Job Description

MIG Tank Welder | Rockford Area, IL

$25–$35/hr base + 15% night shift differential ($28.75–$40.25/hr on nights) | Full-time, on-site | 6-month contract-to-hire

A growing, family-owned manufacturer is hiring MIG Welders to build heavy-duty fuel tanks for backup power equipment. Whether you’re coming out of welding school with manufacturing experience or already know how to fit and weld a full tank to a watertight standard, you can test directly into the level that matches your skills. Each level has defined training milestones and pay ranges, so you’ll know what it takes to move up.

Pay by skill level

• Subassembly Welder — $25–$29/hr base
• Tank Welder — $29–$31/hr base
• Tank Testing & Repair Welder — $31–$33/hr base
• Lead Welder — $33–$35/hr base

What you’ll do

• Read fabrication prints, set up MIG equipment, and measure, fit, square, and tack components before welding.
• Make fillet, vertical-down, butt, and flange welds. At the tank welding level, you’ll fit full tanks and make watertight welds.
• Inspect and repair welds and prepare tanks for testing. Advanced roles include pressure, vacuum, and dye penetrant testing or training welders on the line.
• Move parts and assemblies with overhead cranes and forklifts after employer-provided training and certification.

What you’ll bring

• MIG welding experience or formal welding training, at least one year of manufacturing experience, and a high school diploma or GED.
• Ability to read fabrication prints, measure accurately, and lift or move up to 40 lbs.
• Entry-level welders must be able to earn AWS D1.1 Flat certification within 30 days of starting. Tank welding and higher levels require watertight welding experience and AWS D1.3 11-gauge certification.

Schedule & benefits

• Night shift — Sunday–Thursday, 6:00 PM–4:30 AM, plus every other Friday, 2:00 PM–7:00 PM. Expect about 53 hours per week.
• **Day Shift **- M-F - 5 AM - 3:30 PM
• Upon conversion — Medical, dental, and vision coverage, PTO, paid holidays, a 401(k) with company match, and eligibility for an attendance bonus of up to $850 annually.

Interested? Apply with your resume and include any tank welding, fit-up, or weld testing experience. The hiring process includes one on-site interview with a hands-on weld test that determines your starting level and pay.