Welder Visa Sponsorship Jobs in California
Welder visa sponsorship jobs in California are concentrated in aerospace, shipbuilding, and heavy manufacturing sectors, with major employers operating in Los Angeles, San Diego, and the Central Valley. Companies like Northrop Grumman, BAE Systems, and General Dynamics regularly hire skilled welders and have established visa sponsorship infrastructure for qualified international candidates.
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Get Access To All JobsRESPONSIBILITIES/DUTIES:
- Full penetration butt weld 6G test
- Weld components in flat, vertical, or overhead positions.
- Operate safety equipment and use safe work habits.
- Lay out, position, align, and secure parts and assemblies prior to assembly, using straightedges, combination squares, calipers, and rulers.
- Ability to use arms and hands to signal, grab, hold, turn, push, and pull: objects, materials, controls and tools
- Ability and willingness to stand, walk, bend, squat and lift objects for long periods of time
- Ability and willingness to lift and carry material weighing up to 50 lbs
- Examine workpieces for defects and measure workpieces with straightedges or templates to ensure conformance with specifications.
- Recognize, set up, and operate hand and power tools common to the welding trade, such as shielded metal arc and gas metal arc welding equipment.
- Weld separately or in combination, using stainless steel, and other alloys.
- Clamp, hold, tack-weld, heat-bend, grind or bolt component parts to obtain required configurations and positions for welding.
- Select and install torches, torch tips, filler rods, and flux, according to welding chart specifications or types and thicknesses of metals.
- Ignite torches or start power supplies and strike arcs by touching electrodes to metals being welded, completing electrical circuits.
- Connect and turn regulator valves to activate and adjust gas flow and pressure so that desired flames are obtained.
- Determine required equipment and welding methods, applying knowledge of metallurgy, geometry, and welding techniques.
- Monitor the fitting, burning, and welding processes to avoid overheating of parts or warping, shrinking, distortion, or expansion of material.
- Operate manual or semi-automatic welding equipment to fuse metal segments, using processes such as gas tungsten arc, gas metal arc, flux-cored arc, plasma arc, shielded metal arc, and resistance welding.
- Analyze engineering drawings, blueprints, specifications, sketches, work orders, and material safety data sheets to plan layout, assembly, and welding operations.
- Mark or tag material with proper job number, piece marks, and other identifying marks as required.
- Controlling Machines and Processes
- Handling and Moving Objects
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Getting Information
- Performing General Physical Activities
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material
- Thinking Creatively
- Training and Teaching Others
EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE, SKILL REQUIREMENTS & CERTIFICATIONS:
Minimum Education (or substitute experience) required:
High School Graduate or GED equivalent/Some college preferred.
REQUIRED Experience:
- Minimum (2-5+) years of proven experience as a TIG Welder; MUST BE ABLE TO PASS A 6G STAINLESS STEEL PIPE WELD TEST
- Experience using a variety of welding equipment and proper operating procedures (TIG, MMA, blow torch etc.)
- Experience in using electrical or manual tools (saws, squares, calipers etc.)
- Ability to read and interpret technical documents and drawings
- Knowledge of relative safety standards and willingness to use protective clothing (face-shield, gloves etc.)
Skills Required:
- Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
- Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
- Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
- Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
- Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Minimum License, Certifications & Affiliations/Memberships and CEU’s:
- Valid California driver’s license and an insured vehicle in good working order.
- Professional Certification (e.g. an AWS welding certificate) will be a plus.
Special Requirement:
May be required to work weekends and holidays as business necessitates; schedules will be determined by management with at least 48 hours advance notice.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Working in the shop, the following conditions may apply:
- Includes exposure to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable
- Requires working in very hot (above 90 F degrees) or very cold (below 32 F degrees) temperatures
This description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work being performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.
Crane Company. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, general identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.
