Metal Operator Jobs: Welding, Soldering, Brazing

Also called: Arc and Gas Welder, Arc Welding Machine Operator, Billet Assembler, Braze Operator, Brazing Machine Operator

Metal Operator Jobs: Welding, Soldering, Brazing

Varies

estimated salary

Welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders set up, operate or tend welding, soldering, or brazing machines or robots that weld, braze, solder, or heat treat metal products, components, or assemblies. Includes workers who operate laser cutters or laser-beam machines.

  • Inspect, measure, or test completed metal workpieces to ensure conformance to specifications, using measuring and testing devices.
  • Read blueprints, work orders, or production schedules to determine product or job instructions or specifications.
  • Assemble, align, and clamp workpieces into holding fixtures to bond, heat-treat, or solder fabricated metal components.
  • Set up, operate, or tend welding machines that join or bond components to fabricate metal products or assemblies.
  • Lay out, fit, or connect parts to be bonded, calculating production measurements, as necessary.
  • Correct problems by adjusting controls or by stopping machines and opening holding devices.
  • Give directions to other workers regarding machine set-up and use.
  • Select, position, align, and bolt jigs, holding fixtures, guides, or stops onto machines, using measuring instruments and hand tools.
  • Mark weld points and positions of components on workpieces, using rules, squares, templates, or scribes.
  • Transfer components, metal products, or assemblies, using moving equipment.
  • Clean, lubricate, maintain, and adjust equipment to maintain efficient operation, using air hoses, cleaning fluids, and hand tools.
  • Prepare metal surfaces or workpieces, using hand-operated equipment, such as grinders, cutters, or drills.
  • Conduct trial runs before welding, soldering, or brazing, and make necessary adjustments to equipment.
  • Remove completed workpieces or parts from machinery, using hand tools.
  • Tend auxiliary equipment used in welding processes.
  • Load or feed workpieces into welding machines to join or bond components.
  • Observe meters, gauges, or machine operations to ensure that soldering or brazing processes meet specifications.
  • Turn and press knobs and buttons or enter operating instructions into computers to adjust and start welding machines.
  • Compute and record settings for new work, applying knowledge of metal properties, principles of welding, and shop mathematics.
  • Set dials and timing controls to regulate electrical current, gas flow pressure, heating or cooling cycles, or shut-off.
  • Record operational information on specified production reports.
  • Select torch tips, alloys, flux, coil, tubing, or wire, according to metal types or thicknesses, data charts, or records.
  • Fill hoppers and position spouts to direct flow of flux or manually brush flux onto seams of workpieces.
  • Start, monitor, and adjust robotic welding production lines.
  • Devise or build fixtures or jigs used to hold parts in place during welding, brazing, or soldering.
  • Add chemicals or materials to workpieces or machines to facilitate bonding or to cool workpieces.
  • Immerse completed workpieces into water or acid baths to cool and clean components.
  • Dress electrodes, using tip dressers, files, emery cloths, or dressing wheels.
  • Anneal finished workpieces to relieve internal stress.
Work Context

Work Context information for this career will be available soon.

Work Activities
  • Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
  • Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
  • Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
  • Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
  • Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment — Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
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Detailed Work Activities
  • Enter commands, instructions, or specifications into equipment.
  • Operate welding equipment.
  • Load materials into production equipment.
  • Feed materials or products into or through equipment.
  • Direct operational or production activities.
  • Operate welding equipment.
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Knowledge

Mathematics
  • Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Skills

Operation Monitoring
  • Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Active Listening
  • Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking
  • Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking
  • Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
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Abilities

Near Vision
  • The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Control Precision
  • The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
Manual Dexterity
  • The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
Problem Sensitivity
  • The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
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Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Persistence
  • Initiative
  • Leadership
  • Cooperation
  • Concern for Others
  • Social Orientation
  • Self Control
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Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Data base user interface and query software
  • Data entry software Hot Technology
Enterprise resource planning ERP software
  • SAP software Hot Technology
  • Enterprise resource planning ERP software Hot Technology
Word processing software
  • Microsoft Word Hot Technology
  • Word processing software
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