Welder III - Locomotive Repair

About the role

The Welder III is a highly skilled trades position at Wabtec's Kansas City facility, working on the remanufacturing and repair of locomotive components. You will work closely with production employees, welders, supervisors, quality, engineering, safety, maintenance and other production support teams, acting as a technical resource for welding operations, complex repairs, training and continuous improvement. The shift runs Monday to Thursday, 5:00am to 3:30pm, and may require overtime on Fridays and Saturdays.

Key responsibilities

• Perform advanced welding operations on large, complex components using approved welding procedures and specifications.
• Plan welding sequences and control heat, feed, current, voltage, electrodes and other parameters to ensure proper penetration, fusion and weld quality.
• Carry out weld build-up repairs, high-pressure welding, code welding and other critical welding applications.
• Read and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, welding symbols and work instructions.
• Align, fit and weld components while minimizing distortion and maintaining dimensional accuracy.
• Use air carbon arc gouging to remove defective welds and prepare materials for repair.
• Inspect completed welds, identify defects and take corrective action.
• Train, mentor and give technical guidance to less experienced welders, and support cross-training across production areas.
• Follow safety procedures, PPE requirements and quality standards, and maintain a clean work area.

Required profile

• Preferred associate degree (A.A.) or equivalent from a trade school with technical welding training.
• Minimum five years of welding experience for external candidates; minimum two years for internal candidates who have completed Level I and Level II Wabtec welding training.
• Completion of all local Welder I and Welder II training and qualification requirements.
• Ability to read and understand welding procedures, technical drawings, work instructions and business communications in English.
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision while maintaining safety, quality and productivity.

Required skills

• Advanced knowledge of MIG, TIG, Stick, Flux-Core and other applicable welding processes.
• Reading and interpreting blueprints, schematics, welding symbols and Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS).
• Understanding of metal properties and the effects of heat and welding on materials.
• Proficiency with grinders, cutting torches, plasma cutters and other fabrication tools.
• Precision measurement with calipers and micrometers.
• Identifying weld defects such as cracks, porosity, undercut, lack of fusion, inclusions and burn-through.
• Passing welder qualification tests per AWS D15.1.

Pay is listed at $30.50, subject to change depending on training, experience, education, market conditions and location. Benefits include health, welfare and retirement options, and possibly an annual bonus if eligible.