Senior Welder

Location: Everett, WA

The Senior Welder at Fluke produces cosmetically critical, leak-tight welds on tanks and other visible, water-tight components, mentors other welders, and partners with engineering and quality to solve welding challenges and improve processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform precision GTAW/TIG welding on thin-gauge stainless steel and aluminum, including tanks and assemblies with high aesthetic requirements.

• Control heat input, amperage, and travel technique to minimize distortion, warping, and burn-through on thin material.

• Produce clean, consistent welds that meet cosmetic acceptance criteria — free of excessive heat tint/bluing, discoloration, and surface defects.

• Set up and manage shielding gas, back-purging, and trailing shields to protect weld and heat-affected zone quality.

• Maintain strict cleanliness practices (material prep, dedicated tooling, stainless/aluminum contamination control) and meet surface finish requirements.

• Fixture, fit up, and tack precision sheet metal parts to tight tolerances; plan weld sequences to control distortion.

• Read and interpret engineering drawings, weld symbols, and WPS requirements.

• Inspect own work and perform post-weld cleaning, heat tint removal, and finishing as required.

• Troubleshoot weld quality issues (porosity, lack of fusion, cracking, distortion, discoloration) and recommend corrective actions with engineering and quality.

• Mentor and train less experienced welders; help standardize best practices and work instructions.

• Support process improvement efforts, including evaluating new technologies such as laser welding to improve quality and reduce rework.

• Follow all safety procedures and PPE requirements.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; welding certificate or technical school training preferred.

• 5+ years of hands-on welding experience, with a primary focus on thin-gauge stainless steel and aluminum.

• Expert GTAW/TIG skills on thin-gauge material, including pulsed TIG.

• Proven ability to control heat input and distortion on thin-gauge parts.

• Experience meeting cosmetic/visual weld acceptance criteria where appearance is critical.

• Knowledge of stainless-steel heat tint/discoloration control, including shielding, purging, cleanliness, and post-weld cleaning.

• Precision sheet metal fabrication experience, including fit-up and fixturing.

• Ability to read drawings, weld symbols, and WPS requirements.

• Strong attention to detail and pride in workmanship.

• Experience with leak-tight, water-tight, or tank welding, including familiarity with leak testing methods.

Preferred Qualifications

• Gas-tight welding experience, such as tube-to-tube or tube-to-fitting welds (orbital tube welding a plus).

• Brazing experience (torch or furnace).

• Experience with or knowledge of laser welding

• AWS or equivalent GTAW certification on stainless steel and/or aluminum sheet.

• Background in sanitary, food/beverage, pharmaceutical, semiconductor, or other high-purity/cosmetic fabrication.

• Familiarity with visual inspection and dye penetrant testing.

Physical / Work Environment (Typical)

• Work is performed in a fabrication shop environment with exposure to noise, heat, and UV light (with required PPE).

• Ability to stand, sit, or kneel for extended periods and perform detailed work requiring a steady hand and good visual acuity.

Competencies

• Craftsmanship and pride in weld appearance

• Technical accuracy and attention to detail

• Patience and precision on cosmetically critical work

• Strong communication and collaboration with engineering and quality

• Continuous improvement mindset and openness to new technologies

• Willingness to mentor and share knowledge