Welder (MIG/TIG) - Defense & Industrial Fabrication

MIG/TIG Welder Needed for Defense & Industrial Fabrication Projects | Norfolk, VA

Join a team where your precision matters. We’re hiring MIG/TIG welders to support custom metal fabrication for defense, maritime, and industrial customers. You’ll work on mission-critical parts that require accuracy, discipline, and pride in every weld.

Learn by doing, grow your skills, and contribute to high-spec work that makes a difference. If you’ve got MIG or TIG training, we’ve got real work—with tools, mentorship, and projects that matter.

This is a fast-paced, hands-on role—ideal for welders who’ve completed trade school or gained basic shop experience and are ready to take the next step. You’ll weld to spec, follow safety procedures, and grow into more complex work as part of a mission-driven fabrication team committed to quality, performance, and real-world impact.

📄Job Type: Full-Time

💲 Pay: $18–$22 per hour (based on experience)

📍 Location: Norfolk Plant

🕒 Schedule Options | Available Shifts:  

Monday–Thursday Day Shift | 4x10

Monday–Thursday Afternoon Shift | 4x10

Monday–Thursday Evening Shift | 4x10

Tuesday–Friday Day Shift | 4x10

Tuesday–Friday Afternoon Shift | 4x10

Tuesday–Friday Evening Shift | 4x10

Friday–Sunday Weekend Shift | 3x12

🏭 About TST Fab & Machine

TST Fab & Machine is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business based in Norfolk, Virginia, specializing in high-spec metal fabrication and machining for the defense, maritime, and industrial sectors. We are a mission-driven team known for precision, reliability, and responsiveness.

Our welders play a direct role in shaping critical parts used in shipbuilding, infrastructure, and defense support systems. We take pride in delivering compliant, performance-ready work on time—and we’re looking for teammates who take the same pride in their craft.

🎯 Position Summary

As a MIG/TIG Welder at TST, you’ll be part of a mission-focused team responsible for welding metal components and assemblies per technical drawings and customer specs. You’ll work with carbon steel, stainless, and aluminum, preparing materials, interpreting blueprints, and maintaining a clean, safe work area throughout each shift.

You’ll grow your skills through hands-on learning and mentorship in a dynamic shop where every weld supports something bigger.

🔧Key Responsibilities

• Perform MIG and/or TIG welding on metal components per job specifications  
• Read and interpret fabrication blueprints/drawings, welding symbols, and technical instructions; take accurate measurements to plan layouts and welding procedures
• Determine appropriate welding equipment and methods based on material and project requirements
• Set up components and prepare materials for welding, including cutting, grinding, fit-up, and layout 
  • Cut materials to match measurements
  • Operate angle grinders and prep tools to prepare parts
  • Align and clamp components using calipers, rulers, and fixtures
• Weld components using manual or semi-automatic processes in various positions (vertical, horizontal, or overhead)
• Inspect welded surfaces and structures to ensure quality and discover flaws
• Ensure welds meet quality standards, contract specifications, and required tolerances
• Work with shop leads to maintain job flow and meet production schedule deadlines
• Follow all safety protocols and maintain a clean, organized, and hazard-free work environment
• Maintain tools and equipment in proper working condition to ensure safe operation

✅  Skills & Experience

• MIG and/or TIG welding - all levels of experience needed, preferably in a fabrication or manufacturing environment 
• Familiarity with additional welding equipment, processes and procedures (e.g., flux core, fit-up, basic fabrication) is a plus
• Ability to read and interpret fabrication blueprints, welding symbols, and technical documents drawings
• Skilled in the use of electrical and manual tools (e.g., grinders, saws, calipers, squares)
• Basic understanding of welding tolerances, quality standards, and inspection procedures
• Strong attention to detail, craftsmanship, and safety protocols
• Willingness to wear appropriate PPE and follow all safety procedures 
• Reliable work ethic, punctuality, and communication skills
• Trade school completion, welding apprenticeship, or equivalent hands-on training preferred
• AWS certification or similar credentials are a plus (not required)
• Reliable time management and communication skills
• Proficient in English

Why Join Our Team

✔️ Competitive pay based on experience
✔️ Flexible Schedule Options: 4x10 Day, 4x10 Evening, 4x10 Night, and Weekend Shifts 
✔️ $500–$1000 Employee Referral Bonus
✔️ Company-paid medical insurance (employee only)
✔️ Dental & vision benefits
✔️ 401(k) with company match
✔️ Opportunities for growth and advancement
✔️ Supportive, safety-focused, veteran-owned workplace

TST Fab & Machine is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace, welcoming all qualified individuals regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics.

🔧 Ready to make your work count? Apply today.
Join a company where your skills are trusted, your standards are respected, and your impact is real.