Welder Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Virginia
Welder visa sponsorship jobs in Virginia are concentrated in the Hampton Roads shipbuilding corridor, where major defense contractors like Huntington Ingalls Industries and BAE Systems regularly hire skilled welders. Northern Virginia's infrastructure projects and the Shenandoah Valley's manufacturing base also generate steady demand for certified welders seeking H-2B visa or H-1B visa sponsorship.
Find Welder JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 449+ Welder Jobs in Virginia with Visa Sponsorship
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
See all 449+ Welder Jobs in Virginia with Visa Sponsorship
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Welder Jobs in Virginia with Visa Sponsorship.
Get Access To All JobsJob Description
What’s it like working for an innovative company that takes on some of the world’s most important challenges? Rewarding. Being a welder at BAE Systems means taking pride in the work you do in helping in the repair and modernization of the U.S. Navy vessels and knowing you make a difference every day. Right now, we are looking for a Welder to join our Maritime Solutions team in Norfolk, Virginia.
Here, you’ll grow your career through training and development opportunities and the support of a knowledgeable team. We are committed to excellence with the products we make and by providing an environment where our employees feel valued. Enjoy a career where you can feel safe, be rewarded, and proud of the work you do.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
As a Welder, you will:
- Perform precise welding on various materials (steel, stainless steel, aluminum) in flat, vertical, or overhead positions.
- Read and interpret blueprints, schematics, and engineering drawings to plan layouts.
- Operate and maintain welding equipment, including torches, grinders, and welding machines.
- Inspect completed welds for flaws and ensure compliance with industry standards and safety regulations.
- Maintain a clean work area and strictly follow OSHA regulations, including using personal protective equipment (PPE).
REQUIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, & SKILLS
Highly skilled professional who has completed an apprenticeship or possesses extensive experience (typically 5+ years) to independently perform advanced welding tasks, including MIG, TIG, and stick welding.
- Ability to accomplish welding processes aboard vessels and shops.
- Able to pass a hands-on welding practical test on SMAW, FCAW, and GMAW by way of x-ray NDT. Welding test will consist of full penetration butt weld test plates in three positions each: overhead (4G), vertical (3G), and horizontal position (2G). Full penetration welds 2G and 3G with ceramic backing, 4G with permanent backing.
- Ability to interpret and understand NAVSEA drawings/blueprints. Able to understand, read, and interpret welding symbols based on the requirements of Military Standard 22-D and have working experience with Military Standard 1689, DM 10-623B.
- Able to use hand tools and power tools safely and efficiently.
- Able to read, write, and comprehend simple instructions.
- Able to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions in written, oral, or diagram form.
- Able to calculate and understand units of measure, including fractions and decimals.
- Able to accurately use tape measures for measurements.
- Able to obtain DBIDS credential/Government clearance to enter US Navy Vessels.
Physical Requirements
- Able to wear appropriate protective equipment, including respirators.
- Able to physically perform essential job duties with or without accommodation.
- Able to work at heights, in confined spaces and have the ability to climb staircases and ladders of varying sizes and grades.
- Able to carry personal tool bag weighing up to 50 lbs.
PAY INFORMATION
This position is covered under a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which will determine your wages.
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
At BAE Systems, we support our employees in all aspects of their life including health and financial well-being. Benefits for Union employees are governed by a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), so your benefits may differ from those described here. Generally, employees are offered:
- health, dental, and vision insurance;
- health savings accounts;
- a 401(k) savings plan;
- disability coverage;
- life and accident insurance.
We also have an employee assistance program, a legal plan, and other perks including discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance. Our leave programs include paid time off, paid holidays, as well as other types of leave, which may include military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave. Employees may participate in the company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards. Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics.
ABOUT BAE SYSTEMS PLATFORMS & SERVICES
BAE Systems, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of BAE Systems plc, an international defense, aerospace, and security company which delivers a full range of products and services for air, land, and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions, and customer support services. Improving the future and protecting lives is an ambitious mission, but it’s what we do at BAE Systems. Working here means using your passion and ingenuity where it counts – defending national security with breakthrough technology, superior products, and intelligence solutions. As you develop the latest technology and defend national security, you will continually hone your skills on a team—making a big impact on a global scale. At BAE Systems, you’ll find a rewarding career that truly makes a difference.
The Platforms & Services (P&S) sector under BAE Systems, Inc does the big stuff: the armored combat vehicles, naval guns, missile launchers, and ship repair…just to name a few. Our employees take pride in the work they do and why they do it. They are on the front lines every day, building our products to protect the lives of those who serve. We may be biased, but we think P&S does some of the coolest work around, and we think you will too.
Job Description
What’s it like working for an innovative company that takes on some of the world’s most important challenges? Rewarding. Being a welder at BAE Systems means taking pride in the work you do in helping in the repair and modernization of the U.S. Navy vessels and knowing you make a difference every day. Right now, we are looking for a Welder to join our Maritime Solutions team in Norfolk, Virginia.
Here, you’ll grow your career through training and development opportunities and the support of a knowledgeable team. We are committed to excellence with the products we make and by providing an environment where our employees feel valued. Enjoy a career where you can feel safe, be rewarded, and proud of the work you do.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
As a Welder, you will:
- Perform precise welding on various materials (steel, stainless steel, aluminum) in flat, vertical, or overhead positions.
- Read and interpret blueprints, schematics, and engineering drawings to plan layouts.
- Operate and maintain welding equipment, including torches, grinders, and welding machines.
- Inspect completed welds for flaws and ensure compliance with industry standards and safety regulations.
