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Job Description

Overview

The Welder position involves welding various pre-fitted assemblies for Columbia-class submarines, Virginia-class submarines, Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers, and associated fixtures, adhering to NAVSEA and/or AWS D1.1 specifications.

Responsibilities

  • Weld proficiently in all positions with minimal defects.
  • Determine the correct equipment and method based on requirements.
  • Perform basic welding machine setup and troubleshooting.
  • Read and interpret welding symbols.
  • Have basic knowledge of grinding, gouging, and weld repair.
  • Stay focused and on-task at all times.
  • Complete jobs within budget and timeline.
  • Accept constructive criticism and show improvement.
  • Comply with all safety requirements and protocols.
  • Perform other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

  • Successful completion of 7 weld tests: FCAW (2G, 3G, and 4G); GWAW-Pulsed (2G, 3G, and 4G); GMAW-Spray (2G).
  • Successful completion of Pegasus Welder Workmanship Training (WWT).
  • Successful completion of Pegasus Welder I Performance Qualification Standards within 90 days of hire.
  • High school diploma or GED.
  • Successful completion of an accredited trade school welding program or equivalent, or 2-years demonstrated practical AWS D1.1 welding experience, or a comparable combination of education and experience.
  • Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals.
  • Ability to apply advanced mathematical concepts and operations.
  • Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
  • Welding Certification from an accredited welding training program or technical program preferred.
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How this job compares in Ladson, SC

Pay in context

This employer didn't publish a rate. For reference, welding jobs across South Carolina currently run a median of $26/hr in our index, with the middle half of them falling between $22–$34/hr across 54 postings with published pay. That median is a reasonable floor to anchor on when a recruiter asks what you're looking for.

The local market in Ladson, SC

Ladson, SC is a small market in our index: 2 other active welding openings alongside this one, from 2 employers. Across South Carolina as a whole we're tracking 102 other active welding openings from 78 employers. With this few local postings, most welders here end up either commuting or looking at travel work. Browse welding jobs across South Carolina.

Keel currently has 2 other openings live in South Carolina, which is usually a sign of either steady growth or steady turnover — worth asking which in the interview.

The most active employers in South Carolina at the moment, by number of open welding reqs, are Aerotek (6), ORION (3), and Vertiv (3). Volume like that usually means either a genuine expansion or a staffing agency working several client sites — worth knowing which before you apply.

Within South Carolina, the best-paying metros we track by median hourly rate are Aiken at $32/hr and Anderson at $27/hr. If you can relocate or commute, that spread is worth factoring in.

What you'll be running

This posting calls for MIG and Flux-Core work. MIG (GMAW) feeds a continuous wire electrode through a shielding-gas nozzle. It lays down metal fast and is forgiving on clean material, which is why it dominates production and light fabrication work. Flux-cored (FCAW) runs a hollow wire filled with flux, combining MIG-like deposition rates with the outdoor tolerance of stick. It is the workhorse on heavy structural steel and shipbuilding, where thick sections and long welds reward speed.

Certifications this posting mentions

  • AWS D1.1 — the American Welding Society's Structural Welding Code for steel. It governs almost all building and structural steel work in the US, so a D1.1 qualification is the baseline credential for construction and ironworking.
  • NAVSEA — the Naval Sea Systems Command welding standards used on US Navy shipbuilding and repair. Qualification is yard-specific and typically comes with a background check.
  • 3G / 4G — plate position tests — 3G is welded vertically, 4G overhead. Together they demonstrate you can hold a puddle against gravity, and they are the common entry qualifications for structural and production shops.

Read straight from this posting's text. Confirm the exact qualification the employer wants before you test — requirements vary by shop even under the same code.

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Pay figures are medians computed from live postings in the Welding Pros index, not from survey data, and they move as employers post. Welder figures were last recalculated when this page was built.