OPT Welder Jobs
Welder jobs on OPT are available across manufacturing, construction, and energy sectors, with many employers filing H-2B visa or H-1B visa sponsorship for skilled tradespeople. STEM OPT does not apply to welding roles, so standard 12-month OPT authorization is the relevant window for most F-1 students pursuing this path.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Simpson Strong-Tie is a leader in engineered structural connectors, software, and solutions for the building industry. We maintain a reputation as a trusted manufacturer, partner, and corporate citizen committed to our customers and employees.
Our founder, Barc Simpson established 9 Principles of Business we live out as company values and have made Simpson Strong-Tie an inspiring place to work since 1956. Our team of talented people are dedicated to our shared mission: to provide solutions that help people design and build safer, stronger structures.
Learn about our company culture directly from our team.
MAKE AN IMPACT IN THIS ROLE
The position of Welder represents the final step in the actual fabrication process. This process involves the production welding of various gauges and types of metals to produce parts per drawings and Simpson specifications.
WHAT YOU'LL DO (% OF TIME)
-
Set up the welding machine, gather work, read prints, stage work, weld parts. Comprehend and apply written and/or verbal instructions. Produce Quality parts in a safe manner. Communicate with coworkers and leadership. Operate other production machinery with training as directed. (80%)
-
Use both manual and powered hand tools (5%)
-
Place finished product on pallet racking, apply labels as needed (5%)
-
Read tape measure to 1/32” tolerance, use protractor to measure angles (5%)
-
Keep area clean (5%)
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE | WHAT YOU'LL BRING
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS, TECHNICAL SKILLS, AND KNOWLEDGE
- Required to have Simpson Strong-Tie Powered Industrial Truck (PIT) Certification (will certify at hire)
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS, TECHNICAL SKILLS, AND KNOWLEDGE
- Preferred 1-year certificate from college or technical school
- Minimum 1-year related manufacturing experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and training in a production welding environment.
- Safety: Consistently exemplify the highest of safety standards and monitor others to the same standards.
- Attendance: Able to consistently demonstrate reliable, punctual attendance.
- Mathematical Reasoning: Able to apply basic algebraic and geometric concepts. Able to add, subtract, multiply, and divide whole numbers, fractions, and decimal equivalents.
- Reading Comprehension: Able to read, analyze, and interpret business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, and related correspondence. Able to write work procedures and instructions.
- Writing: Able to write routine reports, safety bulletins and procedure manuals
- Technical: Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Simpson computer applications.
- Problem Solving: Able to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of situations where only limited standardization exists.
- Analysis/Reasoning: Able to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
- Speaking: Able to effectively communicate in group settings and one-on-one, with all departments and at all levels within the organization.
- Leadership: Proven ability to effectively lead by motivating, coaching and mentoring team members. Proven ability to prioritize work and champion change. Willing to compassionately hold others accountable and to be held accountable.
- Measurements: Able to read a tape measure to 1/32” tolerance and to use combination squares to measure angles to +/- 1 degree
TRAVEL
This position requires no travel at this time.
WORK STATUS & LOCATION
This full-time, exempt/non-exempt position is located in Fulton, MO.
RELOCATION
Relocation is not available for this position.
PAY (COMPENSATION)
$19.62 - $29.42 / hour
The salary is determined by the education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities of the applicant, internal equity, and alignment with market data for geographic locations.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Physical Requirements
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, see, talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to sit. This role operates large equipment while standing for approximately 8-12 hours, regularly twisting and bending in a repetitive motion. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may frequently lift, carry, push and pull materials and objects weighing up to 50 pounds, and heavier weights with proper equipment.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The job may risk exposure to heat and/or cold, loud noise levels, vibration, and moving mechanical parts.
REWARDS AT SIMPSON STRONG-TIE
We recognize and reward employees with a carefully designed and comprehensive rewards package, including competitive compensation, quarterly bonuses or commission and first-rate benefits. May exclude some positions, such as seasonal jobs.
- Quarterly Bonuses/Commission: You will be eligible for either a bonus or commission, paid on a quarterly basis. We believe all employees affect customers, sales and revenue — directly or indirectly – and should be rewarded by sharing the company profits.
