Welder Lead

Job description

At Tesco Controls (a UFT company), our culture is grounded in the idea that the how we achieve results is just as important as the results themselves. Our winning behaviors guide the way we work, collaborate, and grow—both as individual employees and as a team. Our core winning behaviors are to Build Relationships, have a Relentless Drive for Results, to Communicate with Integrity and Focus, and to Be a Mentor, Teacher, Learner. These behaviors are more than words—they are the foundation of our success and continued growth. Here, you’ll join a stable, growing company where your work directly supports cleaner water, stronger communities, and critical infrastructure across the country. If you want meaningful work, real growth opportunities, and a team that takes pride in doing the right thing—you’ll find it here. Apply today and help power the systems that keep our world running. The Welder Lead is responsible for leading and coordinating the daily activities of welding and fabrication personnel within the metal shop. This position performs advanced welding and fabrication work while providing direction, training, and support to team members to ensure production goals, quality standards, and safety requirements are met. ### What you'll do: Essential Duties and Responsibilities - Lead and coordinate the daily activities of welding personnel. - Assign work tasks and monitor workflow to ensure production schedules are achieved. - Perform complex welding and fabrication work using MIG, TIG, stick, flux-core, or other welding processes as required. - Interpret and work from blueprints, engineering drawings, specifications, and work orders. - Ensure products meet quality standards and customer specifications. - Inspect welds and finished products for accuracy, workmanship, and compliance with required standards. - Provide on-the-job training, coaching, and technical guidance to welding staff. - Monitor employee adherence to safety procedures and PPE requirements. - Troubleshoot fabrication and welding issues and recommend corrective actions. - Coordinate with supervisors, engineering, quality, and production teams regarding project requirements and schedules. - Assist with maintaining welding equipment, tools, and shop machinery. - Identify opportunities to improve productivity, efficiency, quality, and workplace safety. - Assist with material planning and inventory control as needed. - Complete production, quality, and maintenance documentation accurately. - Perform other duties as assigned. Supervisory Responsibilities - Provide day-to-day leadership and work direction to welders and fabrication employees. - Assist management with employee training and skill development. - Monitor employee performance and provide feedback to supervision. - Support compliance with company policies and procedures. - May assist in interviewing, onboarding, and evaluating employees. ### What you bring: - High school diploma or equivalent required. - Welding certification from an accredited program preferred. - Minimum of 5 years of welding and fabrication experience in a manufacturing environment. - Prior leadership, lead worker, or supervisory experience preferred. - Experience reading blueprints and technical drawings required. - Advanced knowledge of welding techniques, fabrication methods, and metalworking practices. - Ability to read and interpret complex blueprints and engineering drawings. - Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills. - Knowledge of welding codes, quality standards, and safe operating procedures. - Effective leadership, communication, and training skills. - Ability to prioritize work and manage multiple projects simultaneously. - Proficiency with measuring and inspection tools. - Basic computer skills for production reporting and documentation. - Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, climb, and work in varying positions throughout the shift. - Frequently lift up to 50 pounds and occasionally move heavier materials with assistance or equipment. - Ability to safely operate welding, cutting, grinding, and fabrication equipment. - Ability to wear required PPE, including welding helmet, gloves, safety glasses, hearing protection, and steel-toed footwear.