Fitter/Welder III

About the role

Capitol Engineering is hiring a Welder / Fitter 3 for our Phoenix fabrication shop. This is the senior-level role on the welding and fit-up career path - the highest standard of skill, technical knowledge, and craftsmanship on the shop floor.

Responsibilities

• Advanced Welding - Multi-Process, Multi-Material
• Perform GMAW (MIG), FCAW (Flux-Core), SMAW (Stick), and GTAW (TIG) welding in all positions (1F-4F, 1G-4G) on the full range of products and materials the shop produces.
• Handle the most complex and critical weld assignments in the facility - multi-pass welds, heavy plate, tank seams, pressure-retaining joints, wear-liner installation, and out-of-position work - with consistent quality and full procedure compliance.
• Verify all pre-weld conditions before every assignment: fit-up accuracy, joint cleanliness, material identification, applicable WPS, and any special product requirements.
• Advanced Fit-Up, Layout & Assembly
• Perform advanced fit-up and layout on large, multi-member assemblies - structural weldments, tank shells and heads, equipment frames, and custom fabrications - using blueprints as the reference.
• Establish datums, lay out component locations, and verify squareness, plumb, level, and dimensional accuracy across entire assemblies, accounting for material-specific distortion behavior during welding.
• Identify and resolve fit-up issues, joint-preparation deficiencies, and material discrepancies; escalate conflicts to the Shop Lead or Shop Foreman with a precise description when needed.
• Blueprint Reading & Material Knowledge
• Read and interpret full engineering blueprints - fabrication drawings, weld symbols, dimensional tolerances, material specifications, bills of material, and general notes - and extract everything needed to complete an assignment.
• Apply working knowledge of weldability, filler-metal requirements, joint preparation, and fume/safety considerations for each material.
• Recognize and mitigate material-related quality risks such as heat distortion on light gauge, carbide precipitation in stainless, and burn-through on aluminum; flag drawing errors or conflicts before work proceeds.
• Mentorship & Quality Leadership
• Provide hands-on technical guidance to Welder / Fitter 1 and 2 and apprentice personnel on welding technique, WPS application, fit-up methods, material handling, and quality standards.
• Serve as a shop-floor point of reference for welding procedure, WPS application, and quality questions; set the standard through consistent personal example.
• Communicate non-conformances to the Shop Lead and QC immediately and with specificity.
• Communicate observations about skill gaps and development needs to the Shop Lead and Welding Training & Qualification Specialist.
• Safety, Equipment & Housekeeping
• Lead by example in all matters of safety, PPE compliance, lockout/tagout, fume extraction, and housekeeping; enforce material-specific safety requirements and address unsafe conditions immediately.
• Operate welding equipment, cutting tools, and associated tooling proficiently and safely; perform pre-use checks and report issues promptly.
• Maintain work areas to the highest standard of organization and safety at all times.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; vocational welding certification, technical degree, or completed apprenticeship strongly preferred.
• 8+ years of production welding and/or fabrication experience across multiple product types and materials in a custom fabrication environment.
• Full-position welder performance qualifications (1F-4F, 1G-4G) in GMAW (MIG), FCAW (Flux-Core), SMAW (Stick), and GTAW (TIG) per applicable welding code or company WPS, current and documented.
• Demonstrated ability to weld on carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and AR plate.
• Demonstrated ability to perform advanced structural fit-up and layout using layout and measuring tools.
• Ability to read and interpret full engineering blueprints, weld symbols, and fabrication drawings.
• Demonstrated ability to train and develop less-experienced welders and fitters, with strong safety leadership and reliable attendance.

Preferred Experience

• Experience across a broad range of product types - structural steel, tanks, equipment frames, ducting, and wear components.
• Exposure to pressure-retaining weld joints or tank fabrication, including distortion control and weld-sequence planning.
• Knowledge of welding metallurgy and material-specific pre/post-weld requirements for stainless steel, aluminum, and AR plate.
• AWS Certified Welder and/or AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) credential.
• Prior experience in a senior welder, lead fabricator, or shop-floor mentorship role.
• OSHA 30 General Industry certification.

Work Schedule & Environment

Standard Monday through Friday schedule during regular facility operating hours. Occasional overtime may be required to meet production demands or project deadlines. This is an on-site position. Remote work is not applicable to the essential functions of this role.