Arc Welder Jobs for OPT Students
Arc Welder jobs on OPT are available across manufacturing, construction, and aerospace sectors, with most roles classified under SOC code 51-4121. Your OPT authorization must match your degree field, typically materials science, welding technology, or mechanical engineering, and STEM OPT extensions may apply for qualifying programs.
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Get Access To All JobsJob Description
The Hand Arc Welder will serve our Water Heater Division, located in Montgomery, AL.
Responsibilities
- Must be able to fabricate metal objects by welding metal parts together using arc welding equipment.
- Must be able to properly place metal objects in position where welding is to be performed.
- Must be able to set and adjust welding power source and wire feeder to ensure proper amperage and voltage output.
- Must be able to select appropriate size and composition of electrode and properly mount in holder.
- Repairs broken or cracked parts, fills holes and increases size of metal parts, using welding equipment.
- Welds in flat, horizontal, or vertical position.
- Cleans or degreases parts, using wire brush, portable grinder, or chemical bath.
- Chips or grinds off excess weld, slag, or spatter, using hand scrapper or power chipper, portable grinder or arc-cutting equipment.
- Positions workpieces and clamps together or assembles in jigs or fixtures.
- Inspects finished workpiece for conformance to specifications.
- Must be able to successfully weld parts together using a mig or stick welder.
- Must be able to rotate to other areas for ergonomic safety.
- Maintain good housekeeping in work area.
- Inspect units or parts for defects and workmanship.
- Observe all departmental safety requirements.
- Work from written or verbal orders.
- May be exposed to high noise levels.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- High School Diploma/GED.
- A minimum of one year prior work experience as a Hand Arc Welder and/or an Associate's Degree or certificate in Welding Technology is helpful but not required.
- Must be able to become a certified welder at the end of one year.
- Continuous lifting of 5-25 lbs.
- Frequent lifting of 25-60 lbs.
- Occasional lifting of 60+ lbs.
- Frequent strain due to position and unsupported lifting.
- Position will require the use of personal protective equipment to include, but not limited to, a face shield, respirator and protective clothing.
Job Description
The Hand Arc Welder will serve our Water Heater Division, located in Montgomery, AL.
Responsibilities
- Must be able to fabricate metal objects by welding metal parts together using arc welding equipment.
- Must be able to properly place metal objects in position where welding is to be performed.
- Must be able to set and adjust welding power source and wire feeder to ensure proper amperage and voltage output.
- Must be able to select appropriate size and composition of electrode and properly mount in holder.
- Repairs broken or cracked parts, fills holes and increases size of metal parts, using welding equipment.
- Welds in flat, horizontal, or vertical position.
- Cleans or degreases parts, using wire brush, portable grinder, or chemical bath.
- Chips or grinds off excess weld, slag, or spatter, using hand scrapper or power chipper, portable grinder or arc-cutting equipment.
- Positions workpieces and clamps together or assembles in jigs or fixtures.
- Inspects finished workpiece for conformance to specifications.
- Must be able to successfully weld parts together using a mig or stick welder.
- Must be able to rotate to other areas for ergonomic safety.
- Maintain good housekeeping in work area.
- Inspect units or parts for defects and workmanship.
- Observe all departmental safety requirements.
- Work from written or verbal orders.
- May be exposed to high noise levels.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- High School Diploma/GED.
- A minimum of one year prior work experience as a Hand Arc Welder and/or an Associate's Degree or certificate in Welding Technology is helpful but not required.
- Must be able to become a certified welder at the end of one year.
- Continuous lifting of 5-25 lbs.
- Frequent lifting of 25-60 lbs.
- Occasional lifting of 60+ lbs.
- Frequent strain due to position and unsupported lifting.
- Position will require the use of personal protective equipment to include, but not limited to, a face shield, respirator and protective clothing.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship as an Arc Welder
Verify your degree field aligns with the role
Arc Welding roles require your OPT authorization to match your degree. Welding technology, materials science, and mechanical engineering degrees are the strongest fits. Confirm the job description references your field before applying to avoid authorization issues.
Target manufacturers with established OPT hiring
Large manufacturers in aerospace, automotive, and industrial equipment sectors are more likely to have HR teams familiar with OPT work authorization. Smaller shops may be unfamiliar with the process, so prepare a simple one-page OPT explainer for interviews.
Highlight AWS certifications prominently
American Welding Society certifications, particularly the Certified Welder credential, signal technical credibility to employers. Listing these above your education section reassures hiring managers about your qualifications before they get to your visa status.
Address your OPT timeline proactively
Be upfront about your OPT end date and whether you qualify for a STEM extension. Employers in skilled trades value direct communication. Knowing you have up to three years of work authorization removes a common hesitation for sponsorship-wary hiring managers.
Emphasize hands-on lab and shop experience
Employers hiring Arc Welders on OPT want proof of practical skill, not just coursework. List specific welding processes you have performed, such as SMAW, GMAW, or GTAW, along with the materials and thicknesses you have worked with in your program.
Ask about future H-2B or H-1B sponsorship early
Some manufacturing employers have sponsored welders on skilled worker or specialty occupation visas before. Asking during the offer stage, not midway through your OPT period, gives you and the employer time to assess long-term options without pressure.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Can F-1 OPT students legally work as Arc Welders in the United States?
Yes, F-1 OPT students can work as Arc Welders if the role is directly related to their degree field. Programs in welding technology, materials science, or mechanical engineering typically satisfy this requirement. Your EAD card must be valid before your start date, and the job must fall within your authorized field of study.
Do Arc Welder jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Arc Welder roles can qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension if your degree is in a STEM-designated field such as materials science or mechanical engineering. The employer must also be enrolled in E-Verify and agree to a formal training plan. Not all welding technology programs carry a STEM designation, so confirm your CIP code with your DSO before applying.
Where is the best place to find Arc Welder jobs that accept OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters jobs by sponsorship and work authorization compatibility. Browsing Arc Welder listings on Migrate Mate lets you focus on employers already open to OPT candidates rather than spending time filtering out roles that require immediate permanent work authorization.
What should I bring to a job interview for an Arc Welder role while on OPT?
Bring your EAD card, your current I-20 with OPT authorization noted, and your passport. Employers will need to complete Form I-9, so having original documents ready speeds up the process. If you hold AWS certifications, bring copies of those as well. A brief written summary of your OPT end date and STEM extension eligibility can also reassure employers unfamiliar with F-1 status.
Can an Arc Welder employer sponsor me for an H-1B visa after my OPT ends?
H-1B sponsorship for Arc Welder roles is uncommon because the position does not typically meet the specialty occupation standard requiring a specific bachelor's degree. However, some employers have sponsored welders through other visa categories. It is worth discussing long-term options directly with the employer during the offer process rather than assuming sponsorship is off the table.
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