Job Description

At Tenneco, we don’t follow industry standards; we set them, and we don’t settle for being best-in-class because we hustle to be better than best-in-class. Whether it’s our Core Values – radical candor, simplify, organizational velocity, tenacious execution and win – or our Get Stuff Done (GSD) mindset, we’re determined to become the most trusted partner and best manufacturer and distributor to the transportation industry.

With a product portfolio as expansive as it is innovative, an obsessive commitment to quality and excellence, and a global presence, we’re all about getting stuff done, so we can win.

How do we make it happen? Through the Tenneco Way. Fueled by our Core Values, a winning mindset and a relentless commitment to excellence, the Tenneco Way is how we win. It’s what keeps Team Tenneco bold, driven, and unapologetically focused on pushing past limits and redefining success.

Here, you’ll work alongside a team of relentless problem-solvers who are committed to making a tangible impact. If you’re ready to break boundaries, deliver results, and enjoy the ride along the way, you’ll thrive here.

Want to learn more about who we are? Check out our website to discover the Tenneco Way

Advanced MIG/TIG Welders – Stainless Steel Fabrication

Tenneco South Bend is an established manufacturer that is expanding and seeking highly skilled MIG/TIG Welders to join our growing team.

We are looking for welders who take pride in craftsmanship, hold themselves to high standards, take ownership of their work, and consistently deliver clean, accurate stainless steel welds in multiple positions while supporting and mentoring less experienced team members.

Advanced Welders start at $30/hour and progress to $35/hour based on demonstrated skills, weld test results, certifications, and overall performance. An additional $0.50/hour shift premium is paid for second and third shifts. We are hiring for all shifts.

If you enjoy challenging fabrication work, value quality and safety and want to join a stable employer that invests in its people, we’d like to hear from you.

Why Experienced Welders Choose Tenneco?

A Workplace Built for Skilled Trades Professionals

Clean, well-lit indoor manufacturing facility Advanced stainless steel welding applications Stable, year-round employment with an industry leader Strong team-oriented and continuous improvement culture Behavior-based safety-first environment Opportunities to lead, mentor, and share expertise with the next generation of welders. Workplace where craftsmanship, quality, and expertise are valued

Benefits - Starting On Day One

Medical (PPO and High Deductible plans) Vision (basic and enhanced options) and Dental Life Insurance and Critical Illness Coverage Pet Insurance and Identity Theft Protection 401(k) with enhanced contribution and company match

What We're Looking For

Master Welder Qualifications

Advanced MIG welding experience required TIG welding and stainless steel experience strongly preferred Proven ability to weld stainless steel to demanding quality standards Ability to weld in flat, horizontal, vertical, and overhead positions Ability to read complex blueprints, engineering drawings, and welding specifications Experience identifying and correcting weld defects Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills Commitment to craftsmanship, safety, and quality Demonstrated leadership and willingness to mentor less experienced welders Willingness to become crane certified Reliable, team-focused mindset - - - - - - - - - - - -

Job Description

General Summary

This position is responsible for performing high-quality MIG/TIG welding of stainless steel components in multiple welding positions. The Master Welder applies advanced welding techniques to meet engineering specifications, performs weld inspections and repairs, and supports the production of Clean Air components. Work may include confined spaces, elevated heights, and overhead crane operation. This position also supports a safe workplace and minimizes environmental impact by following all Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) policies and procedures.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Perform MIG/TIG welding on stainless steel components per engineering drawings and Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS) Weld in flat, horizontal, vertical, and overhead positions Fabricate, assemble, and repair structural steel components Inspect welds for quality, penetration, and compliance; repair defects as needed Notify appropriate personnel of defects in a timely manner Perform safety checks and preventative maintenance on equipment Operate overhead cranes and lifting equipment safely Weld in confined spaces and at heights while following all safety protocols Mentor, train, and support developing welders Pass Tenneco weld certification testing when required Weld multiple joint types including filler, lap, corner, groove, and multi-pass welds Assist in troubleshooting welding and fabrication issues to improve quality and productivity

General Duties And Responsibilities

Safety Expectations

Promote and support a safety-first culture Identify and report unsafe conditions and stop work if necessary Follow all Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) policies and ISO 14001 standards Understand environmental impacts of work and ensure compliance

Performance Expectations

Address non-conforming work and quality issues promptly Stop work on suspect product until issues are corrected Demonstrate accountability and ownership of results Support and contribute to 5S and continuous improvement initiatives Serve as a technical resource for welding best practices and quality standards

Core Expectations

Maintain high standards of safety, quality, and integrity Demonstrate continuous learning and improvement Maintain strong attendance and punctuality Communicate respectfully and constructively Support leadership and plant goals Perform other duties as assigned

Job Requirements

Education

High school diploma or equivalent required Technical school, vocational training, or welding certifications preferred

Experience

5+ years of welding experience stainless steel TIG welding experience Structural fabrication experience Prior mentoring or lead welder experience

Ideal Candidates Have Experience With

Stainless steel fabrication Structural welding applications Multi-pass welding Groove, corner, lap, and filler joints Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS) Weld inspection and quality verification Overhead crane operation Manufacturing and heavy industrial environments

Physical Demands

Lift, push, and pull up to 50 lbs. Frequent standing, bending, reaching, and climbing Ability to work at heights (8–10+ feet) Ability to work in confined or awkward spaces Exposure to industrial conditions including noise, fumes, heat, and welding environments Ability to wear required PPE including respirators, welding gear, and fall-protection equipment

Join Tenneco South Bend and put your welding expertise to work in a facility that values quality craftsmanship, safety, and the skilled trades professionals who make our success possible.

Equal opportunity employer as to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities

How this job compares in South Bend, IN

Pay in context

This employer didn't publish a rate. For reference, welding jobs across Indiana currently run a median of $24/hr in our index, with the middle half of them falling between $21–$29/hr across 66 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 South Bend, IN

South Bend, IN is a small market in our index: 2 other active welding openings alongside this one, from 2 employers. Across Indiana as a whole we're tracking 146 other active welding openings from 114 employers. With this few local postings, most welders here end up either commuting or looking at travel work. Browse welding jobs across Indiana.

Tenneco currently has 1 other opening live in Indiana, which is usually a sign of either steady growth or steady turnover — worth asking which in the interview.

The most active employers in Indiana at the moment, by number of open welding reqs, are Aerotek (8), TEAM, Inc. (4), and Forest River (4). Volume like that usually means either a genuine expansion or a staffing agency working several client sites — worth knowing which before you apply.

Within Indiana, the best-paying metros we track by median hourly rate are Indianapolis at $26/hr, Fort Wayne at $24/hr, and Middlebury at $21/hr. If you can relocate or commute, that spread is worth factoring in.

What you'll be running

This posting calls for MIG and TIG 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 South Bend, IN

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