Plater / Fabricator Belfast

MDE Consultants Ltd; Newtownabbey; On-site; GBP 101,000 - 134,000; Full time

Job summary

MDE Group in Belfast is recruiting experienced Platers, Fabricators and Steelworkers for a major shipbuilding requirement with Navantia UK. The initial contract is 3-4 months, starting Sep/Oct 2026, with a gross rate of £28.02 per hour PAYE (incl. holiday) and an overtime rate of £42.03 per hour (incl.

holiday). Weekly value up to £1,947.50 plus travel/ accommodation allowance. The role involves heavy structural fabrication and assembly in a shipyard, reading drawings, marking, cutting and

Qualifications

• Strong Plater / Fabricator / Steelworker experience.
• Structural steel fabrication experience.
• Ability to read and work from engineering drawings.
• Heavy engineering, marine or shipbuilding experience preferred.
• Candidates must be able to complete the required onboarding and security clearance process.

Responsibilities

• Fabrication and assembly of structural steel.
• Reading and working from engineering drawings.
• Marking out, cutting and forming steel.
• Fabrication of brackets, supports, walkways, gratings and structural components.
• Structural modifications and installation work.
• Tack welding, grinding and preparation work where required.
• Working as part of a wider shipbuilding and fabrication team.

Job description

Plater / Fabricator – Belfast

Location: Belfast
Start: September/October 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 Platers / Steelworkers / Fabricators for a major shipbuilding requirement with Navantia UK in Belfast.

The initial requirement is expected to run for approximately 3-4 months, potentially taking the project through towards January, although exact durations are still being finalised.

Importantly, this initial scope sits ahead of a much larger shipbuilding programme. Navantia are moving into a significant programme of work in Belfast which is expected to run for approximately 6-8 years.

For people who perform well on the initial project, there is therefore the potential to move directly onto the longer-term shipbuilding programme as requirements continue to increase.

This could be a particularly strong opportunity for Platers and Fabricators looking for both immediate work and the possibility of much longer-term continuity in Belfast.

The Work

The role will involve heavy structural fabrication and assembly within a shipbuilding environment, including:

• Fabrication and assembly of structural steel
• Reading and working from engineering drawings
• Marking out, cutting and forming steel
• Fabrication of brackets, supports, walkways, gratings and structural components
• Structural modifications and installation work
• Tack welding, grinding and preparation work where required
• Working as part of a wider shipbuilding and fabrication team

Previous shipbuilding or shipyard experience would be beneficial, although candidates from strong heavy engineering and structural fabrication backgrounds will also be considered.

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= £1050.75
• Travel / accommodation / subsistence = £406.40
• Total weekly value: £2,577.95

Requirements

• Strong Plater / Fabricator / Steelworker experience
• Structural steel fabrication experience
• Ability to read and work from engineering drawings
• Heavy engineering, marine or shipbuilding experience preferred
• Candidates must be able to complete the required onboarding and security clearance process

MDE-Group, Proud Recruitment Partners of Harland & Wolf / Navantia

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