Welder Fabricator Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Welder fabricator roles qualify for visa sponsorship when the position requires a formal credential or specialized trade training. Employers in manufacturing, shipbuilding, and structural steel typically file H-2B visa petitions for seasonal demand or sponsor permanent residence through PERM for long-term hires. Degree requirements vary, but documented certifications matter.
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The Welder Fabricator 1 will utilize metal inert gas (MIG) while welding steel and aluminum. This role will weld and assemble metal pieces and products by using handheld welding equipment. The role will set up parts for welding, use hand tools, clamps, jigs, and fixtures. This position will work from specifications, drawings, and welding symbols. This role will prepare and complete work on materials by welding, cutting, grinding, and cleaning metal. They join, fabricate, and repair metal and other weldable material by applying appropriate welding techniques. They will interpret blueprints, specifications, diagrams, or schematics to determine the appropriate welding process. The Welder Fabricator 1 will inspect completed welds to determine structural soundness. This position should be familiar with and comply with all safety requirements and protocols for working in a hazardous environment. This position may also prepare the materials and set up for a welding device or robot.
CORE FUNCTIONS
- Perform MIG & TIG welding on products.
- Perform cosmetic welding on products.
- Must be able to meet daily productivity and output goals (production outputs are measured hourly/daily).
- Set up components for welding according to specifications, work orders and/or prints.
- Weld components using manual or semi-automatic welding equipment in various positions (vertical/horizontal).
- Repair product and other components by welding pieces and filling gaps.
- Test and inspect welded surfaces and structure to discover flaws.
- Maintain equipment in a condition that does not compromise safety.
- Cut aluminum to specifications.
QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS
Education and Experience
- High School Diploma, general education degree (GED), and/or completion certificate from a certified technical school required.
- Minimum 1-2 years of work-related experience as a MIG Welder required.
Required Licenses
- None
Skills, Abilities, and Knowledge
- Ability to read blueprints.
- Ability to use a tape measure and calculate fractions.
- Ability to visualize projects and put together timelines and processes to complete projects efficiently and effectively.
Travel
- None.
COMPETENCIES
- Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
- Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals. Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.
- Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality.
- Meets productivity standards; completes work in timely manner; Strives to increase productivity; Works quickly.
- Observes safety and security procedures; Reports potentially unsafe conditions; Uses equipment and materials properly.
- Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to other views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Supports everyone’s efforts to succeed.
- Assesses own strengths and weaknesses; Pursues training and development opportunities; Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; Shares expertise with others.
SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES
- Individual Contributor: working team member with no oversight of others and no management responsibilities.
Physical Requirements
This position is subject to Medium Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
Physical Activities
This position is subject to the following physical activities: climbing, balancing, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, feeling, crawling, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions.
Visual Acuity
The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; expansive reading; visual inspection involving small defects, small parts and/or operation of machines (including inspection); using measurement devices; and/or assembly of fabrication of parts at distances close to the eyes.
Working Conditions
The worker is subject to inside and outside environmental conditions, including heat, noise, vibration, and hazards from a production-based environment.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
Position Summary
The Welder Fabricator 1 will utilize metal inert gas (MIG) while welding steel and aluminum. This role will weld and assemble metal pieces and products by using handheld welding equipment. The role will set up parts for welding, use hand tools, clamps, jigs, and fixtures. This position will work from specifications, drawings, and welding symbols. This role will prepare and complete work on materials by welding, cutting, grinding, and cleaning metal. They join, fabricate, and repair metal and other weldable material by applying appropriate welding techniques. They will interpret blueprints, specifications, diagrams, or schematics to determine the appropriate welding process. The Welder Fabricator 1 will inspect completed welds to determine structural soundness. This position should be familiar with and comply with all safety requirements and protocols for working in a hazardous environment. This position may also prepare the materials and set up for a welding device or robot.
CORE FUNCTIONS
- Perform MIG & TIG welding on products.
- Perform cosmetic welding on products.
- Must be able to meet daily productivity and output goals (production outputs are measured hourly/daily).
- Set up components for welding according to specifications, work orders and/or prints.
- Weld components using manual or semi-automatic welding equipment in various positions (vertical/horizontal).
- Repair product and other components by welding pieces and filling gaps.
- Test and inspect welded surfaces and structure to discover flaws.
- Maintain equipment in a condition that does not compromise safety.
- Cut aluminum to specifications.
QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS
Education and Experience
- High School Diploma, general education degree (GED), and/or completion certificate from a certified technical school required.
- Minimum 1-2 years of work-related experience as a MIG Welder required.
