Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Set up, operate, or tend welding, soldering, or brazing machines or robots that weld, braze, solder, or heat treat metal products, components, or assemblies. Includes workers who operate laser cutters or laser-beam machines.
How AI Impacts Each Task
29 tasks analyzed
Inspect, measure, or test completed metal workpieces to ensure conformance to specifications, using measuring and testing devices.
Read blueprints, work orders, or production schedules to determine product or job instructions or specifications.
Load or feed workpieces into welding machines to join or bond components.
Observe meters, gauges, or machine operations to ensure that soldering or brazing processes meet specifications.
Assemble, align, and clamp workpieces into holding fixtures to bond, heat-treat, or solder fabricated metal components.
Set up, operate, or tend welding machines that join or bond components to fabricate metal products or assemblies.
Turn and press knobs and buttons or enter operating instructions into computers to adjust and start welding machines.
Lay out, fit, or connect parts to be bonded, calculating production measurements as necessary.
Compute and record settings for new work, applying knowledge of metal properties, principles of welding, and shop mathematics.
Correct problems by adjusting controls or by stopping machines and opening holding devices.
Set dials and timing controls to regulate electrical current, gas flow pressure, heating or cooling cycles, or shut-off.
Give directions to other workers regarding machine set-up and use.
Select, position, align, and bolt jigs, holding fixtures, guides, or stops onto machines, using measuring instruments and hand tools.
Mark weld points and positions of components on workpieces, using rules, squares, templates, or scribes.
Clean, lubricate, maintain, and adjust equipment to maintain efficient operation, using air hoses, cleaning fluids, and hand tools.
Prepare metal surfaces or workpieces, using hand-operated equipment, such as grinders, cutters, or drills.
Transfer components, metal products, or assemblies, using moving equipment.
Record operational information on specified production reports.
Conduct trial runs before welding, soldering, or brazing and make necessary adjustments to equipment.
Remove completed workpieces or parts from machinery, using hand tools.
Select torch tips, alloys, flux, coil, tubing, or wire, according to metal types or thicknesses, data charts, or records.
Tend auxiliary equipment used in welding processes.
Fill hoppers and position spouts to direct flow of flux or manually brush flux onto seams of workpieces.
Devise or build fixtures or jigs used to hold parts in place during welding, brazing, or soldering.
Start, monitor, and adjust robotic welding production lines.
Add chemicals or materials to workpieces or machines to facilitate bonding or to cool workpieces.
Immerse completed workpieces into water or acid baths to cool and clean components.
Dress electrodes, using tip dressers, files, emery cloths, or dressing wheels.
Anneal finished workpieces to relieve internal stress.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inspect, measure, or test completed metal workpieces to ensure conformance to specifications, using measuring and testing devices. | 75Estimated | 63.0% | 5% | |
| Read blueprints, work orders, or production schedules to determine product or job instructions or specifications. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 4% | |
| Load or feed workpieces into welding machines to join or bond components. | 60Estimated | 57.0% | 8% | |
| Observe meters, gauges, or machine operations to ensure that soldering or brazing processes meet specifications. | 95Estimated | 87.2% | 5% | |
| Assemble, align, and clamp workpieces into holding fixtures to bond, heat-treat, or solder fabricated metal components. | 45Estimated | 51.0% | 6% | |
| Set up, operate, or tend welding machines that join or bond components to fabricate metal products or assemblies. | 60Estimated | 57.0% | 8% | |
| Turn and press knobs and buttons or enter operating instructions into computers to adjust and start welding machines. | 75Estimated | 63.0% | 3% | |
| Lay out, fit, or connect parts to be bonded, calculating production measurements as necessary. | 40Estimated | 49.0% | 4% | |
| Compute and record settings for new work, applying knowledge of metal properties, principles of welding, and shop mathematics. | 95Estimated | 87.2% | 3% | |
| Correct problems by adjusting controls or by stopping machines and opening holding devices. | 70Estimated | 61.0% | 3% | |
| Set dials and timing controls to regulate electrical current, gas flow pressure, heating or cooling cycles, or shut-off. | 75Estimated | 63.0% | 3% | |
| Give directions to other workers regarding machine set-up and use. | 35Estimated | 29.0% | 2% | |
| Select, position, align, and bolt jigs, holding fixtures, guides, or stops onto machines, using measuring instruments and hand tools. | 40Estimated | 49.0% | 4% | |
| Mark weld points and positions of components on workpieces, using rules, squares, templates, or scribes. | 65Estimated | 59.0% | 3% | |
| Clean, lubricate, maintain, and adjust equipment to maintain efficient operation, using air hoses, cleaning fluids, and hand tools. | 35Estimated | 47.0% | 4% | |
| Prepare metal surfaces or workpieces, using hand-operated equipment, such as grinders, cutters, or drills. | 40Estimated | 49.0% | 4% | |
| Transfer components, metal products, or assemblies, using moving equipment. | 75Estimated | 63.0% | 3% | |
| Record operational information on specified production reports. | 97Estimated | 88.0% | 2% | |
| Conduct trial runs before welding, soldering, or brazing and make necessary adjustments to equipment. | 60Estimated | 57.0% | 3% | |
| Remove completed workpieces or parts from machinery, using hand tools. | 45Estimated | 51.0% | 4% | |
| Select torch tips, alloys, flux, coil, tubing, or wire, according to metal types or thicknesses, data charts, or records. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 2% | |
| Tend auxiliary equipment used in welding processes. | 50Estimated | 53.0% | 3% | |
| Fill hoppers and position spouts to direct flow of flux or manually brush flux onto seams of workpieces. | 50Estimated | 53.0% | 2% | |
| Devise or build fixtures or jigs used to hold parts in place during welding, brazing, or soldering. | 20Estimated | 17.0% | 2% | |
| Start, monitor, and adjust robotic welding production lines. | 80Estimated | 65.0% | 3% | |
| Add chemicals or materials to workpieces or machines to facilitate bonding or to cool workpieces. | 50Estimated | 53.0% | 2% | |
| Immerse completed workpieces into water or acid baths to cool and clean components. | 70Estimated | 61.0% | 2% | |
| Dress electrodes, using tip dressers, files, emery cloths, or dressing wheels. | 75Estimated | 63.0% | 2% | |
| Anneal finished workpieces to relieve internal stress. | 70Estimated | 61.0% | 2% |
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Reading Comprehension is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Equipment Maintenance is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
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Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
Last scored March 14, 2026 · Based on BLS employment data and O*NET task analysis