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Job Description

Overview

The Test Welder / Lab Technician is responsible for welding test assemblies for qualification and conformance testing of ESAB welding consumables for military orders. This role involves preparing setups, welding in various positions, evaluating weld quality, and operating laboratory equipment.

Responsibilities

  • Responsible for all aspects related to welding of test assemblies for qualification and conformance testing.
  • Prepares own setup of machine, plate, and weld specimens for completion of tests.
  • Welds test specimens in flat, vertical, and overhead positions to determine operating characteristics.
  • Selects effective parameters and techniques within the guidelines of governing specifications.
  • Works with an engineer to evaluate weld quality and conformance to customer sales testing requirements.
  • Notifies supervisor or engineers of electrodes that do not meet weldability standards.
  • Operates a variety of laboratory equipment.
  • Performs a variety of laboratory tests of materials.
  • Assists supervision in scheduling work flow and ensuring assignments are completed.
  • Completes other projects as directed by the Test Lab Supervisor.
  • Adheres to all safe work practices and safety policies.

Requirements

  • Minimum of High School diploma or equivalent.
  • 5-8 years of job-related experience in welding.
  • Excellent skills in all types of welding and knowledge of metals.
  • Ability to determine technique and equipment to be used.
  • Must be able to weld MIG, TIG, and stick in all positions.
  • Experience with Oxy-fuel process.
  • Familiarity with various specifications governing weld metal testing.
  • Good knowledge of mathematics and/or mechanical aptitude.
  • Computer use required.

Benefits

Vision
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How this job compares in Hanover, VA

Pay in context

At roughly $32/hr, this posting lands within a few percent of the $30/hr median for welding jobs across Virginia, whose middle half runs $26–$36/hr across 110 postings with published pay. Put another way, it pays more than about 60% of the comparable postings we have wage data for. In other words it is a market-rate offer, so benefits, overtime, and shift schedule are where the real difference between this and the next posting on the list shows up.

The local market in Hanover, VA

Hanover, VA is a small market in our index: 1 other active welding opening alongside this one, from 1 employer. Across Virginia as a whole we're tracking 172 other active welding openings from 115 employers. With this few local postings, most welders here end up either commuting or looking at travel work. Browse welding jobs across Virginia.

The most active employers in Virginia at the moment, by number of open welding reqs, are General Dynamics NASSCO (6), HII (6), and Colonna's Shipyard (6). Volume like that usually means either a genuine expansion or a staffing agency working several client sites — worth knowing which before you apply.

Within Virginia, the best-paying metros we track by median hourly rate are Newport News at $41/hr, Portsmouth at $37/hr, and Norfolk at $32/hr. If you can relocate or commute, that spread is worth factoring in.

What you'll be running

This posting calls for MIG, TIG, and Stick 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. TIG (GTAW) uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode with filler added by hand, giving the operator the most control of any process. It is slow, demanding, and the standard for stainless, aluminum, and anything where the bead has to look as good as it holds.

Similar openings near Hanover, VA

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