Welder III

Welder IIILocation: Richland, WA Company: Columbia Energy & Environmental Services, Inc. Employment Type: Full-time, Non-ExemptColumbia Energy & Environmental Services, headquartered in Richland, WA, is a well-established small business with over 30 years of experience supporting the nuclear, defense, energy, and hazardous waste industries. Originally founded to assist with nuclear cleanup efforts at Hanford, we have since grown into a full-service engineering, design, and fabrication company serving both federal and commercial clients.Our success is built on technical precision, teamwork, and integrity. We take pride in maintaining a strong reputation for quality and compliance while fostering a collaborative, safety-focused work environment.Why Join Columbia Energy?At Columbia Energy, our fabrication team works on technically complex and meaningful projects in a safety-driven environment. We value craftsmanship, accountability, and pride in work. This role offers competitive wages, comprehensive benefits, and the opportunity to contribute to high-quality fabrication efforts that support important national missions.Position OverviewWe are seeking a full-time Welder III to join our fabrication team at our Richland, WA facility. This role performs advanced welding and fabrication work requiring a high degree of skill, independence, and technical judgment.The Welder III reads and interprets complex blueprints and engineering plans and uses drawings, travelers, and work plans to determine proper weld sequencing to minimize distortion and warpage caused by heat input. This role is responsible for laying out, cutting, fitting, prepping, tacking, and welding components in accordance with drawing requirements and qualified Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS) defined in each job's Fabrication, Inspection, and Test Plan (FITP).The Welder III ensures completed components safely meet or exceed blueprint configurations, tolerances, and quality requirements while maintaining a strong focus on safety, documentation accuracy, and workmanship.Essential Responsibilities & DutiesPerform welding on critical and support equipment in accordance with qualified Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS)Perform structural welding on parts and components per project travelers, engineering drawings, work orders, and applicable specificationsRead, understand, and follow WPS requirements, welding symbols, and fabrication documentationApply working knowledge of AWS and ASME codes to ensure compliance with drawing and specification requirementsApply working knowledge of GD&T to accurately fabricate components to drawing tolerancesFabricate, fit, tack, and weld parts in accordance with project documentation, with minimal supervisionSelect proper WPS, filler metals, shielding gases, and welding processes based on material type and job requirementsDetermine proper welding sequences to prevent or minimize distortion and warpageFabricate weld fixtures, templates, and work aids as required for complex welding projectsPerform multiple welding processes as required, including FCAW, GMAW, GTAW, and SMAW, including pre- and post-weld heating when specifiedAssemble basic mechanical equipment, structural components, and piping systemsPerform self-verification of welded parts and assemblies prior to inspection to ensure work meets or exceeds acceptance criteriaInterface with QA/QC, engineering, and customer personnel to support inspections and resolve technical issuesMeasure work pieces to verify dimensional accuracy and acceptability per drawing and specification requirementsRemove burrs, sharp edges, rust, and scale from work pieces as requiredMaintain accurate weld records and ensure all required documentation is completed and kept current as work progressesReport unsafe conditions, unsafe equipment, or quality concerns promptlyMaintain a clean, organized, and safe work areaPerform all duties in a safe and professional manner and in accordance with company policies and proceduresPerform other job-related duties as assignedRequired QualificationsEight (8) or more years of welding experience with demonstrated welding qualifications; or a combination of four (4) or more years of experience and an Associate of Applied Science in Welding Technology or equivalentAbility to pass multiple Columbia Energy welding qualification testsExtensive working knowledge of welding materials, processes, and proceduresAbility to safely operate welding equipment, tools, machinery, and shop equipmentAbility to read, write, and comprehend verbal instructions and written technical documentationAbility to perform shop math required for layout and fabrication, including fractions, decimals, and basic geometryU.S. citizenship required due to the nature of government contractsAbility to pass an employment record review, criminal background check, and drug screen (drug- and alcohol-free workplace)Reliable transportation to and from workPreferred QualificationsExperience in R&D or prototype fabrication environmentsExperience working under NQA-1 or ASME Section VIII quality programsExperience performing welds regularly subjected to nondestructive testing such as UT and RTAbility to weld pipe, sheet metal, and structural steelKey Success AttributesStrong attention to detail and workmanshipTeam-oriented approach with the ability to collaborate effectivelyPositive attitude that contributes to a respectful, productive work environmentAbility to maintain a steady, efficient pace throughout the work shiftSelf-motivated with the ability to perform well with varying levels of supervisionPhysical RequirementsFrequent standing, walking, bending, squatting, and liftingAbility to lift, carry, and move up to 50 lbsAbility to use hands and arms repetitively to handle tools, materials, and equipmentAbility to work at heights, climb ladders and stairs, and operate from platforms or man lifts using appropriate fall protectionAbility to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE), including hard hats, safety glasses, hearing protection, respirators, gloves, safety vests, and leather work bootsAbility to work in hot, cold, and damp environmentsWorking ConditionsPerformed in a shop, construction, and occasional field environmentFast-paced, deadline-driven atmosphere with a strong emphasis on safety and qualityOccasional work at vendor locations or industrial job sites as requiredEqual Opportunity EmployerColumbia Energy is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal and state law.