Job Description

Overview

We are seeking a highly skilled Orbital Welder to join our team in the semiconductor manufacturing sector. The successful candidate will be responsible for performing precision orbital welding on small-diameter tubing and components, ensuring high-quality, leak-proof joints that meet strict industry standards.

Responsibilities

  • Perform orbital welding on tubing and components used in semiconductor equipment and facilities.
  • Set up, operate, and maintain orbital welding equipment according to specifications.
  • Interpret engineering drawings, welding procedures, and technical instructions.
  • Ensure welds meet quality standards, including leak-tightness and dimensional accuracy.
  • Conduct visual and dimensional inspections of welded joints.
  • Maintain detailed documentation of welding activities, inspections, and test results.
  • Follow strict safety protocols and maintain a clean, organized work environment.
  • Collaborate with engineering and quality assurance teams to troubleshoot and improve welding processes.
  • Adhere to industry standards such as ASME, AWS, and customer-specific requirements.

Requirements

  • Proven experience as an orbital welder, preferably in the semiconductor, aerospace, or pharmaceutical industries.
  • Strong understanding of orbital welding equipment and techniques.
  • Ability to read and interpret technical drawings and specifications.
  • Knowledge of welding codes and standards relevant to the industry.
  • Excellent manual dexterity and attention to detail.
  • Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work independently.
  • High school diploma or equivalent; technical training or certifications in welding preferred.
  • Possess the necessary English language skills, both verbally and in writing, to effectively perform the responsibilities of the position.

Additional Information

  • Cleanroom or controlled environment conditions.
  • Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) required.
  • Ability to stand, kneel, and work in confined spaces for extended periods.

How this job compares in Austin, TX

Pay in context

This employer didn't publish a rate. For reference, welding jobs in Austin, TX currently run a median of $30/hr in our index, with the middle half of them falling between $24–$37/hr across 31 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 Austin, TX

We're tracking 34 other active welding openings in Austin, TX right now, from 9 different employers. 6 of them were added in the last week. Across Texas as a whole we're tracking 1,009 other active welding openings from 474 employers. A metro this active generally means you have real leverage — employers here are competing for the same welders. Browse every welding job in Austin, or widen the search to Texas.

The most active employers in Texas at the moment, by number of open welding reqs, are Welding Shop in Austin, TX (27), Austin Industries (26), and Welding Shop in Houston, TX (21). Volume like that usually means either a genuine expansion or a staffing agency working several client sites — worth knowing which before you apply.

Within Texas, the best-paying metros we track by median hourly rate are Midlothian at $38/hr, Pasadena at $36/hr, and Dallas at $35/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.

Certifications this posting mentions

  • ASME Section IX — the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code qualification. It covers welding on pressure-retaining equipment — boilers, vessels, and process piping — where a failed weld is a safety incident rather than a rework ticket.

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.

Similar openings near Austin, TX

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