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CalmHR Inc

Skippers Shop Welder I

Location

Emporia, VA

Employment Type

Full-time

Required Skills & Certifications

MIG Welding
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Posted on November 1, 2026

Job Description

Overview

First Response Rail Service, Inc. is a privately owned company based in Skippers, Virginia, specializing in rail asset management and logistics since 2004. They are seeking a dedicated and skilled Welder/Fitter to perform repairs on large metal containers while prioritizing safety and quality.

Responsibilities

  • Fit metal sheets onto large metal containers.
  • Perform MIG welding on large metal containers.
  • Set up and maintain welding equipment, including selecting appropriate settings.
  • Inspect welds for accuracy and quality, making adjustments as necessary.
  • Operate hand and power tools to prepare materials for welding.
  • Maintain a clean and organized work area.
  • Follow safety protocols and regulations to maintain a safe working environment.

Requirements

  • Minimum of 2 years of MIG welding experience.
  • Strong mechanical background.
  • Ability to use basic hand tools.
  • Ability to bend, squat, twist, and walk throughout the entire work shift.
  • Ability to work independently.
  • Ability to occasionally climb using various types of ladders.
  • Ability to work outdoors throughout the shift in all weather conditions.
  • Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
  • Ability to pass a drug screen and background check.
  • Welding certification is a plus.
  • Strong attention to detail and commitment to producing high-quality work.
  • Excellent communication and teamwork abilities.
  • Strong commitment to workplace safety.
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How this job compares in Emporia, VA

Pay in context

This employer didn't publish a rate. For reference, welding jobs across Virginia currently run a median of $31/hr in our index, with the middle half of them falling between $25–$41/hr across 95 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 Emporia, VA

Emporia, VA is a small market in our index: 2 other active welding openings alongside this one, from 1 employer. Across Virginia as a whole we're tracking 163 other active welding openings from 82 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 Innovative Refrigeration Systems, Inc. (14), General Dynamics NASSCO (10), and Atlantic Constructors, Inc. (8). 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 $40/hr, Norfolk at $30/hr, and Chesapeake at $27/hr. If you can relocate or commute, that spread is worth factoring in.

What you'll be running

This posting calls for MIG. 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.

Similar openings near Emporia, VA

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