Required Licenses
- None
Skills, Abilities, and Knowledge
- Ability to read blueprints.
- Ability to use a tape measure and calculate fractions.
- Ability to visualize projects and put together timelines and processes to complete projects efficiently and effectively.
Travel
- None.
COMPETENCIES
- Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
- Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals. Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.
- Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality.
- Meets productivity standards; completes work in timely manner; Strives to increase productivity; Works quickly.
- Observes safety and security procedures; Reports potentially unsafe conditions; Uses equipment and materials properly.
- Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to other views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Supports everyone’s efforts to succeed.
- Assesses own strengths and weaknesses; Pursues training and development opportunities; Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; Shares expertise with others.
SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES
- Individual Contributor: working team member with no oversight of others and no management responsibilities.
Physical Requirements
This position is subject to Medium Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
Physical Activities
This position is subject to the following physical activities: climbing, balancing, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, feeling, crawling, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions.
Visual Acuity
The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; expansive reading; visual inspection involving small defects, small parts and/or operation of machines (including inspection); using measurement devices; and/or assembly of fabrication of parts at distances close to the eyes.
Working Conditions
The worker is subject to inside and outside environmental conditions, including heat, noise, vibration, and hazards from a production-based environment.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Welder Fabricator Jobs
Certify your AWS credentials before applying
American Welding Society certifications like the Certified Welder or Certified Welding Inspector credential signal process-specific competency to U.S. employers. Having documented proof of your certifications ready speeds up the employer's LCA filing and reduces USCIS scrutiny on your qualifications.
Target manufacturers with active PERM labor certifications
Structural steel fabricators, shipyards, and heavy equipment manufacturers are the most consistent sponsors of permanent residence for welder fabricators. Search the DOL OFLC disclosure data to confirm which employers have filed PERM labor certifications for welding roles before you apply.
Distinguish H-2B from green card pathways early
H-2B sponsorship covers temporary or seasonal fabrication work and caps out at 66,000 slots annually. If you want long-term U.S. employment, target employers willing to run a full PERM labor certification, which establishes a permanent job offer and starts your green card priority date.
Find employers with verified sponsorship history on Migrate Mate
Filter your job search to employers who've already sponsored welder fabricator roles using LCA or PERM filings. Migrate Mate shows verified sponsorship history by role, so you're not cold-applying to employers who've never filed for a trade worker.
Use OFLC Wage Search to verify your offered wage
Your employer must pay the prevailing wage for your specific welding process and geographic area. Run your job title and work location through the OFLC Wage Search before accepting an offer, so you can flag any gap before the LCA is filed with DOL.
Get your foreign trade credentials formally evaluated
If your welding qualifications came from outside the U.S., a formal credential evaluation from a NACES-member organization helps your employer document equivalency during PERM or H-2B filing. Without it, the DOL audit process can stall your application while the employer scrambles to prove your background meets the job requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a welder fabricator role qualify for H-1B sponsorship?
Generally no. The H-1B visa requires a specialty occupation, defined as a role that normally requires at least a bachelor's degree in a directly related academic field. Most welder fabricator positions are classified as skilled trades and don't meet that standard. H-2B for temporary work or EB-3 through PERM for permanent residence are the more realistic pathways for this role.
How do employers sponsor welder fabricators for a green card?
Most welder fabricators qualify under the EB-3 skilled worker category, which covers roles requiring at least two years of training or experience. The employer files a PERM labor certification with DOL to prove no qualified U.S. workers are available, then submits an I-140 petition to USCIS. Processing timelines vary significantly depending on your country of birth and the current visa bulletin priority date.
What certifications strengthen a visa sponsorship application for welding roles?
American Welding Society certifications, process-specific qualifications like TIG, MIG, or stick welding endorsements, and documented experience with structural or pipe welding are the credentials employers reference in PERM and H-2B filings. The O*NET profile for welder fabricators confirms which skills and certifications USCIS and DOL treat as standard for the occupation.
Where can I find welder fabricator jobs with active visa sponsorship?
Migrate Mate lists employers with verified sponsorship history for welder fabricator roles, so you can focus on companies that have already navigated the filing process for this occupation.
Can a welder fabricator be sponsored on an H-2B visa?
Yes, if the employer can demonstrate that the need is temporary or seasonal. H-2B covers non-agricultural temporary work and has a 66,000 annual cap split across two half-year periods. Shipbuilders, construction contractors, and fabrication shops with project-based demand are common H-2B sponsors. The employer must file a temporary labor certification with DOL before submitting the I-129 petition to USCIS.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Welder Fabricator jobs?
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.