A welding apparatus for an induction motor includes a fixture operable to support a rotor and rotate the rotor about an axis of rotation of the motor, and a welding head supported adjacent the fixture and operable to weld conductor bars located about the surface of the rotor to the first shorting ring when the fixture supports the rotor. A controller controls the fixture to selectively rotate the rotor. The controller moves the welding head, the fixture, or both, so that the welding head is in a welding position, and causes the welding head to weld the conductor bars to the first shorting ring while remaining in the welding position, with the rotor rotating to create a substantially circular weld path along the first shorting ring. In some embodiments, the conductor bars are welded to both shorting rings simultaneously. A method of welding an induction motor is also provided.