Marine Welder is a highly skilled professional who works primarily in the maritime industry, including offshore platforms, shipyards, and other marine-related facilities. They primarily weld, repair, and fabricate structures and metal components used in offshore installations and marine vessels. Marine welders require utmost adherence to safety regulations and industry standards. They produce high-quality welds and ensure the structural integrity of marine equipment. The success in this role depends on experience, skills, knowledge, education, market trends, etc. So, let us dive into the details of a marine welder job description.
Post Highlights:
- Position Levels
- Education Level
- Course Types
- Certification/License
- Work Experience
- Duties/Responsibilities
- Equipment Types
- Abilities/Skills
- Work Environment
- Physical Demands
- Resume Format
- Top Industries
- Job Types
- Salary Information
- Benefits/Perks
Position Levels
Some common levels include-
- Apprentice Marine Welder
- Junior Marine Welder
- Intermediate Marine Welder
- Senior Marine Welder
- Certified Welding Inspector (CWI)
- Specialized Welder
Education Level
The typical educational levels include-
- High School Education (optional)
- Welding Programs/Training (optional)
- Apprenticeship (optional but recommended)
- Relevant AWS Certification (recommended)
- Continuing Education/Training (ongoing)
Course Types
Some common course types include-
- Advanced Welding Techniques Course
- Basic Welding Course
- Continuing Education/Workshops
- Customized Training Program
- Marine Welding Inspection Course
- Maritime Welding Technology Program
- Underwater Welding Course
- Welding Certification Preparation Course
- Welding Safety Course
Certification/License
Some common certification types include-
- AWS Certifications-
Certified Welder (CW)
Certified Welding Educator (CWE)
Certified Welding Inspector (CWI)
Certified Welding Supervisor (CWS)
- Underwater Welding Certifications-
Commercial Diver Certification
Underwater Welding Certification
- Marine-Specific Certifications-
Marine Welding Certification
Marine Aluminum Welding Certification
- American Bureau of Shipping Welder Qualification by ABS
- Bureau Veritas Welder Qualification
- International Institute of Welding Certification by IIW
- NCCER Certification by NCCER
Work Experience
Some common experience types include-
- Certification/Inspection Experience
- Collaborative Experience
- Diverse Material Experience
- International Project Experience
- Maintenance/Repairs Experience
- Marine Welding Equipment Experience (manufacturing)
- Offshore Welding Experience
- Shipbuilding/Repair Experience
- Specialized Welding Project Experience
- Underwater Welding Experience
Duties/Responsibilities
Some key duties include-
- Conduct non-destructive testing (NDT)
- Fabricate, assemble, and weld metal components
- Follow environmental regulations/procedures
- Identify/mitigate potential safety hazards
- Inspect completed welds
- Interpret and work from technical drawings
- Maintain accurate records of welding work
- Operate welding equipment efficiently/safely
- Perform welding in various positions
- Perform welding repairs and address potential issues
- Perform welding tasks using various welding processes
- Prepare metal surfaces for welding
- Select/prepare appropriate joint configurations
- Set welding parameters
- Stay updated on the latest welding techniques
- Strictly adhere to safety regulations
- Understand/follow layout and welding symbols
- Utilize cutting tools/thermal processes
- Weld different materials
- Work closely with other marine tradespeople
Equipment Types
Some common equipment types include-
- Welding Machines–
Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) Machines
Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) Machines
Flux-Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) Machines
Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) Welding Machines
- Welding Electrodes/Consumables
- Gas Cylinders/Regulators
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)-
Flame-resistant clothing
Respirators
Safety glasses or face shields
Welding gloves
Welding helmets
Welding jackets or aprons
- Welding Accessories-
Chipping hammers/wire brushes
Ground clamps/cables
Welding clamps/magnets
- Cutting Tools-
Oxy-fuel cutting torches
Plasma cutters
Abrasive cut-off wheels
- Welding Positioning Equipment-
Welding positioners
Turning rolls
Manipulators
- Welding Power Sources/Generators
- NDT Equipment-
Ultrasonic testers
Radiographic equipment
Dye penetrant kits
- Welding Workstations/Ventilation
- Welding Trucks/Mobile Welding Units
Abilities/Skills
Some essential skills include-
- Attention to detail
- Blueprint reading skills
- Continuous learning temperament
- Cutting/shaping competence
- Effective communication skills
- International standards familiarity
- Joint preparation skills
- Knowledge of environmental regulations
- Knowledge of welding parameters
- Positional welding proficiency
- Problem-solving skills
- Proficiency in various welding processes
- Proper material knowledge
- Quality control skills
- Safety awareness
- Time management skills
- Welding equipment operation ability
- Work adaptability/ability
Work Environment
Some common working conditions include-
- Exposure to welding fumes/contaminants
- Follow maritime regulations
