Welder

Sims Metal (Sims) is a global leader in metal recycling. With facilities across the globe, Sims plays an intrinsic role in the circular economy by making resources available for future use. As a responsible corporate citizen, we continuously seek new ways to broaden our participation in the environmental sector, ensuring that our future is as bright, safe, and secure as at any time in our long history.

Scrap Yard Welder/Fabricator – Southeast

Position Title: Welder/Fabricator
Department: Operations
Reports To: Maintenance Manager
FLSA Status: Non‑Exempt

Position Summary

The Welder/Fabricator plays a key role in supporting scrap yard operations by performing metal fabrication, repairing heavy equipment, maintaining yard infrastructure, and assisting with the processing of scrap materials. This role requires strong welding skills, mechanical aptitude, and the ability to work safely in an industrial outdoor environment.

Key Responsibilities

Welding & Fabrication

• Perform MIG, Stick, and/or Flux-Core welding on a variety of ferrous and non-ferrous metals.
• Fabricate, modify, and repair containers, dumpsters, skips, and other metal components.
• Build or reinforce structural components, guardrails, platforms, and equipment attachments.
• Interpret and work from drawings, sketches, and verbal instructions.

Equipment Repair & Maintenance

• Assist in repairing scrap yard equipment such as material handlers, loaders, skid steers, conveyors, shredders, shears, and balers.
• Cut metal using oxy-acetylene torches, plasma cutters, and other cutting tools.
• Perform basic mechanical tasks including bolting, grinding, and fitting components.

Scrap Yard Operations

• Collaborate with the operations team to ensure safe and efficient metal processing.
• Assist with dismantling or cutting oversized scrap for processing.
• Help maintain yard organization, equipment staging, and safe workflow.

Safety & Compliance

• Follow all OSHA and facility-specific safety policies.
• Use proper PPE and ensure work areas are kept clean and hazard-free.
• Inspect tools and equipment regularly to ensure safe operation.

Qualifications & Skills

• 2+ years of welding or fabrication experience (scrap yard or industrial setting preferred).
• Proficiency in MIG and Stick welding; oxy-fuel cutting required.
• Ability to read blueprints or fabrication drawings.
• Comfortable working outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Strong mechanical aptitude; experience with heavy equipment repair is a plus.
• Ability to lift 50–75 lbs and perform physically demanding tasks.

Work Environment

• Outdoor industrial scrap yard setting.
• Exposure to loud noises, heavy machinery, dust, and weather conditions.
• Requires adherence to strict safety protocols.

Preferred Certifications (Not Required)

• AWS welding certification(s)
• Forklift or skid steer certification
• OSHA 10/30 training

Work Environment

• Outdoor industrial environment with exposure to weather, dust, heavy machinery, and noise.
• Requires standing, bending, lifting, and repetitive physical activity throughout the shift.

Physical Requirements

• Lift, carry, push, and pull heavy materials.
• Stand or walk for extended periods.
• Ability to climb, balance, crouch, and perform manual labor safely.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and use hands to finger, handle, or feel materials and equipment. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, and communicate verbally. The employee is also frequently required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl when accessing or servicing equipment.

The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds.

Specific vision abilities required for this role include:

• Close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, ability to adjust focus.

A career with Sims provides you with the opportunity to work with an organization whose goal is to be the world’s safest and most responsible recycling company. Our people achieve this by creating a zero-harm workplace, being exemplary members of the communities in which we operate, and being responsible stewards of the environment. We also offer competitive pay and a range of attractive benefits.

Sims is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We value the diversity of all of our employees and are committed to creating an inclusive working environment where everyone can contribute, advance on merit, and realize their full potential. Sims does not discriminate with regard to race, sex, religion, color, national origin, citizenship status, disability, age, marital or familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, housing status, source of income, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws. This applies to any employment decision, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.  qualified applicants with a disability in need of a reasonable accommodation may request such without fear of reprisal or discrimination. 

To achieve our purpose to create a world without waste to preserve our planet, we are guided by our Principles of Purpose: Be Safe + Well, Band Together, Be Accountable + Transparent, Consistently Innovate, Inspire with Purpose, Celebrate + Have Fun.