About Crane: ChemPharma & Energy
Crane ChemPharma & Energy designs and manufactures a variety of high-performance products including highly engineered check valves, sleeved plug valves, lined valves, process ball valves, high-performance butterfly valves, bellows sealed globe valves, aseptic and industrial diaphragm valves, multi/quarter-turn valves, actuation, sight glasses, lined pipe, fittings and hoses, and air operated diaphragm and peristaltic pumps. Its trusted brands offer customers a complete and innovative product portfolio designed for the most demanding corrosive, erosive, and high purity applications. Primary industries served include chemical and petrochemical processing, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and general industrial. As an integrated fluid handling solutions provider, Crane ChemPharma & Energy is well equipped to respond to complex global projects with comprehensive product packages and timely proposals to simplify our customers’ supply chain on a local level worldwide, at competitive market pricing.
CPE
LI-VD1
Salary/Hourly Range: $25.75 to $34.24. Several factors contribute to actual salary, including experience in a similar role or performing comparable job responsibilities, skills, training, and other qualifications. Compensation packages also include comprehensive benefits, 401K contribution and match, Paid Time Off, paid holidays, tuition reimbursement and more. Some roles may be eligible for participation in performance-based bonus programs.
This description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work being performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.
Crane Company. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, general identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.
RESPONSIBILITIES/DUTIES:
- Full penetration butt weld 6G test
- Weld components in flat, vertical, or overhead positions.
- Operate safety equipment and use safe work habits.
- Lay out, position, align, and secure parts and assemblies prior to assembly, using straightedges, combination squares, calipers, and rulers.
- Ability to use arms and hands to signal, grab, hold, turn, push, and pull: objects, materials, controls and tools
- Ability and willingness to stand, walk, bend, squat and lift objects for long periods of time
- Ability and willingness to lift and carry material weighing up to 50 lbs
- Examine workpieces for defects and measure workpieces with straightedges or templates to ensure conformance with specifications.
- Recognize, set up, and operate hand and power tools common to the welding trade, such as shielded metal arc and gas metal arc welding equipment.
- Weld separately or in combination, using stainless steel, and other alloys.
- Clamp, hold, tack-weld, heat-bend, grind or bolt component parts to obtain required configurations and positions for welding.
- Select and install torches, torch tips, filler rods, and flux, according to welding chart specifications or types and thicknesses of metals.
- Ignite torches or start power supplies and strike arcs by touching electrodes to metals being welded, completing electrical circuits.
- Connect and turn regulator valves to activate and adjust gas flow and pressure so that desired flames are obtained.
- Determine required equipment and welding methods, applying knowledge of metallurgy, geometry, and welding techniques.
- Monitor the fitting, burning, and welding processes to avoid overheating of parts or warping, shrinking, distortion, or expansion of material.
- Operate manual or semi-automatic welding equipment to fuse metal segments, using processes such as gas tungsten arc, gas metal arc, flux-cored arc, plasma arc, shielded metal arc, and resistance welding.
- Analyze engineering drawings, blueprints, specifications, sketches, work orders, and material safety data sheets to plan layout, assembly, and welding operations.
- Mark or tag material with proper job number, piece marks, and other identifying marks as required.
- Controlling Machines and Processes
- Handling and Moving Objects
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Getting Information
- Performing General Physical Activities
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material
- Thinking Creatively
- Training and Teaching Others
EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE, SKILL REQUIREMENTS & CERTIFICATIONS:
Minimum Education (or substitute experience) required:
High School Graduate or GED equivalent/Some college preferred.
REQUIRED Experience:
- Minimum (2-5+) years of proven experience as a TIG Welder; MUST BE ABLE TO PASS A 6G STAINLESS STEEL PIPE WELD TEST
- Experience using a variety of welding equipment and proper operating procedures (TIG, MMA, blow torch etc.)
- Experience in using electrical or manual tools (saws, squares, calipers etc.)
- Ability to read and interpret technical documents and drawings
- Knowledge of relative safety standards and willingness to use protective clothing (face-shield, gloves etc.)
