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Freeport McMoRan

Shovel/Drill Diagnostic Mechanic I

Location

Safford, AZ

Wage

$27 – $36/hr

Employment Type

Full-time

Required Skills & Certifications

MIG WeldingTIG WeldingStick Welding
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Posted on September 28, 2026

Job Description

Overview

At Freeport-McMoRan, the Shovel/Drill Diagnostic Mechanic I role involves performing diagnostics, repairs, and maintenance on various mechanical systems in a collaborative and safety-focused environment. The Safford operations, established in 2007, is recognized for its sustainable mining practices and commitment to employee growth.

Responsibilities

  • Perform system diagnostics, replacements, and repairs on electrical hydraulic systems.
  • Conduct component replacements and repairs on various machinery parts.
  • Prioritize and make decisions regarding equipment repair as needed.
  • Perform mechanical and lubrication preventative maintenance.
  • Complete Work Orders accurately.
  • Train and mentor other employees.
  • May perform welding tasks including carbon arc, plasma, Mig, Tig, and stick.
  • May operate equipment such as forklifts, cranes, and small mobile equipment.
  • Perform other duties as required.

Requirements

  • Two years of experience in mechanical/maintenance crafts or a combination of education and experience in industrial mechanical repair and maintenance.
  • Completion of academic and practical competencies required.
  • Ability to understand and apply verbal and written work and safety-related instructions and procedures in English.
  • Ability to communicate in English regarding job assignments and safety standards.
  • Proficient in layout and design and working from blueprints.
  • Ability to effectively communicate and work closely with other maintenance team members.

Benefits

  • Health Insurance
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • 401k
  • PTO

Additional Information

  • Candidates may be required to pass a medical exam.
  • Candidates must pass all required training and/or testing.
  • Employees may be required to work a non-standard schedule, which may include shift work at a 24/7 operation.
  • Freeport-McMoRan promotes a drug/alcohol-free work environment using mandatory pre-employment drug testing.

Benefits

Health Insurance
Dental
Vision
401k
PTO
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How this job compares in Safford, AZ

Pay in context

At roughly $32/hr, this posting lands within a few percent of the $30/hr median for welding jobs across Arizona, whose middle half runs $24–$37/hr across 146 postings with published pay. Put another way, it pays more than about 55% 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 Safford, AZ

This is the only active welding job we're currently tracking in Safford, AZ, which makes it worth moving on quickly — there is no local competing offer to weigh it against. Across Arizona as a whole we're tracking 379 other active welding openings from 187 employers. Browse welding jobs across Arizona.

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

The most active employers in Arizona at the moment, by number of open welding reqs, are Sundt Construction (25), Welding Shop in Phoenix, AZ (20), and EZARC (19). Volume like that usually means either a genuine expansion or a staffing agency working several client sites — worth knowing which before you apply.

Within Arizona, the best-paying metros we track by median hourly rate are Goodyear at $39/hr, Mesa at $31/hr, and Phoenix at $30/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 Safford, AZ

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