{"schemaVersion":"1.0","exportedAt":"2026-05-15T12:40:49.350Z","occupation":{"soc":"51-4122.00","title":"Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders","group":"Production","sector":"31-33","jobZone":2,"jobZoneInferred":false},"framework":{"version":"v.26.05","description":"","contextCovered":"This framework covers machine-based welding, soldering, and brazing operations in a manufacturing production environment, spanning equipment setup, quality inspection, materials selection, process control, and documentation from entry-level operation through departmental leadership.","levels":{"emerging":{"label":"Emerging","statements":["Work orders and production schedules — read and interpret under direct supervision to identify basic job specifications on the shop floor.","Welding machine controls and settings — identify and distinguish under guidance before operating equipment on a fabrication line.","Metal workpieces and completed assemblies — visually inspect for obvious surface defects under the direction of a lead operator.","Hand-operated grinders and cutters — use to prepare metal surfaces according to step-by-step instructions in a production setting.","Torch tips, alloys, and flux materials — select from labeled inventory following a data chart provided by a supervisor.","Parts and components to be bonded — lay out and fit according to templates or diagrams under close oversight on the production floor.","Basic measuring devices such as calipers and gauges — apply to check workpiece dimensions against stated specifications with supervisor verification.","Operational information and machine run data — record on standardized production report forms under supervisor direction.","Machine holding devices and clamps — open and close safely following lockout/tagout procedures as instructed by a lead technician.","Active listening skills — demonstrate by following verbal instructions from lead operators and asking clarifying questions during shift briefings."]},"developing":{"label":"Developing","statements":["Blueprints and work orders — read and translate into machine setup parameters with minimal oversight on a mid-volume fabrication line.","Welding machines for joining metal assemblies — set up, operate, and tend routinely across common metal types in a production environment.","Measuring and testing devices — apply independently to inspect completed workpieces and confirm dimensional conformance to specifications.","Machine controls and operating parameters — adjust to correct process deviations when weld quality or output falls outside acceptable limits.","Torch tips, wire gauges, and flux selections — choose according to metal thickness and job records without requiring supervisor approval for standard applications.","Production report forms and shift logs — complete accurately and consistently, capturing key operational data for supervisory review.","Metal surfaces — prepare using grinders, drills, and cutters with consistent technique to meet surface quality requirements before bonding.","Component fit-up and part alignment — execute with production measurements calculated independently for familiar assembly configurations.","Minor machine stoppages and holding-device errors — identify root cause and resolve by adjusting controls or resetting the machine during routine production shifts.","Industrial control software interfaces — navigate to monitor machine status and input setup parameters within established production workflows."]},"proficient":{"label":"Proficient","statements":["Complex blueprints and multi-step production schedules — interpret autonomously and convert into precise machine configurations across a full range of metal products.","Welding, soldering, and brazing machines — set up and operate across the full scope of available equipment types, handling non-standard alloys and irregular workpiece geometries.","Measurement and testing protocols — apply systematically to verify weld integrity, dimensional accuracy, and surface quality against tight engineering tolerances.","Process deviations and recurring quality defects — diagnose through critical analysis of machine settings, material properties, and environmental factors, then implement corrective actions.","Material and consumable selection — determine optimal torch tips, alloys, coil, tubing, and wire for uncommon or challenging metal combinations using technical records and deductive reasoning.","Part layout, fit, and connection sequences — plan and execute independently for complex assemblies, including calculating custom production measurements without reference templates.","Surface preparation procedures — perform and verify across varied metal conditions, selecting the appropriate hand-operated tool and technique for each workpiece type.","ERP and spreadsheet software — use to track production output, material consumption, and machine performance data, supporting accurate reporting across shifts.","Problem sensitivity on the production line — detect subtle early indicators of equipment wear, weld discontinuities, or material inconsistencies before they result in nonconforming output.","Operational knowledge — share with newer operators through on-the-spot coaching and demonstration during live production runs."]},"advanced":{"label":"Advanced","statements":["Machine setup standards and operational procedures — develop and formalize for the welding and brazing department to ensure consistent quality and safety across all shifts.","Production schedules and workflow priorities — coordinate at a departmental level, balancing machine capacity, material availability, and customer deadlines.","Quality inspection criteria and measurement protocols — establish and update to reflect engineering specification changes, communicating requirements clearly to all operators.","Recurring process failures and systemic quality issues — lead root-cause investigations using complex problem-solving methods, implementing lasting corrective and preventive solutions.","Operator skill development programs — design and deliver, using real production scenarios to build competency in machine operation, blueprint reading, and quality inspection.","Material selection standards and consumable specifications — author for the facility, incorporating data chart updates and new alloy introductions into documented work instructions.","ERP and industrial control software configurations — oversee and guide, ensuring machine data, production reports, and inventory records align across systems.","Safety and cautiousness culture — champion across the production team by modeling lockout/tagout compliance, hazard identification, and incident-reporting best practices.","Cross-functional communication — lead between production, engineering, and management teams to translate technical welding requirements into actionable production plans.","Departmental performance metrics including throughput, scrap rate, and machine utilization — monitor, interpret, and present to plant leadership to drive continuous improvement decisions."]}}},"sources":{"onet":"v30.2 (CC BY 4.0)","crosswalk":"https://skillscrosswalk.com","generator":"LER.me"},"attribution":"© EBSCOed"}