Skills Required:
- Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
- Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
- Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
- Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
- Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Minimum License, Certifications & Affiliations/Memberships and CEU’s:
- Valid California driver’s license and an insured vehicle in good working order.
- Professional Certification (e.g. an AWS welding certificate) will be a plus.
Special Requirement:
May be required to work weekends and holidays as business necessitates; schedules will be determined by management with at least 48 hours advance notice.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Working in the shop, the following conditions may apply:
- Includes exposure to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable
- Requires working in very hot (above 90 F degrees) or very cold (below 32 F degrees) temperatures
This description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work being performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.
Crane Company. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, general identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.
About Crane: ChemPharma & Energy
Crane ChemPharma & Energy designs and manufactures a variety of high-performance products including highly engineered check valves, sleeved plug valves, lined valves, process ball valves, high-performance butterfly valves, bellows sealed globe valves, aseptic and industrial diaphragm valves, multi/quarter-turn valves, actuation, sight glasses, lined pipe, fittings and hoses, and air operated diaphragm and peristaltic pumps. Its trusted brands offer customers a complete and innovative product portfolio designed for the most demanding corrosive, erosive, and high purity applications. Primary industries served include chemical and petrochemical processing, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and general industrial. As an integrated fluid handling solutions provider, Crane ChemPharma & Energy is well equipped to respond to complex global projects with comprehensive product packages and timely proposals to simplify our customers’ supply chain on a local level worldwide, at competitive market pricing.
CPE
LI-VD1
Salary/Hourly Range: $25.75 to $34.24. Several factors contribute to actual salary, including experience in a similar role or performing comparable job responsibilities, skills, training, and other qualifications. Compensation packages also include comprehensive benefits, 401K contribution and match, Paid Time Off, paid holidays, tuition reimbursement and more. Some roles may be eligible for participation in performance-based bonus programs.
This description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work being performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.
Crane Company. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, general identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.
Welder Job Roles in California
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Search Welder Jobs in CaliforniaWelder Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for welders in California?
California's aerospace and defense manufacturers are among the most active sponsors for welder roles. Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems in the Los Angeles and San Diego areas have histories of sponsoring skilled trade workers. Shipbuilding and heavy industrial contractors in the Bay Area and Southern California also hire sponsored welders, particularly for certified positions requiring AWS or ASME qualifications.
Which visa types are most common for welder roles in California?
The H-2B visa temporary nonimmigrant visa is commonly used for welder roles where employers can demonstrate a seasonal or peak-load need and a shortage of available U.S. workers. For welders with specialized or advanced certifications, employers may pursue H-1B visa classification if the role genuinely requires a theoretical or technical degree, though this is less common for trade positions. EB-3 is the most typical immigrant visa pathway for skilled welders.
Which cities in California have the most welder sponsorship jobs?
San Diego leads due to its concentration of naval shipbuilding and defense contractors, including facilities tied to General Dynamics NASSCO. Los Angeles and the broader Southland region offer manufacturing and aerospace opportunities. The Central Valley has agricultural equipment and infrastructure fabrication employers. Richmond and the East Bay have industrial and refinery-related welding demand, making the Bay Area another active market for sponsored positions.
How to find welder visa sponsorship jobs in California?
Migrate Mate is a job board built specifically for international candidates seeking visa sponsorship in the U.S. You can filter directly for welder roles in California to see employers actively open to sponsoring workers. This saves significant time compared to sifting through general listings where sponsorship availability is unclear. Focusing your search on aerospace, shipbuilding, and heavy manufacturing employers in California gives you the strongest chances of finding sponsored openings.
Are there any California-specific considerations for welders seeking visa sponsorship?
California's prevailing wage requirements under state law often exceed federal minimums, which affects what employers must pay sponsored workers under H-2B and similar visa categories. California also enforces strict occupational safety standards through Cal/OSHA, so employers generally require documented certifications such as AWS Certified Welder credentials. Defense contractors operating in California may also require security clearance eligibility, which can limit sponsorship to certain nationalities.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored welder jobs in California?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.