- Benefits: We provide a wide range of benefits for eligible full-time employees including: medical, dental, vision, retirement contributions, employee stock purchase and bonus plans, pay for holidays, vacation, sick days, funerals and jury duty, years of service awards, employee discounts, employee referral bonuses, charitable contribution matching, education reimbursement and more. View benefit plan details here: https://benefits.strongtie.com/.
In keeping with our values and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in our communities, we are an equal opportunity employer. This means that our employment decisions are based on your qualifications and merit, and our business needs.
Please note all job offers are contingent upon a successful drug screen and criminal background check, in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal laws.
NowHiring #GetHired #Hiring #HiringNow
INTRODUCTION
Simpson Strong-Tie is a leader in engineered structural connectors, software, and solutions for the building industry. We maintain a reputation as a trusted manufacturer, partner, and corporate citizen committed to our customers and employees.
Our founder, Barc Simpson established 9 Principles of Business we live out as company values and have made Simpson Strong-Tie an inspiring place to work since 1956. Our team of talented people are dedicated to our shared mission: to provide solutions that help people design and build safer, stronger structures.
Learn about our company culture directly from our team.
MAKE AN IMPACT IN THIS ROLE
The position of Welder represents the final step in the actual fabrication process. This process involves the production welding of various gauges and types of metals to produce parts per drawings and Simpson specifications.
WHAT YOU'LL DO (% OF TIME)
-
Set up the welding machine, gather work, read prints, stage work, weld parts. Comprehend and apply written and/or verbal instructions. Produce Quality parts in a safe manner. Communicate with coworkers and leadership. Operate other production machinery with training as directed. (80%)
-
Use both manual and powered hand tools (5%)
-
Place finished product on pallet racking, apply labels as needed (5%)
-
Read tape measure to 1/32” tolerance, use protractor to measure angles (5%)
-
Keep area clean (5%)
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE | WHAT YOU'LL BRING
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS, TECHNICAL SKILLS, AND KNOWLEDGE
- Required to have Simpson Strong-Tie Powered Industrial Truck (PIT) Certification (will certify at hire)
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS, TECHNICAL SKILLS, AND KNOWLEDGE
- Preferred 1-year certificate from college or technical school
- Minimum 1-year related manufacturing experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and training in a production welding environment.
- Safety: Consistently exemplify the highest of safety standards and monitor others to the same standards.
- Attendance: Able to consistently demonstrate reliable, punctual attendance.
- Mathematical Reasoning: Able to apply basic algebraic and geometric concepts. Able to add, subtract, multiply, and divide whole numbers, fractions, and decimal equivalents.
- Reading Comprehension: Able to read, analyze, and interpret business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, and related correspondence. Able to write work procedures and instructions.
- Writing: Able to write routine reports, safety bulletins and procedure manuals
- Technical: Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Simpson computer applications.
- Problem Solving: Able to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of situations where only limited standardization exists.
- Analysis/Reasoning: Able to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
- Speaking: Able to effectively communicate in group settings and one-on-one, with all departments and at all levels within the organization.
- Leadership: Proven ability to effectively lead by motivating, coaching and mentoring team members. Proven ability to prioritize work and champion change. Willing to compassionately hold others accountable and to be held accountable.
- Measurements: Able to read a tape measure to 1/32” tolerance and to use combination squares to measure angles to +/- 1 degree
TRAVEL
This position requires no travel at this time.
WORK STATUS & LOCATION
This full-time, exempt/non-exempt position is located in Fulton, MO.
RELOCATION
Relocation is not available for this position.
PAY (COMPENSATION)
$19.62 - $29.42 / hour
The salary is determined by the education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities of the applicant, internal equity, and alignment with market data for geographic locations.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Physical Requirements
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, see, talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to sit. This role operates large equipment while standing for approximately 8-12 hours, regularly twisting and bending in a repetitive motion. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may frequently lift, carry, push and pull materials and objects weighing up to 50 pounds, and heavier weights with proper equipment.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The job may risk exposure to heat and/or cold, loud noise levels, vibration, and moving mechanical parts.
REWARDS AT SIMPSON STRONG-TIE
We recognize and reward employees with a carefully designed and comprehensive rewards package, including competitive compensation, quarterly bonuses or commission and first-rate benefits. May exclude some positions, such as seasonal jobs.
