA at LTC.

Your Day to Day as an NME Technologist:

  • Operate in a radiologically high dose or contamination-controlled environment.
  • Perform root cause and/or failure analysis for project-specific needs and report results to project engineering team.
  • Operate analytical lab equipment (hardness testers, microscopes/cameras, comparators), including data capture and transfer.
  • Assist, develop, and oversee operation of equipment for project specific radiological work.
  • Maintain a strong commitment to safety culture and willingness to ensure compliance with all codes and standards.
  • Perform preventative and standard maintenance for assigned area equipment.
  • Implement continuous improvement initiatives within their areas of responsibility.
  • Implement process improvements for safety and efficiency.

Required Qualifications:

  • A minimum of a High School diploma or equivalent is required.
  • A minimum of six (6) years of relevant experience in the nuclear industry is required. A degree may substitute for experience.
  • Must be a US Citizen.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) clearance.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • United States Navy ELT is highly preferred.
  • Radiation Control Technician Qualification School (RCTQS) or equivalent is highly preferred.
  • NAVSEA Metallographer or Quality Assurance Qualification is preferred.
  • Experience with the following:
    • root cause and/or failure analysis.
    • control of evolutions in a radiologically controlled environment.
    • performing metallographic preparation / metallography.
    • machining (EDM, CNC mill, lathe) and/or welding.
    • mechanical testing.

What We Offer:

  • Competitive salary and benefits package, including health, dental, and retirement plans.
  • Flexible work schedules and paid time off to promote a healthy work-life balance.
  • Professional development opportunities, including mentorship programs and sponsorship for continuing education.
  • An inclusive atmosphere that celebrates new perspectives and supports collaboration between different generations.
  • The chance to be part of a mission-driven organization making a positive impact on the future of energy.
  • Opportunities for continuous learning and training to grow throughout your career!

Pay: $64,000.00 - $119,000.00

The base salary range for this position in Virginia (US-VA) at the start of employment is expected to be between $64,000.00 and $119,000.00 per year. However, the base salary offered is based on local job market factors, and may vary further depending on factors specific to the selected job candidate, such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations. Subject to these considerations, the total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, such as an annual cash incentive in addition to a full range of medical, retirement, and/or other benefits. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided at such time the selected job candidate receives an offer of employment. If hired, the selected job candidate will be employed 'at-will,’ unless employed at a location and in a position subject to a collective bargaining agreement.  The company further reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment, compensation or benefit program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, company or individual department/team performance, and other market factors.

As a federal government contractor, BWX Technologies, Inc. and any subsidiaries, affiliates and related entities (“BWXT” or the “Company”) complies with all federal, state, and local laws and customer requirements regarding health and safety protocols.  As such, all BWXT new hires will be required to adhere to applicable Company health and safety requirements within the workplace as a condition of employment.

All candidates must be U.S. citizens. Selected applicants are required to successfully complete a pre-employment check and drug screening. In addition, the position may require the ability to obtain and maintain applicable federal eligibility requirements for access to classified/sensitive information or matter which involves an extensive criminal and financial background investigation, drug test, previous employment, and reference verifications.

BWXT is committed to the concept of Equal Employment Opportunity. We have established procedures to ensure that all personnel actions such as recruitment, compensation, career development, benefits, company-sponsored training and social recreational programs are administered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, protected veteran or other protected status.

BWX Technologies, Inc. and its affiliates and subsidiaries (BWXT) is not responsible for and does not accept any liability for fees or other costs associated with resumes or candidates presented by recruiters or employment agencies, unless a binding, written recruitment agreement between BWXT and the recruiter or agency exists prior to the presentation of candidates or resumes to BWXT and includes the specific services, job openings, and fees to be paid (“Agreement”). BWXT may consider any candidate for whom a recruiter or agency has submitted an unsolicited resume and explicitly reserves the right to hire such candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency unless an Agreement is in place prior to presentation and such Agreement explicitly encompasses the job opening for which such fees or costs are sought. An email, verbal or other informal contact with any person within BWXT will not create a binding agreement. Agencies or recruiters without an Agreement are directed not to contact any hiring managers of BWXT with recruiting inquiries or resumes. Recruiters and agencies interested in partnering with BWXT may contact BWXT’s Talent Acquisition team at talent_acquisition@bwxt.com.