Job Description

This contract-to-hire Welder position focuses on MIG welding aluminum in a fully on-site manufacturing environment. You will weld aluminum components using .035 wire, assemble trailer parts, and work both inside trailer bins and on the shop floor. You will read and interpret blueprints to determine weld types, measurements, and positions, contributing directly to the production of high-quality aluminum feed transportation equipment.

Responsibilities

• Perform MIG welding on aluminum using .035 wire, ensuring strong, clean, and consistent welds.
• Climb into trailer bins and weld aluminum parts together in confined and elevated positions as needed.
• Stand for extended periods while welding and tacking various parts of trailers to prepare them for final assembly.
• Read and interpret blueprints to determine weld locations, weld types, measurements, and welding positions.
• Measure and mark materials accurately using a tape measure to ensure precise fit and alignment of components.
• Assemble and fit aluminum and steel parts prior to welding, following production specifications and work instructions.
• Work collaboratively within the welding department and coordinate with service and final assembly departments as required.
• Follow all safety procedures and maintain a clean, organized work area in a general shop environment.
• Adapt to different shifts after initial training and maintain consistent productivity and quality across assigned hours.
• Participate in performance evaluations at designated intervals and incorporate feedback to improve skills and efficiency.

Essential Skills

• At least 6 months of MIG welding experience.
• At least 1 year of on-the-job welding experience in a production or similar environment.
• At least 6 months of experience welding steel or aluminum.
• Proficiency in MIG welding aluminum using .035 wire.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints and welding symbols.
• Ability to accurately read and use a tape measure for measurements and layout.
• Experience with welding in various positions, including inside trailers and on standing platforms.
• Attention to detail to ensure weld quality, accuracy of measurements, and adherence to specifications.
• Ability to work different shifts as required by production needs.
• Physical ability to climb into trailers and work in a general shop environment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with aluminum welding in a manufacturing or fabrication setting.
• Experience in fabrication, including fitting and assembling components prior to welding.
• Familiarity with additional welding processes such as flux core and TIG welding.
• Strong blueprint reading skills, including interpretation of dimensions, weld symbols, and assembly details.
• Ability to work effectively in a team within service, welding, and final assembly departments.
• Solid work ethic and willingness to learn quickly during initial training on the first shift.

Why Work Here?

The organization offers a comprehensive benefits package and a culture that rewards performance and growth. Team members benefit from profit sharing, competitive pay with strong raise potential, and structured 90-day and 6-month performance evaluations to recognize and support development. Employees receive paid vacation and holidays, access to 401(k) and Roth retirement plans, and medical, dental, and vision insurance. The company also provides paid group life and AD&D coverage and offers opportunities across multiple shifts to support different scheduling needs.

Work Environment

The role is fully on-site in a manufacturing facility on the southwest side of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, producing a broad range of aluminum feed transportation equipment. The environment resembles a general shop, typically cool in the winter and warm in the summer. The facility includes three main departments: a service department for repairing existing equipment, a welding department for fabricating and welding equipment, and a final assembly department for completing trailer hookups. All new hires train on the first shift for the first couple of weeks, typically working either 5:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. or 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. After training, employees may move to other shifts, which include a second shift and a third shift from 9:30 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., depending on production needs and individual learning pace. The position requires working in a hands-on, industrial setting with standard welding and fabrication equipment and climbing into trailers as part of daily tasks.