- Quarterly Bonuses/Commission: You will be eligible for either a bonus or commission, paid on a quarterly basis. We believe all employees affect customers, sales and revenue — directly or indirectly – and should be rewarded by sharing the company profits.
- Benefits: We provide a wide range of benefits for eligible full-time employees including: medical, dental, vision, retirement contributions, employee stock purchase and bonus plans, pay for holidays, vacation, sick days, funerals and jury duty, years of service awards, employee discounts, employee referral bonuses, charitable contribution matching, education reimbursement and more. View benefit plan details here: https://benefits.strongtie.com/.
In keeping with our values and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in our communities, we are an equal opportunity employer. This means that our employment decisions are based on your qualifications and merit, and our business needs.
Please note all job offers are contingent upon a successful drug screen and criminal background check, in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal laws.
NowHiring #GetHired #Hiring #HiringNow
See all OPT Welder Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Welder Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Welder
Target industrial manufacturers and fabrication shops
Large-scale manufacturers and structural fabrication companies hire welders in volume and are more likely to have HR infrastructure for work authorization. Focus your search on employers with 50 or more employees who regularly hire skilled tradespeople.
Highlight your AWS or other welding certifications upfront
Certifications from the American Welding Society signal job-readiness to employers unfamiliar with OPT. Listing your certification code and date prominently on your resume removes the most common reason hiring managers pass on international candidates before the first call.
Address OPT authorization early in the conversation
Employers in skilled trades are often unfamiliar with F-1 OPT. Explain clearly that you have existing work authorization, require no sponsorship to start, and that your EAD card is the only document they need to verify employment eligibility during your OPT period.
Focus on sectors with consistent workforce shortages
Aerospace, shipbuilding, and pipeline construction face persistent welder shortages, making employers in these industries more willing to invest in sponsorship after your OPT period ends. Starting in a shortage sector improves your long-term immigration options significantly.
Ask about H-2B or sponsorship pathways before accepting an offer
OPT lasts 12 months for welding roles, so it is worth asking a prospective employer whether they have sponsored workers before. Companies with prior sponsorship experience are far more likely to support you when your OPT authorization approaches its end date.
Use Migrate Mate to find OPT-friendly welder openings
Migrate Mate filters job listings by sponsorship history and OPT compatibility, saving you the time of screening employers manually. Browsing roles on Migrate Mate narrows your search to companies already familiar with hiring international workers in skilled trades positions.
Welder OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can F-1 OPT students legally work as welders in the United States?
Yes. F-1 students with an approved EAD card can work as welders during their OPT period. Welding is not a STEM-designated field, so the standard 12-month OPT window applies. Your EAD is your work authorization document and satisfies I-9 requirements with any employer.
Does welding qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension?
No. Welding and most skilled trades programs do not fall under STEM-designated CIP codes recognized by DHS, so the 24-month STEM OPT extension is not available for this role. F-1 students working as welders on OPT have a 12-month authorization window, after which they need employer-sponsored status such as H-2B visa or H-1B visa to continue working legally.
What visa options exist after OPT expires for welders?
The most common path for welders after OPT is H-2B, a temporary nonimmigrant visa for non-agricultural workers in occupations with demonstrated labor shortages. H-1B is theoretically available but requires a specialty occupation degree nexus that is difficult to establish for welding roles. Some employers with ongoing labor needs sponsor EB-3 green cards for skilled tradespeople, though this process takes significantly longer.
How do I find welder employers who are open to hiring OPT workers?
Migrate Mate is the most direct way to find welder jobs posted by employers familiar with OPT and international hiring. Beyond that, targeting large industrial manufacturers, energy contractors, and shipbuilding companies gives you the best odds, as these sectors hire welders in volume and are more experienced navigating work authorization requirements than smaller fabrication shops.
Do I need to tell a welding employer I am on OPT before they make an offer?
You are not legally required to disclose your immigration status before receiving a job offer, but most immigration attorneys recommend being upfront with employers in skilled trades, who may be unfamiliar with OPT. Framing it clearly that you already have work authorization and need no employer action to start reduces friction and avoids surprises during the I-9 verification process.