What are the responsibilities and job description for the Journeyman Welder (Traveling) position at JGM?
About the Role
JGM is looking for experienced Traveling Journeyman Welders to join our field construction teams on projects across the country. This is a 100% traveling, hands-on structural steel position performing welding, fit-up, and related ironwork on active industrial and commercial construction sites.
You’ll work alongside ironworkers, foremen, and field leadership to complete structural steel connections safely, efficiently, and to project specifications. Candidates should be experienced with structural welding in field environments, comfortable working at heights, and able to consistently produce welds that meet inspection requirements.
What You’ll Do
- Perform structural steel welding on beams, columns, connections, reinforcement, and other structural members in accordance with project specifications and applicable AWS requirements.
- Weld in flat, horizontal, vertical, and overhead positions as required.
- Perform SMAW (Stick) and FCAW welding commonly used in structural steel erection and field construction.
- Read and interpret structural drawings, erection drawings, weld symbols, and connection details.
- Fit, tack, and prepare structural members and connections prior to final welding.
- Set up and operate welding equipment using the appropriate electrodes, wire, amperage, and settings for the application.
- Inspect your own work for weld quality, proper profile, undercut, porosity, and other potential defects before QC inspection.
- Complete weld repairs or corrections identified by a CWI or QC inspector.
- Pass required welder qualification/WPQ testing for applicable welding processes and positions.
- Assist with structural steel erection, bolt-up, connecting, rigging, and other field activities as needed.
- Follow all site-specific safety requirements, including fall protection, hot work, fire prevention, and steel erection procedures.
- Maintain welding equipment, leads, tools, and PPE in safe working condition.
- Travel between JGM project sites as assignments and project schedules require.
What You Bring
- Minimum 3 years of structural steel welding experience, preferably in field construction or steel erection.
- Demonstrated ability to produce quality structural welds in multiple positions.
- Experience with SMAW and/or FCAW welding processes.
- AWS D1.1 structural welding experience strongly preferred.
- Ability to read structural drawings, weld symbols, and connection details.
- Ability and willingness to pass JGM and/or project-specific weld tests prior to beginning work.
- Experience working around structural steel erection, cranes, rigging operations, and active construction equipment.
- Comfortable working at heights and using required fall-protection systems.
- Ability to safely perform physically demanding work for extended shifts.
- Willing and able to travel 100%, including extended assignments away from home and movement between projects as needed.
- Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
- Ability to pass required background screening and drug testing.
- Dependable, safety-focused, and able to work effectively with limited supervision.
Physical Requirements & Work Environment
- Work may be performed in both indoor and outdoor construction environments, depending on the project.
- Regularly required to climb, balance, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, and work at elevated heights.
- Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs., including welding equipment, leads, tools, and materials.
- Ability to remain on your feet and perform physically demanding work for extended periods, including 10–12 hour shifts when required.
- Must wear all required PPE, including welding hood, flame-resistant clothing, safety-toed boots, gloves, hearing protection, hard hat, safety glasses, and fall-protection equipment.
- Regular exposure to welding fumes, sparks, heat, noise, moving equipment, and other conditions typical of active structural steel construction sites.
- Vision must be sufficient, with or without correction, to evaluate fit-up, joint alignment, and weld quality.
Why JGM
JGM is an AISC-certified structural steel fabricator and industrial construction company with deep Pennsylvania roots and projects throughout the country. Our field teams perform challenging structural steel and industrial construction work for some of the nation’s leading companies.
This role offers the opportunity to work on long-term projects, build your field experience, and continue traveling with JGM as projects move across the country.
What We Offer
- Competitive pay based on experience and qualifications
- Per diem for qualifying traveling assignments
- Travel assistance/reimbursement in accordance with project requirements
- Consistent opportunities across JGM field projects
- Training and support toward OSHA and project-specific safety certifications
- Long-term opportunities for skilled welders who want to grow with JGM