The manufacturing and metal fabrication sector across Minnesota continues to offer excellent career stability and strong earning potential for skilled trade professionals. As industrial operations expand, local employers are actively recruiting dependable, team-oriented workers to support production needs. Midwest Manufacturing, a well-established company in the region, has announced an exciting career opportunity for Welder/Fabricators at their Nashwauk, Minnesota facility.
Whether you are an experienced welder seeking competitive pay and strong benefits, or a mid-level fabricator looking for long-term career growth in Iron Range country, this opening provides a stable, full-time environment. Below is a detailed breakdown of the position, key job responsibilities, pay rates, employee benefits, and how to apply.
About Midwest Manufacturing and the Nashwauk, MN Facility
Midwest Manufacturing is known for producing high-quality building materials, structural components, and custom metal products used across residential, commercial, and industrial construction. The company’s Nashwauk location operates as a key manufacturing hub in northern Minnesota, providing consistent year-round employment for local tradespeople.
Joining Midwest Manufacturing means becoming part of a culture that emphasizes safety, productivity, and collaboration. The Nashwauk plant fosters a team-centric environment where employees work together to deliver precision-crafted metal products while maintaining high quality control standards.
Position Summary: Welder / Fabricator
The Welder/Fabricator role at Midwest Manufacturing is an in-person, full-time position. Employees in this role perform metal joining, cutting, fit-up, and assembly operations based on blueprints, technical schematics, and production schedules.
Because quality and structural integrity are critical in manufacturing, Midwest Manufacturing looks for candidates who possess strong mechanical aptitude, attention to detail, and a solid understanding of fundamental welding processes.
Key Responsibilities and Daily Workload
While daily tasks vary depending on production schedules and active custom orders, the main duties of a Welder/Fabricator at the Nashwauk facility include:
1. Metal Fabrication and Preparation
- Reading and interpreting engineering drawings, blueprints, and work orders to plan fabrication steps.
- Cutting, grinding, drilling, and prepping steel or metal components for fit-up using shop machinery and hand tools.
- Aligning, clamping, and tack-welding parts together to maintain precise dimensions and tolerances.
2. Welding Operations
- Executing high-quality welds using standard shop welding methods (such as MIG / GMAW, Flux-Cored / FCAW, or TIG / GTAW depending on material specifications).
- Maintaining proper heat input, wire feed speed, and angle to ensure sound weld penetration and clean bead appearance.
- Inspecting completed welds for cracks, porosity, burn-through, or dimensional inaccuracies.
3. Equipment Maintenance and Workstation Safety
- Performing basic routine maintenance on welding equipment, torch lines, and power tools.
- Maintaining a clean, safe, and organized workstation to prevent trip hazards and equipment damage.
- Rigorously following company health and safety rules, including wearing appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as welding helmets, safety glasses, steel-toe boots, and protective leather.
4. Team Collaboration
- Working closely with machine operators, shop supervisors, and material handlers to keep production lines running smoothly.
- Communicating quality issues or blueprint discrepancies to site supervisors promptly.
Salary and Compensation Structure
Midwest Manufacturing offers competitive hourly pay rates tailored to an applicant’s skill level and hands-on experience:
| Compensation Detail | Specification |
| Job Type | Full-Time |
| Starting Pay Range | $20.00 – $27.00 per hour |
| Pay Determination | Based on previous welding/fabrication experience & weld test performance |
| Work Schedule | In-Person (Nashwauk, MN) |
Starting at $20.00 to $27.00 an hour, this rate provides a strong financial base for tradespeople in the Itasca County region, with potential room for advancement as skills and shop familiarity increase.
Employee Benefits Package
In addition to competitive hourly wages, Midwest Manufacturing provides a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employees’ health, financial security, and work-life balance:
- 401(k) Retirement Plan: Save for long-term financial security with convenient payroll deductions.
- 401(k) Matching: The company contributes directly to your retirement savings, boosting your overall compensation package.
- Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical coverage to protect you and your family against medical expenses.
- Life Insurance: Employer-supported life coverage providing financial peace of mind.
- Paid Time Off (PTO): Earned vacation and paid leave to rest, recharge, or attend to personal matters.
Candidate Qualifications and Requirements
Midwest Manufacturing seeks dependable individuals who take pride in their craft and work well within a shop crew.
Preferred Experience & Skills
- Welding Experience: 1 year of hands-on welding experience is preferred (MIG, TIG, or Flux-Cored).
- Blueprint Reading: Ability to read shop drawings, measurement scales, and fabrication symbols.
- Tool Proficiency: Familiarity with shop equipment like angle grinders, plasma cutters, band saws, and measuring tools.
- Physical Capability: Ability to stand for long shifts, lift metal stock, and maneuver in a shop environment.
- Team-Oriented Mindset: Strong communication skills, reliability, punctuality, and a willingness to help teammates.
Why Work in Nashwauk, MN with Midwest Manufacturing?
Located in northern Minnesota’s Iron Range region, Nashwauk offers an affordable cost of living, close-knit communities, and immediate access to outdoor recreation, hunting, fishing, and lakes.
Working for a major regional employer like Midwest Manufacturing provides the rare combination of local job stability, indoor shop work, and competitive industrial wages without requiring a long daily commute to major metropolitan centers.
How to Apply
If you have welding experience, enjoy working with your hands, and want to join a supportive manufacturing team in Nashwauk, MN:
- Prepare Your Resume: Ensure your work history highlights your welding techniques, equipment experience, certifications (if any), and past shop roles.
- Submit Your Application: Apply directly through Midwest Manufacturing’s official careers portal, local hiring boards, or in person at the Nashwauk facility.
- Weld Test & Interview: Qualified candidates will be invited for an interview and a practical hands-on weld test to demonstrate their fabrication skills.
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