Orbital Welder
Therm-X, California
Therm-x of California is the leading manufacture for Advanced Temperature and Control Systems for Hi-Technology industries. We have been in business for over 30 years and have a diverse customer base. We offer competitive pay, and a comprehensive benefits package.
The Orbital Welder / Tube Bender / Tube Preparation Technician is responsible for preparing, fabricating, and assembling tube and piping components to specification using tube cutting, facing, deburring, bending, fitting, and orbital welding processes. This role supports safe, high-quality production by interpreting technical drawings, operating specialized equipment, maintaining dimensional accuracy, and ensuring finished assemblies meet workmanship and quality standards.
Key Responsibilities
- Set up and operate orbital welding equipment and related tools in accordance with work instructions, engineering drawings, and approved procedures.
- Perform tube preparation activities including cutting, facing, deburring, cleaning, fit-up, and alignment of tubing and fittings prior to assembly or welding.
- Operate tube bending equipment to produce parts that meet dimensional, angular, and cosmetic requirements.
- Read and interpret blueprints, isometric drawings, work orders, and specifications to determine required materials, dimensions, tolerances, and sequence of operations.
- Inspect parts and assemblies using measuring tools such as calipers, micrometers, angle finders, gauges, and other inspection devices.
- Verify weld quality and part conformance through visual inspection and other approved inspection methods.
- Maintain cleanliness of tubing, fittings, and work areas to support quality and contamination control requirements.
- Perform tack-up, fit-up, and assembly support work as needed before final welding.
- Monitor machine settings and make routine adjustments within established limits to maintain quality and repeatability.
- Document production, inspection, and quality records accurately and completely.
- Perform routine maintenance and basic troubleshooting on welding, bending, cutting, and tube preparation equipment.
- Work closely with engineering, quality, and production teams to resolve issues and improve processes.
- Follow all safety procedures, including proper use of personal protective equipment, housekeeping, and material handling practices.
- Support continuous improvement efforts related to safety, quality, productivity, and standard work.
Required Qualification
- High school diploma or GED required; technical school, vocational training, or equivalent manufacturing experience preferred.
- Experience in orbital welding, tube fabrication, tube bending, or closely related metal fabrication/manufacturing work.
- Ability to read and interpret blueprints, drawings, and written work instructions.
- Working knowledge of tube cutting, facing, deburring, fit-up, and assembly preparation methods.
- Experience using precision measuring instruments and inspection tools.
- Knowledge of welding safety practices, shop safety standards, and quality requirements.
- Ability to work with stainless steel, high-purity tubing, or other production materials as required by the application.
- Strong mechanical aptitude, attention to detail, and commitment to workmanship quality.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Basic math skills for measurements, tolerances, and fabrication calculations.
Preferred Qualifications
- Certification or formal training in orbital welding, GTAW/TIG welding, or tube fabrication.
- Experience working to AWS, ASME, aerospace, semiconductor, sanitary, or other industry-specific quality standards.
- Experience with high-purity, pressure, or critical process tubing systems.
- Familiarity with purge systems, weld schedules, borescope inspection, and cleanliness requirements.
- Experience with CNC or manual rotary draw tube benders.
Physical Requirements / Work Environment
- Ability to stand for extended periods and perform repetitive hand and arm movements.
- Ability to lift, carry, and move materials, parts, and equipment in accordance with workplace guidelines.
- Ability to work in manufacturing, shops, cleanroom, or production environments as required.
- Ability to use appropriate personal protective equipment, including welding and eye protection, gloves, hearing protection, and protective clothing.
- May require bending, kneeling, reaching, climbing, or working in tight spaces depending on the application.