Shipyard Welder is a highly skilled professional who welds and fabricates metal components in shipyards and marine environments. They work with various welding techniques and ensure the structural integrity and safety of vessels. The expertise of shipyard welders is crucial in constructing, maintaining, and repairing ships and other maritime vessels. They must adhere to safety standards and quality control measures. The role consists of preparing materials, reading blueprints, and collaborating with other shipyard professionals to complete ship projects. The profession requires certain qualifications such as education, skills, experience, etc. In this article, read all about the shipyard welder job description in detail.
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 job levels include-
- Entry-Level Welder
- Journeyman Welder
- Certified Welder
- Lead Welder or Supervisor
- Welding Inspector
- Specialized Welding Position (any)
Education Level
Some common education levels include-
- High School Diploma or Equivalent
- Vocational or Technical Training
- Apprenticeship Program
- Relevant AWS Welding Certification
- NAVSEA (Naval Sea Systems Command) Certification
Course Types
Some common course types include-
- Welding Technology Program
- Blueprint Reading/Welding Inspection Course
- Industry Certification Course
- Safety/Occupational Health Course
- Shipyard Welding Certificate Program
- Shipyard-specific Training Program
- Welding Apprenticeship Program
- Welding Safety Course
Certification/License
Some common certification types include-
- AWS Certifications-
AWS D1.1 Structural Welding Certification
AWS D1.2 Structural Welding Certification for Aluminum
AWS D3.6 Structural Welding Certification for Sheet Steel
AWS D3.7 Structural Welding Certification for Nickel Alloys
- American Bureau of Shipping Certification by ABS
- ASME Certification by ASME
- International Welding Certification by IIW
- Lloyd’s Register Certification by Lloyd’s Register
- Military Welding Qualification
- NAVSEA Certification by NAVSEA
- Underwater Welding Certification by DCBC or ADCI
Work Experience
Some key experience types include-
- Aluminum Welding Experience
- Cross-Training/Multidisciplinary Experience
- Entry-Level Welding Experience
- General Welding Experience
- Marine Welding Experience
- Military Welding Experience
- Pipe Welding Experience
- Pressure Vessel Welding Experience
- Project Management Experience
- Safety/Compliance Experience
- Sheet Metal Welding Experience
- Specialized Welding Technique Experience
- Structural Welding Experience
- Supervisory/Leadership Experience
- Underwater Welding Experience
- Various Materials Welding Experience
- Welding Inspection Experience
Duties/Responsibilities
Some common duties include-
- Adhere to strict safety protocols
- Conduct various welding processes
- Ensure welding work quality meets industry standards
- Follow international standards
- Follow specific welding procedures/standards
- Follow/promote safety procedures
- Identify/address any defects/imperfections
- Inspect welds and completed work
- Interpret/work from technical drawings/blueprints
- Maintain welding-related records
- Make minor repairs/adjustments
- Participate in the repair/maintenance of ships
- Perform routine inspections on welding equipment
- Perform underwater welding for ship repairs
- Prepare joints for welding work
- Prepare the materials to be welded
- Remove damaged welds to make repairs
- Weld aluminum components
- Weld pipes for various ship systems
- Weld pressure vessels (boilers, tanks)
- Weld thin-gauge sheet metal for fabricating components
- Work on ship structures, and other components
- Work with other shipyard professionals
Equipment Types
Some essential equipment includes-
- Welding Machines–
MIG Welder
TIG Welder
Stick Welder
Flux-Cored Welder
- Chipping Hammers/Wire Brushes
- Clamps/Magnets
- Cutting Equipment
- Fume Extraction/Ventilation Systems
- Grinders/Grinding Wheels
- Pneumatic/Hydraulic Tools
- Safety Equipment (PPE)
- Underwater Welding Equipment
- Welding Boots
- Welding Electrodes/Filler Materials
- Welding Gas Cylinders
- Welding Gloves
- Welding Helmets/Face Shields
- Welding Inspection Tools
- Welding Jackets
- Welding Positioners/Manipulators
- Welding Power Sources
- Welding Tables/Workbenches
- Welding Wire/Electrode Holders
Abilities/Skills
Some common skills include-
- Ability to collaborate with other shipyard workers
- Ability to inspect welds for defects
- Ability to produce high-quality welds
- Ability to weld thin-gauge sheet metal
- Attention to detail
- Awareness of international standards
- Blueprint reading skills (welding symbols)
- Communication skills
- Expertise in different welding positions
- Familiarity with shipyard safety protocols
- Knowledge of different materials/alloys
- Knowledge of welding pipes for ship systems
- Knowledge of welding pressure vessels
- Math/measurement skills
- Problem-solving skills
- Proficiency in various welding processes
- Proficiency in welding aluminum
- Records maintaining skills
- Specialized training and certification to perform
- Strong commitment to safety procedures (PPE)
- Underwater welding skills
- Welding equipment maintaining competency
- Welding materials preparing skills
Work Environment
Some common working conditions include-
- Adhere to strict safety protocols
- Collaborate with a diverse team of professionals
- Expose to various weather conditions
- May also experience vibrations
- May come into contact with chemicals
- May expose to hazardous materials
- May involve travel to different countries
