Vessel Welder

Job Title: Vessel Welder ($28-$31/hr)
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 primarily use flux core and stick welding processes, with some MIG, to weld carbon steel vessels and components up to 3 inches thick. The work requires high-quality welds that meet 100% X-ray inspection standards and involves back gouging, vessel fabrication, and safe operation of overhead cranes in a heavy industrial shop environment.
Requirements

• Weld and fabricate storage tanks, spheres, water towers, and related vessel components using flux core, stick, and some MIG processes.
• Perform welding on carbon steel materials up to 3 inches thick while maintaining high quality and structural integrity.
• Execute 100% X-ray quality welds, including proper back gouging to ensure full penetration and defect-free welds.
• Use stick welding approximately 20% of the time and flux core welding for the majority of welds, adjusting techniques to meet project requirements.
• Interpret and follow blueprints, drawings, and, when applicable, isometric drawings to complete layouts, fit ups, and welds accurately.
• Perform layout and fit up of vessel components, including the ability to do own layouts and fit ups when required.
• Operate overhead cranes safely to move and position heavy materials, components, and assemblies within the shop.
• Assist with or perform fitting tasks, including fitting pipe or learning pipe fitting techniques as needed.
• Utilize gouging techniques, including back gouging, to prepare and clean joints for high-quality welds.
• Follow all safety procedures and best practices in a large shop with heavy equipment, maintaining a clean and organized work area.
• Collaborate with team members and supervisors to meet production schedules, quality standards, and project deadlines.
• Participate in and pass required weld tests, including 2G and 3G tests with stick and flux core, to verify and maintain welding qualifications.

Essential Skills

• At least 3 years of experience as a vessel welder.
• Proven ability to pass 2G and 3G weld tests and perform effective back gouging.
• Proficiency in flux core welding on carbon steel.
• Proficiency in stick welding on carbon steel.
• Demonstrated ability to perform back gouging for 100% X-ray quality welds.
• Experience welding on vessel components such as storage tanks, vessels, and towers.
• Ability to operate an overhead crane safely in a shop environment.
• Experience with gouging techniques for weld preparation and repair.
• Capability to work with carbon steel up to 3 inches thick.
• Understanding of and adherence to strict safety practices in a heavy industrial setting.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Recent experience passing 2G and 3G weld tests with stick and flux core processes.
• Experience fabricating storage tanks, vessels, and towers from start to finish.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints and engineering drawings.
• Experience working with isometric drawings to guide fabrication and welding tasks.
• Ability to perform own layouts and fit ups for vessel components.
• Any fitting experience, including pipe fitting, is a plus.
• Willingness to learn how to fit pipe if not already experienced.
• Comfort working with MIG welding processes as needed.

Why Work Here?
You will join a long-term opportunity in a well-organized, safety-focused shop environment where safe work practices are a top priority. The role offers a stable workload on large, complex projects that allow you to develop and demonstrate advanced welding skills. You will work with substantial industrial equipment and challenging welds, providing ongoing opportunities to grow your technical capabilities. A shift differential is available when working night shift, and the rotating schedule offers variety in your work routine.
Work Environment
Work takes place in a large, non-climate-controlled industrial shop that houses substantial heavy equipment, making safety a very high priority at all times. The environment is fast-paced and production-focused, with a strong emphasis on safe material handling and crane operation. The position follows a rotating shift schedule: you will typically start on day shift, working approximately 6 months on days (6:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, with Saturdays as needed), then rotate to night shift for approximately 2 to 4 months (4:15 p.m. to 2:45 a.m., Monday through Friday) with a shift differential, before rotating back to days. You will work around welding equipment, overhead cranes, and other heavy machinery, and you should expect typical industrial shop conditions including noise, heat, and the need for appropriate protective clothing and personal protective equipment.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Houston, TX 77064.
Pay and Benefits
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)
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Houston,TX 77064.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Jun 5, 2026.

About Aerotek

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 meets 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 solving for 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.


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.