Vessel Welder

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Vessel Welder
Job Description

This role focuses on welding and fabricating large storage tanks, spheres, and water towers ranging from approximately 23 to 43 feet in size. You will perform high-quality vessel welding using stick and flux core processes, with some MIG, on carbon steel material up to 3 inches thick. The position requires precision work on 100% X-ray quality welds and the ability to back gouge, ensuring structural integrity and safety of all welded vessels and components.

Responsibilities

• Weld and fabricate storage tanks, spheres, vessels, and water towers using stick, flux core, and some MIG welding processes.
• Perform high-quality welds on carbon steel up to 3 inches thick, meeting 100% X-ray quality standards.
• Execute back gouging on welds to ensure proper penetration and quality for radiographic inspection.
• Work extensively with flux core welding, using stick welding approximately 20% of the time.
• Weld vessel components and structural parts in 2G and 3G positions in accordance with welding procedures.
• Operate overhead cranes safely to move and position heavy vessel components and materials.
• Assist with fabrication tasks related to storage tanks, vessels, and towers, including layout and fit-up as needed.
• Read and interpret blueprints and, where applicable, isometric drawings to perform accurate welds and fabrications.
• Perform own layouts and fit-ups when required to prepare components for welding.
• Collaborate with the team to maintain a safe work environment around heavy equipment and large structures.
• Follow all shop safety protocols and quality standards in a large, non-climate-controlled facility.
• Adapt to rotating shifts between day and night schedules while maintaining consistent productivity and workmanship.

• Minimum of 3 years of experience as a vessel welder.
• Proven ability to pass 2G and 3G weld tests, including back gouging requirements.
• Strong proficiency with flux core welding processes.
• Proficiency with stick welding in vessel applications.
• Ability to perform effective back gouging on welds for X-ray quality standards.
• Experience welding carbon steel material up to 3 inches thick.
• Ability to weld vessel components and structural parts in multiple positions.
• Skill in operating an overhead crane safely in a heavy industrial environment.
• Experience working in large fabrication shops around heavy equipment.
• Commitment to following strict safety procedures and quality standards.

• Recent experience passing 2G and 3G weld tests using both stick and flux core processes.
• Experience fabricating storage tanks, vessels, and towers.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints and fabrication drawings.
• Experience working with isometric drawings for pipe and vessel layouts.
• Ability to perform own layouts and fit-ups for welding projects.
• Any fitting experience, including pipe fitting, is considered a plus.
• Willingness to learn pipe fitting and expand fabrication skills.

This opportunity offers long-term, stable work in a shop where safety is a top priority. You will work with large, complex projects that allow you to refine and showcase your welding skills. The rotating shift structure includes a shift differential for night work, supporting strong earning potential while providing predictable scheduling. You will be part of a professional environment that values craftsmanship, safe operations, and ongoing development of technical expertise.

Work Environment

The role is based in a large, non-climate-controlled fabrication shop that houses substantial heavy equipment and large vessel structures. Safety is a critical focus, with strict protocols in place to protect employees working around heavy machinery and sizable steel components. The schedule follows a rotating shift pattern: you will typically start on day shift for approximately six months, then move to night shift for 2 to 4 months, and rotate back to days for another six-month period. Day shift runs from 6:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, with Saturdays as needed. Second shift runs from 4:15 p.m. to 2:45 a.m., Monday through Friday, and includes a shift differential when working nights. The environment is industrial and physically demanding, requiring comfort working in varying temperatures and around large-scale fabrication operations.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Houston, TX 77064.

The pay range for this position is $27.50 - $30.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Houston,TX 77064.

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 15, 2026.

Aerotek® Inc. provides staffing and services solutions in manufacturing, logistics, construction, aviation, facilities and maintenance. We provide the expertise, solutions and people required to rise to the challenges of North American industry. Headquartered in Hanover, Md., Aerotek operates a unified network of over 200 offices across North America, supporting more than 18,000 clients each year. Aerotek is an Allegis Group company, the global leader in workforce and business solutions. To learn more, visit: Aerotek.com | 1-888-AEROTEK.

Aerotek offers weekly pay, employee benefits including medical, dental & vision, life insurance, health advocacy and employee assistance programs, a 401(k) plan, and employee discounts.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.

We know that finding work is hard, and finding meaningful work is harder. Aerotek connects 180,000+ light industrial and skilled trades workers with 14,000+ employers each year, helping our workers navigate an evolving labor market and find jobs that meet their goals, skills, and interests. Since 1983, we have provided a variety of career opportunities across North American industry – from short-term assignments at Fortune 500 companies where you can build your skills, to long-term opportunities where you can play a vital role in solving companies’ construction, manufacturing, and maintenance challenges. Our 1,500+ experienced recruiters across 250+ offices work relentlessly to put our workforce in a position to thrive. Let us rise to meet your challenges and put our people-are-everything spirit to the test as your career continues to grow.

Company Description

We know that finding work is hard, and finding meaningful work is harder. Aerotek connects 180,000+ light industrial and skilled trades workers with 14,000+ employers each year, helping our workers navigate an evolving labor market and find jobs that meet their goals, skills, and interests. Since 1983, we have provided a variety of career opportunities across North American industry – from short-term assignments at Fortune 500 companies where you can build your skills, to long-term opportunities where you can play a vital role in solving companies’ construction, manufacturing, and maintenance challenges. Our 1,500+ experienced recruiters across 250+ offices work relentlessly to put our workforce in a position to thrive. Let us rise to meet your challenges and put our people-are-everything spirit to the test as your career continues to grow.