FCAW / Flux Core Welder – Belfast

MDE Consultants Ltd; Belfast City District; On-site; GBP 101,000 - 134,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Travel allowance

Accommodation provided

Subsistence included

Job summary

MDE Consultants Ltd is recruiting experienced FCAW / Flux Core Welders for Navantia UK in Belfast on an initial 3-4 month project. You will perform FCAW structural welding, including multi-run welds, reading drawings and welding symbols, and working to WPS in a shipyard environment.

The role offers a clear pathway to the longer Belfast shipbuilding programme, with attractive weekly earnings and travel/ subsistence arrangements.

Qualifications

• Genuine FCAW / Flux Core welding experience.
• Recent structural steel welding experience.
• Experience completing multi-run structural welds.
• Able to read engineering drawings and welding symbols.
• Prepared to undertake a practical weld test.

Responsibilities

• FCAW/Flux Core welding on structural steel as required.
• Weld in vertical and overhead positions.
• Welding of structural frames, units and fabricated assemblies.
• Work from engineering drawings, welding symbols and WPS.
• Collaborate with Platers, Fabricators and other shipbuilding trades.

Skills

FCAW welding

Flux Core welding

Structural welding

Welding symbols

Reading drawings

Shipbuilding experience

Tools

WPS

Job description

FCAW / Flux Core Welder - Belfast

Location: Belfast

Start: Around 21 September 2026

Initial Project: Approximately 3-4 months

Gross Rate: £28.02 per hour PAYE (incl. of holiday)

Gross Overtime Rate: £42.03 per hour PAYE (incl. of holiday)

Travel / Accommodation / Subsistence: £406.40 per week

Potential weekly value: £1,947.50 - £2,577.95 depending on hours worked

We are recruiting experienced FCAW / Flux Core Welders for a major shipbuilding requirement with Navantia UK in Belfast.

This forms part of a potentially significant welding requirement within the Belfast shipyard.

The initial project is expected to run for approximately 3-4 months, potentially taking workers through towards January, although the final programme and durations are still being confirmed.

Beyond this initial requirement, Navantia is moving into a major shipbuilding programme in Belfast which is expected to run for approximately 6-8 years.

For welders who perform well during the initial project, there is therefore the potential to move directly onto the longer-term programme as the workforce continues to increase.

This makes the role particularly attractive for experienced FCAW welders looking for an immediate project with the potential to develop into sustained long-term work.

The Work

The requirement is specifically for welders with genuine FCAW / Flux Cored Arc Welding experience.

Typical duties are expected to include:

• FCAW structural welding
• Multi-run welds on structural steel
• Working in vertical and overhead positions
• Welding structural frames, units and fabricated assemblies
• Working from engineering drawings, welding symbols and WPS
• Preparation and cleaning of weld areas
• Completing welds to the required quality standards
• Working alongside Platers, Fabricators and other shipbuilding trades

Experience using MMA, MAG or MIG alongside FCAW would be beneficial, but candidates must have demonstrable Flux Core welding experience.

Previous shipbuilding, ship repair, marine or heavy fabrication experience would be particularly relevant.

Example Weekly Earnings

50-hour week

• 40 hours × £28.02 = £1,120.80
• 10 hours × £42.03 = £420.30
• Travel / accommodation / subsistence = £406.40
• Total weekly value: £1,947.50

65-hour week

• 40 hours × £28.02 = £1,120.80
• 25 hours × £42.03 = £1,050.75
• Travel / accommodation / subsistence = £406.40
• Total weekly value: £2,577.95

Requirements

• Strong, demonstrable FCAW / Flux Core welding experience
• Recent structural steel welding experience
• Experience completing multi-run structural welds
• Comfortable welding in multiple positions
• Ability to read engineering drawings and welding symbols
• Ability to work to WPS and required welding procedures
• Shipbuilding, marine or heavy fabrication experience strongly preferred
• Prepared to undertake a practical weld test
• Able to complete the required onboarding and security clearance process