- Maintain a clean work area and strictly follow OSHA regulations, including using personal protective equipment (PPE).
REQUIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, & SKILLS
Highly skilled professional who has completed an apprenticeship or possesses extensive experience (typically 5+ years) to independently perform advanced welding tasks, including MIG, TIG, and stick welding.
- Ability to accomplish welding processes aboard vessels and shops.
- Able to pass a hands-on welding practical test on SMAW, FCAW, and GMAW by way of x-ray NDT. Welding test will consist of full penetration butt weld test plates in three positions each: overhead (4G), vertical (3G), and horizontal position (2G). Full penetration welds 2G and 3G with ceramic backing, 4G with permanent backing.
- Ability to interpret and understand NAVSEA drawings/blueprints. Able to understand, read, and interpret welding symbols based on the requirements of Military Standard 22-D and have working experience with Military Standard 1689, DM 10-623B.
- Able to use hand tools and power tools safely and efficiently.
- Able to read, write, and comprehend simple instructions.
- Able to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions in written, oral, or diagram form.
- Able to calculate and understand units of measure, including fractions and decimals.
- Able to accurately use tape measures for measurements.
- Able to obtain DBIDS credential/Government clearance to enter US Navy Vessels.
Physical Requirements
- Able to wear appropriate protective equipment, including respirators.
- Able to physically perform essential job duties with or without accommodation.
- Able to work at heights, in confined spaces and have the ability to climb staircases and ladders of varying sizes and grades.
- Able to carry personal tool bag weighing up to 50 lbs.
PAY INFORMATION
This position is covered under a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which will determine your wages.
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
At BAE Systems, we support our employees in all aspects of their life including health and financial well-being. Benefits for Union employees are governed by a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), so your benefits may differ from those described here. Generally, employees are offered:
- health, dental, and vision insurance;
- health savings accounts;
- a 401(k) savings plan;
- disability coverage;
- life and accident insurance.
We also have an employee assistance program, a legal plan, and other perks including discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance. Our leave programs include paid time off, paid holidays, as well as other types of leave, which may include military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave. Employees may participate in the company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards. Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics.
ABOUT BAE SYSTEMS PLATFORMS & SERVICES
BAE Systems, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of BAE Systems plc, an international defense, aerospace, and security company which delivers a full range of products and services for air, land, and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions, and customer support services. Improving the future and protecting lives is an ambitious mission, but it’s what we do at BAE Systems. Working here means using your passion and ingenuity where it counts – defending national security with breakthrough technology, superior products, and intelligence solutions. As you develop the latest technology and defend national security, you will continually hone your skills on a team—making a big impact on a global scale. At BAE Systems, you’ll find a rewarding career that truly makes a difference.
The Platforms & Services (P&S) sector under BAE Systems, Inc does the big stuff: the armored combat vehicles, naval guns, missile launchers, and ship repair…just to name a few. Our employees take pride in the work they do and why they do it. They are on the front lines every day, building our products to protect the lives of those who serve. We may be biased, but we think P&S does some of the coolest work around, and we think you will too.
Welder Job Roles in Virginia
See all 449+ Welder Jobs in Virginia
Sign up for free to filter by visa type, set job alerts, and find employers with verified sponsorship history.
Search Welder Jobs in VirginiaWelder Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for welders in Virginia?
Huntington Ingalls Industries and BAE Systems in Newport News and Norfolk are among the most active sponsors for welders in Virginia, driven by U.S. Navy shipbuilding contracts. Manufacturing firms in the Shenandoah Valley and Northern Virginia construction contractors also sponsor welders, typically for roles requiring specialized certifications such as AWS Certified Welding Inspector or structural pipe welding credentials.
Which visa types are most common for welder roles in Virginia?
The H-2B temporary nonimmigrant visa is the most common path for welders in Virginia, used by employers facing seasonal or peak-load workforce shortages. Some highly specialized welding roles in defense shipbuilding, particularly those requiring advanced certifications in underwater or aerospace welding, may qualify under the H-1B as a specialty occupation, though this requires a relevant bachelor's degree or equivalent and is less common for trade-based positions.
Which cities in Virginia have the most welder sponsorship jobs?
Newport News and Norfolk lead Virginia for welder sponsorship jobs, anchored by the shipbuilding and naval maintenance industries at the Port of Virginia and Naval Station Norfolk. Richmond's manufacturing sector and Northern Virginia's infrastructure and construction projects generate additional demand. The Roanoke and Harrisonburg areas in the Shenandoah Valley also host fabrication and industrial manufacturing employers that periodically sponsor skilled welders.
How to find welder visa sponsorship jobs in Virginia?
Migrate Mate is the most direct way to find welder visa sponsorship jobs in Virginia. The platform filters job listings specifically to roles where employers have indicated willingness to sponsor work visas, saving you from screening hundreds of postings manually. For Virginia welders, filtering by Hampton Roads and Richmond regions surfaces the highest concentration of defense, shipbuilding, and manufacturing employers actively hiring sponsored candidates.
Are there state-specific considerations for welders seeking visa sponsorship in Virginia?
Virginia welders pursuing sponsored positions should be aware that Department of Labor prevailing wage determinations apply to H-2B and H-1B petitions, and wages are calculated by county and metropolitan area, meaning Newport News and Northern Virginia rates differ significantly. Virginia's heavy defense contracting sector also means some positions require security clearance eligibility, which can affect sponsorship viability for foreign nationals depending on citizenship and the specific contract involved.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored welder jobs in Virginia?
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.