Welder IV - 1st and 2nd Shift
Location
Aiken, SC
Employment Type
Full-time
Required Skills & Certifications
Posted on October 21, 2026
Location
Aiken, SC
Employment Type
Full-time
Posted on October 21, 2026
</br><b>Job Description </b></br><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">BAE Systems, INC, is seeking multiple Welder IVs to join our Combat Mission Systems (CMS) Operations team within the Platforms & Services segment. In this role, you will play a critical part in supporting our manufacturing operations; ensuring that high-quality components are produced safely and efficiently to meet rigorous Defense specifications. This position will execute daily assignments in weld and production as well as assist in on-the-floor training as required</span></span></span><br><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b>Key Responsibilities</b></span></span></span><ul><li style="margin-left:8px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b>Production & Assembly:</b> Load and unload parts onto weld tables and fixtures; utilize hand tools, ratchets, and air tools to securely position parts for welding. Assist with weld training as required.</span></span></span></li><li style="margin-left:8px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b>Quality Assurance:</b> Extensive understanding of visual inspection of parts and welds against quality specifications to ensure accuracy and adherence to standards. Ability to inspect own welds to all quality standards.</span></span></span></li><li style="margin-left:8px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b>Problem Solving:</b> Very Strong problem-solving skills in a shop and weld environment.</span></span></span></li><li style="margin-left:8px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b>Material Handling:</b> Safely operate all equipment to include, but not limited to, hand tools, rotating tools, forklifts, and lifting devices.</span></span></span></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom:11px"><li style="margin-left:8px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="tab-stops:list .5in"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b>Safety & Maintenance:</b> Maintain a clean, organized, and safe workspace in strict accordance with company safety protocols. Be a champion of safety for other employees.</span></span></span></span></li><li style="margin-bottom:11px; margin-left:8px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="tab-stops:list .5in"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b>Team Support:</b> Perform additional duties as required to support overall team objectives and production schedules.</span></span></span></span></li></ul></br></br><b>Required Education, Experience, & Skills </b></br><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%">Education & Certification</span></span></b></span></span></span><ul style="margin-bottom:11px"><li style="margin-left:8px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%">High school diploma or equivalent plus three years of welding experience. Or one year of welding experience with an AA (in welding or equivalent).</span></span></span></span></span></li><li style="margin-left:8px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%"> Ability to successfully pass and carry at least three BAE weld certifications (i.e.: MIG Steel, TIG Steel, MIG Aluminum, TIG Aluminum, or another BAE site specific weld certification)</span></span></span></span></span></li></ul><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%">Technical Skills</span></span></b></span></span></span><ul style="margin-bottom:11px"><li style="margin-left:8px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%">Basic understanding of Lean Manufacturing. </span></span></span></span></span></li><li style="margin-left:8px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%">Familiarity with Mil Std's, AWS, and Combat Vehicle Codes</span></span></span></span></span></li><li style="margin-left:8px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%">Understanding NDT and visual weld inspection methods</span></span></span></span></span></li><li style="margin-left:8px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%">Advanced understanding of weld discontinuities and defects, including the methods used to identify and repair them</span></span></span></span></span></li><li style="margin-left:8px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%">Advanced knowledge of different types of welds and weld joints. Advanced GD&T understanding. Advanced knowledge of multiple weld process types.</span></span></span></span></span></li><li style="margin-left:8px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%">Advanced understanding of Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS) or Work Instructions (WI).</span></span></span></span></span></li><li style="margin-left:8px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%">Advanced understanding of welding and weld processes.</span></span></span></span></span></li><li style="margin-left:8px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%">Strong to advanced level understanding of blueprints and hand measuring tools.</span></span></span></span></span></li><li style="margin-left:8px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%">Ability to read and interpret instructions and use shop math.</span></span></span></span></span></li><li style="margin-bottom:11px; margin-left:8px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%">Ability to use and manipulate welding tools.</span></span></span></span></span></li></ul><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%">Physical Requirements & Equipment Operation</span></span></b></span></span></span><ul style="margin-bottom:11px"><li style="margin-left:8px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%">Ability to lift 30 pounds and apply 30 pounds of torque to ratchets.</span></span></span></span></span></li><li style="margin-left:8px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%">Ability to operate hoists, pallet jacks, and forklifts. </span></span></span></span></span><ul style="list-style-type:circle"><li style="margin-left:8px; margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%">Note: Hoist and forklift operation requires passing a certification test.</span></span></i></span></span></span></li></ul></li></ul></br></br><b>Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills </b></br><ul style="margin-bottom:11px"><li style="margin-left:8px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%">Welding Proficiency:</span></span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%"> SME understanding of welding and welding processes.</span></span></span></span></span></li><li style="margin-left:8px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%">Technical Application:</span></span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%"> SME understanding of Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS) or Work Instructions (WI).</span></span></span></span></span></li><li style="margin-left:8px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%">Welding Theory:</span></span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%"> Knowledge of different types of welds and weld joints. SME GD&T understanding. SME knowledge of multiple weld process types. </span></span></span></span></span></li><li style="margin-bottom:11px; margin-left:8px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%">Quality Control:</span></span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%"> SME understanding of weld discontinuities and defects, including the methods used to identify and repair them.</span></span></span></span></span></li></ul><br><br><b>Pay Information</b><br>Full-Time Salary Range: $60016 - $96026<br><br>Please note: This range is based on our market pay structures. However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience. <br><br>Employee Benefits: At BAE Systems, we support our employees in all aspects of their life, including their health and financial well-being. Regular employees scheduled to work 20+ hours per week are offered: health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts; a 401(k) savings plan; disability coverage; and life and accident insurance. We also have an employee assistance program, a legal plan, and other perks including discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance. Our leave programs include paid time off, paid holidays, as well as other types of leave, including paid parental, military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave. Employees may participate in the company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards. Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics.<br></br></br><b>About BAE Systems, Inc.</b></br>BAE Systems, Inc. is a defense, aerospace, and security company headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, with more than 40,000 employees worldwide. We serve, supply, and protect those who protect us. As one of the most geographically diverse international defense companies, we deliver a full range of products and services spanning air, land, maritime, space, and cyber, including advanced electronics, intelligence solutions, and dedicated customer support.<br><br>Our culture is performance-driven and values-led, built on curiosity, creativity, and collaboration. Purpose isn't a tagline here. It's what drives us. We're developing breakthrough technologies that defend national security and make a lasting impact on our communities and our planet. When you join BAE Systems, you're not just building a career. You're contributing to a mission that truly matters.<br><br>This position will be posted for at least 5 calendar days. The posting will remain active until the position is filled, or a qualified pool of candidates is identified.
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 $23–$34/hr across 38 postings with published pay. That median is a reasonable floor to anchor on when a recruiter asks what you're looking for.
Aiken, SC currently has 4 other active welding openings besides this one, spread across 2 employers. 1 of them was added in the last week. Across South Carolina as a whole we're tracking 110 other active welding openings from 79 employers. That's enough local activity to be worth comparing two or three offers before committing. Browse every welding job in Aiken, or widen the search to South Carolina.
BAE Systems 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 Recruiting Solutions (4), Parker Hannifin (3), and Kelso Industries (3). Volume like that usually means either a genuine expansion or a staffing agency working several client sites — worth knowing which before you apply.
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.
Pay figures are medians computed from live postings in the Welding Pros index, not from survey data, and they move as employers post. Welder IV - 1st and 2nd Shift figures were last recalculated when this page was built.