- May need to adapt to changing work environments
- May need to work in confined spaces
- May require protective clothing
- May work both indoors and outdoors
- Must contend with high temperatures
- Often have tight schedules
- Underwater welding work is challenging
- Use personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Work in a high-stress environment
Physical Demands
Some common physical demands include-
- Handle heavy welding equipment
- High temperatures can be physically taxing
- May lift heavy materials
- May need to maneuver metal materials
- May need to work in awkward positions
- May use pneumatic or hydraulic tools
- Perform repetitive motions
- Stand for prolonged periods
- Underwater welding is even more challenging
- Wear protective gear (PPE)
- Welding overhead can be physically strenuous
- Working at heights requires physical effort
- Working in confined spaces requires physical agility
Resume Format
A suggested resume format includes-
Contact Information
- Your full name
- Phone number
- Email address
- Location (city and state)
Objective (Optional)
- Summarize your career goals briefly
Summary of Qualifications
- Highlight your key relevant qualifications and skills
- Present a quick overview of your capabilities
Professional Experience
- List your work experience (most recent job first)
- For each position, the details should include-
Job title
Company name
Location (city and state)
Employment dates (start and end)
List of responsibilities/achievements
Focus on your welding skills and experience
Mention any leadership roles
Education
- List your educational background
- This should include-
Name of the institution
Degree or certificate earned
Graduation date
Welding Certifications
- Highlight any industry-specific certifications
- Any other relevant certifications
- Include the certification name, issuing organization, and certification date
Skills
- List your specific welding processes
- Any other relevant skills
- Mention any tools/equipment you are skilled at using
Additional Sections (Optional)
- Professional affiliations/memberships
- Welding-related training courses/workshops
- Awards or recognitions
References
- Generally, not required (available upon request)
Resume Formatting Tips-
- Use a professional font (11-12 points)
- Maintain consistent formatting in resume
- Keep the resume concise (1-2 pages)
- Use bullet points to enhance readability
- Tailor your resume to the specific job posting
- Proofread your resume (no grammatical errors)
Top Industries
Some common employment areas include-
- Commercial Shipyards
- Consulting/Inspection Services
- Diving/Underwater Welding Companies
- Government/Defense Contracts
- International/Global Projects
- Maritime Manufacturing Facilities
- Naval Shipyards
- Offshore Drilling Platforms
- Port/Harbor Authorities
- Private Boating Industry
- Repair Yards
- Ship Component Suppliers/Manufactures
- Ship Repair/Maintenance Companies
- Shipbuilding/Marine Engineering Firms
- Training/Education Institutions
Job Types
Some common job types include-
- Aluminum Welder
- Consultant/Inspector
- Educator/Trainer
- International Project Welder
- Lead Welder
- Maintenance Welder
- Marine Welder
- Pipe Welder
- Pipefitter Welder
- Pressure Vessel Welder
- Production Welder
- QC/QA Specialist
- Robotic Welder Operator
- Sheet Metal Welder
- Structural Welder
- Underwater Welder
- Welding Inspector
Salary Information
The average hourly wage of a Shipyard Welder in the United States is $24. But factors like education, certification, experience, location, skills, and employer types affect salary trends.
However, the approximate salary ranges for shipyard welders include.
Hourly Wage
- Entry-Level Shipyard Welder – $15 to $25
- Experienced Shipyard Welder – $25 to $40 or more
- Underwater Welder – $25 to $50 or more
Monthly Salary
- Entry-Level Shipyard Welder – $2,600 to $4,300
- Experienced Shipyard Welder – $4,300 to $7,000 or more
- Underwater Welder – $4,300 to $8,600 or more
Yearly Salary
- Entry-Level Shipyard Welder – $31,200 to $51,600
- Experienced Shipyard Welder – $51,600 to $84,000 or more
- Underwater Welder – $51,600 to $103,200 or more
These salary ranges are just estimates, and actual ranges can vary from place to place depending on various local trends and market situations. Additionally, shipyard welders with specialized certifications and experience may seek higher salaries.
Benefits/Perks
Some common offerings include-
- Bonuses/Incentives
- Career Advancement Opportunities
- Education/Training Reimbursement
- Employee Assistance Programs
- Flexible Schedules
- Health/Wellness Programs
- Healthcare Benefits
- Life Insurance
- On-site Facilities
- Overtime Pay
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Retirement Plans (401k)
- Safety Gear/Equipment
- Shift Differentials
- Tool/Equipment Reimbursement
- Travel Allowance
- Tuition Assistance
- Uniform Allowance
- Uniforms/Work Clothing Provision
- Union Membership
Summary
Shipyard welders are important figures in the shipbuilding, repair, and maintenance industry. They perform welding and related tasks to ensure the structural integrity and safety of ships. The profession requires a range of skills such as safety awareness, welding proficiency, and working adaptability. Shipyard welders can work in various roles in the maritime industry. The experience and certification certainly affect salary trends. Besides this, they receive various job benefits and perks as compensation packages. Overall, Shipyard welders play a vital role in the maritime industry, contributing to the safe and efficient operation of ships at sea.