- May also work on vessels at sea
- May be exposed to various weather conditions
- May need to lift heavy equipment/materials
- May need to travel to various job sites
- May require shift work/irregular hours
- Must strictly adhere to safety protocols
- Often work at elevated heights
- Often work outdoors
- Stay away for extended periods from home
- Underwater welding can be challenging
- Use proper respiratory protection
- Wear personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Work in confined spaces
- Work in high/low temperatures
- Work in noisy environments
- Work on project diversity
Physical Demands
Some common physical demands include-
- Exposure to high noise levels requires hearing protection
- Handling welding equipment requires physical dexterity
- Lifting requires body strength
- Maneuver ability in tight/cramped areas
- May need to wear respiratory protection equipment
- Need good physical stamina
- Need to adapt to changing weather conditions
- Need to wear specialized diving equipment
- Performing welding tasks involves repetitive movements
- Wear personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Welding works requires visual demands
- Working at heights demands balance
Resume Format
A suggested resume format includes-
Contact Information
- Full Name
- Phone Number
- Email Address
- Location (city and state)
- May add a LinkedIn profile or other relevant professional profiles
Summary/Objective Statement
- Highlight your career goals briefly
- Tailor this section to match the specific job you are applying for
Skills
- List your key relevant skills and qualifications
- Include both technical skills and soft skills
Certifications
- Highlight your relevant certifications
- Specific marine welding certifications
Professional Experience
- List your work experience (most recent job first)
- For each position, provide the following details-
Job Title
Company/Organization Name
Location (city and state)
Employment Dates (Month and Year)
Brief Job Description
Education
- Include your educational background.
- This may include-
Degree Earned
Name of School/Institution
Location (city and state)
Graduation Date (Month and Year)
Additional Sections (Optional)
- Awards and honors
- List training and workshops
- Professional Affiliations
- Welding projects
References
- Generally, not necessary (available upon request)
Resume Formatting Tips-
- Keep your resume (1-2 pages)
- Proofread your resume (spelling/grammatical errors)
- Save your resume in a standard file format (pdf)
- Use a professional font in size (11-12 points)
- Use bullet points
- Use concise language
Top Industries
Some common employment areas include-
- Commercial Diving Companies
- Government Agencies (maritime safety)
- Marine Engineering Firms
- Marine Equipment Manufacturing Units
- Maritime Construction/Infrastructure Facilities
- Maritime Repair/Salvage Companies
- Naval/Military Shipbuilding Companies
- Offshore Oil/Gas Industry
- Offshore Wind Energy Farms
- Private Contractors/Subcontractors
- Research/Development Settings
- Ship Repair/Maintenance Facilities
- Shipbuilding Yards
Job Types
Some common job types include-
- Marine Equipment Manufacturing Welder
- Marine Fabricator
- Marine Repair Technician
- Marine Welding Inspector
- Marine Welding Instructor
- Maritime Construction Welder
- Naval Welder
- Offshore Welder
- Offshore Wind Energy Welder
- Research/Development Welder
- Shipyard Welder
- Underwater Welder
Salary Information
On average, a Marine Welder earns $29 per hour in the United States. But factors like education, experience, skills, certification, location, company size, employer types, etc. affect salary figures.
However, the approximate salary ranges for marine welders include.
- Hourly Wage – $20 to $40 or more
- Monthly Salary – $3,500 to $7,000 or more
- Yearly Salary – $42,000 to $84,000 or more
These salary figures are just estimates, actual salary can vary greatly from place to place depending on various factors specific to the individual’s employment situation. Additionally, marine welders with labor union membership may have negotiated wage scales and benefits.
Benefits/Perks
Some common benefits include-
- Career Advancement Opportunities
- Competitive Salary
- Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)
- Health/Wellness Programs
- Healthcare Benefits
- Job Stability
- Overtime Pay
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Retirement Plans (401k)
- Safety Equipment Provision
- Tool/Equipment Provision
- Training/Development Programs
- Travel/Per Diem Coverage
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Union Membership Benefits
Summary
Marine Welders play a pivotal role in welding tasks related to the maintenance, construction, and repair of offshore structures, maritime vessels, and equipment. For this, they use various welding processes and techniques to join metal components. Marine welders work in diverse and challenging environments including underwater conditions. Success in this role relies on expertise in different welding methods, safety protocols, and material properties. The certification relevant to the maritime industry ensures a bright job scope. Marine Welders obtain good salaries along with various job benefits and perks. Overall, they ensure the structural integrity and safety of marine assets.
