Welder & Fabricator – Railcar Repair

Welder & Fabricator – Railcar Repair


Company
Aerotek
Location
Houston, TX
Job Type
Contractor
Salary
22–25 an hour
Posted
1 day ago
Via
via Aerotek Jobs

Job Description
Job Title: Welder & Fabricator – Railcar Repair

Job Description

This role focuses on rail and tank car repair, combining MIG/flux welding with a strong emphasis on fabrication and assembly. You will spend approximately 20% of your time welding and 80% fabricating and assembling components, working from blueprints and drawings to build and repair structural elements on railcars. The position offers the opportunity to grow into an officially certified railcar repair professional.

Responsibilities
β€’ Perform MIG and flux core welding on railcars and structural components, including overhead welding as required.
β€’ Fabricate and assemble railcar components, spending the majority of time on fitting, assembly, and structural work.
β€’ Read and interpret blueprints, drawings, and production documentation to complete fabrication and repair tasks accurately.
β€’ Cut steel using an oxy-fuel torch and prepare materials for welding and assembly.
β€’ Fit up parts, perform tack welding, and verify dimensions and alignment to ensure quality and structural integrity.
β€’ Assist with structural welding and repair work on railcars, tank cars, and hopper cars in a production environment.
β€’ Follow relevant railcar repair standards and guidelines, including those associated with industry and regulatory bodies.
β€’ Work safely in a non-climate-controlled manufacturing facility, following all safety procedures and using proper protective equipment.
β€’ Support railcar repair operations as needed, including general fabrication tasks and collaboration with other team members.

Essential Skills
β€’ Proven structural welding experience in a manufacturing or repair environment.
β€’ Hands-on MIG and flux core welding experience, including overhead welding capability.
β€’ Ability to read and interpret blueprints and fabrication drawings accurately.
β€’ Experience cutting steel with an oxy-fuel torch and preparing materials for welding and assembly.
β€’ Comfortable with a workload consisting of approximately 20% welding and 80% fabricating and assembling.
β€’ Ability to work full shifts in a non-climate-controlled manufacturing facility.
β€’ Willingness to follow industry and regulatory standards related to railcar and tank car repair.

Additional Skills & Qualifications
β€’ Railcar repair experience, particularly with tank cars and hopper cars.
β€’ Familiarity with railcar production environments and related repair standards.
β€’ Exposure to guidelines and practices associated with major rail industry and regulatory organizations.
β€’ Interest in developing long-term skills and becoming officially certified in railcar repair.

Why Work Here?

You will work in a recently renovated, modern facility that has been built out with the customer’s needs in mind, providing an updated and efficient environment. The operation is in a growth phase and needs to staff up, offering a strong opportunity to join at an early stage and shape your career path as the business expands. The organization is looking for people it can invest in for the long term, providing a pathway to formal certification in railcar repair and ongoing skill development.

Work Environment

This role is based in a non-climate-controlled manufacturing facility dedicated to rail and tank car repair and fabrication. You will work with welding equipment, oxy-fuel torches, and standard fabrication and assembly tools on the shop floor. The standard shift runs from 6:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, with some Saturdays as needed to meet production demands. The environment is industrial and hands-on, requiring appropriate work attire and personal protective equipment suitable for welding, cutting, and fabrication activities.

Seeking 4 day shift and 4 night shift welders
β€’ 1st shift- 6:00am- 4:30pm M-F, some Sat
β€’ 2nd shift- 5:00p- 3:30a M-F, some Sat
Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Houston, TX 77095.
Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $22.00 - $25.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job
classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be
subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits
available for this temporary role may include the following:

β€’ Medical, dental & vision

β€’ Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital

β€’ 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available

β€’ Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)

β€’ Short and long-term disability

β€’ Health Spending Account (HSA)

β€’ Transportation benefits

β€’ Employee Assistance Program

β€’ Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Houston,TX 77095.
Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on May 13, 2026.

About Aerotek:

We know that finding work is hard, and finding meaningful work is harder. Aerotek connects 180,000+ light industrial and skilled trades workers with 14,000+ employers each year, helping our workers navigate an evolving labor market and find jobs that meets their goals, skills and interests. Since 1983, we have provided a variety of career opportunities across North American industry – from short-term assignments at Fortune 500 companies where you can build your skills, to long-term opportunities where you can play a vital role solving for companies’ construction, manufacturing and maintenance challenges. Our 1,500+ experienced recruiters across 250+ offices work relentlessly to put our workforce in a position to thrive. Let us rise to meet your challenges and put our people-are everything spirit to the test as your career continues to grow.

Aerotek offers weekly pay, employee benefits including medical, dental & vision, life insurance, health advocacy and employee assistance programs, a 401(k) plan, and employee discounts.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers about Welder Jobs

Q What is the median hourly wage for welders in the United States as of January 2026 including overtime rates?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the median hourly wage for welders at $28.45 as of January 2026 with time-and-a-half overtime required after 40 hours under FLSA rules. Welders in manufacturing earn an additional $4.20 per hour on average for night shifts. Annual median earnings reach $59,176 for full-time roles.
Q How many hours per week can welders legally work in the United States without overtime pay in 2026?
The U.S. Department of Labor sets the standard workweek at 40 hours with overtime at 1.5 times the regular rate required after that threshold in 2026. Welders on federal contracts receive double time for hours over 48 in a workweek. Paid sick leave of up to 56 hours annually applies under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act extensions.
Q What education and experience are required to qualify for welder jobs in the United States in 2026?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics states a high school diploma plus 6-12 months of postsecondary welding training or apprenticeship is required for 2026 entry-level positions. Three years of documented experience is mandatory for structural welding roles under AWS D1.1 standards referenced by DOL. Certification in SMAW or GMAW processes must be completed before hire.
Q What documents are required to apply for welder positions through U.S. Department of Labor registered apprenticeships in 2026?
Applicants must submit Form ETA-671, high school transcripts, and proof of U.S. work authorization to DOL-registered programs by March 2026 deadlines. A valid driver's license and negative drug test results from a SAMHSA-certified lab are mandatory. Background checks via FBI fingerprinting are required for nuclear or pipeline welding tracks.
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