MIG Lead Welder
Company
Creative Staffing Inc.
Location
Chicago, IL
Job Type
Full-time
Via
via Talents By Vaia
Apply On
Job Description
Job Description
Job Description. A MIG Lead (Welding Team Lead) job involves supervising welders, ensuring quality & safety, managing workflow, and providing technical guidance, focusing on MIG/TIG welding to fabricate and repair metal structures, interpreting blueprints, maintaining equipment, and collaborating with production/engineering for process improvement, while also training junior staff and keeping records. Key Responsibilities
• Team Leadership: Plan, assign, and review work for a team of welders; provide training, mentorship, and performance feedback.
• Technical Execution: Perform complex MIG/TIG welding, cutting, brazing, and soldering on various metals (steel, aluminum, copper).
• Quality & Safety: Inspect welds, ensure compliance with industry standards (AWS, ASME), enforce safety protocols, and maintain equipment.
• Process Improvement: Collaborate with engineering to troubleshoot issues, optimize techniques, and improve overall production.
• Planning & Documentation: Read blueprints/schematics, estimate materials/labor, track production metrics, and maintain records.
• Equipment Management: Oversee maintenance of welding machines, tools, and shop equipment.
Powered by ExactHire:191421
Job Description. A MIG Lead (Welding Team Lead) job involves supervising welders, ensuring quality & safety, managing workflow, and providing technical guidance, focusing on MIG/TIG welding to fabricate and repair metal structures, interpreting blueprints, maintaining equipment, and collaborating with production/engineering for process improvement, while also training junior staff and keeping records. Key Responsibilities
• Team Leadership: Plan, assign, and review work for a team of welders; provide training, mentorship, and performance feedback.
• Technical Execution: Perform complex MIG/TIG welding, cutting, brazing, and soldering on various metals (steel, aluminum, copper).
• Quality & Safety: Inspect welds, ensure compliance with industry standards (AWS, ASME), enforce safety protocols, and maintain equipment.
• Process Improvement: Collaborate with engineering to troubleshoot issues, optimize techniques, and improve overall production.
• Planning & Documentation: Read blueprints/schematics, estimate materials/labor, track production metrics, and maintain records.
• Equipment Management: Oversee maintenance of welding machines, tools, and shop equipment.
Powered by ExactHire:191421
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers about Welder Jobs
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.
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.
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.
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.
