Plater/Welder, Gravesend

Cory; Gravesend; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Cory is seeking a Plater/Welder for our Gravesend site to maintain and repair vessels used in London’s river-based operations. You’ll join our Ship Repair Services team, supporting both in-house and third-party work, turning technical drawings into practical welding and fabrication outputs.

We value solid hot works experience, including welding, fabrication and burning, and you’ll work with heavy machinery in a safety-conscious environment. Occasional work at Charlton may be required.

Qualifications

• Solid hot works experience, including welding, fabrication and burning.
• Confident working with heavy machinery and engineering equipment.
• Able to turn technical drawings into high-quality, practical solutions.
• Understanding of working at height and confined or enclosed space environments; commitment to safe working practices.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and repair vessels as part of Ship Repair Services.
• Support yard activities and vessel movements to keep the fleet safe and operational.
• Turn drawings into practical welding and fabrication solutions.
• Assist in training apprentices and promote safe working practices.

Skills

Welding

Fabrication

Burning

Heavy machinery

Reading drawings

Safety awareness

Teamwork

Adaptability

Job description

Cory is one of the UK’s leading resource management, recycling, and energy recovery companies. We use the River Thames as a green highway, saving around 100,000 truck movements a year – a vital way of getting traffic off the road and making London safer and less polluted. As a river-based business, we are proud to support the growth of the Thames economy and the wider inland waterways sector.

As a Plater/Welder at Cory, you’ll play a hands‑on role in maintaining and repairing the vessels that keep London’s waste moving by river. Working as part of our Ship Repair Services team, you’ll support both in‑house operations and third‑party customers, helping ensure our fleet of tugs, barges and containers remains safe, compliant and reliable.

This is a varied, practical role where no two days are the same. From fabricating steel barge and vessel sections to carrying out emergency repairs and salvage work, your skills will be used across a wide range of engineering challenges. You’ll also support yard activities, vessel movements in and out of slipways, and the general upkeep of our Gravesend site. While based at Gravesend, you’ll occasionally be asked to work at other sites, typically our Charlton location. Safety and environmental responsibility sit at the heart of everything we do. You’ll work in full compliance with international, national and company legislation, take part in emergency exercises, and help ensure Cory’s high standards are met every day.

You’ll also have the opportunity to support the development of others, including assisting in the training of apprentices. It’s a role where your experience matters – not just in what you build and repair, but in the example you set for the next generation of engineers.

We’re looking for someone with solid hot works experience, including welding, fabrication and burning, who is confident working with heavy machinery and engineering equipment. You’ll be comfortable turning technical drawings into high-quality, practical solutions.

An understanding of working at height and confined or enclosed space environments is essential, as is a strong commitment to safe working practices. You’ll take personal responsibility for maintaining a safe working environment for yourself and those around you.

This role suits someone who enjoys teamwork and flexibility. You’ll work closely with colleagues across Ship Repair Services and be adaptable with working hours when operational demands require it.