Steelworker

SmartRecruiters, Inc.; Belfast City District; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company pension

Cycle to work scheme (optional)

Holiday entitlement 249.75 hours (pro‑

Job summary

Navantia UK is recruiting for skilled steel fabricators to form and assemble structural components for naval, marine, and repair projects. You will switch between New-Build fabrication and Ship Repair work, ensuring precise cutting, fitting, and welding-ready assemblies on-site.

Key duties include safe operations, interpreting drawings, handling heavy steel, and operating shop machinery. Join a team committed to high standards and continuous cold-start improvements on UK facilities.

Qualifications

• Experience in heavy steel plate fabrication; apprenticeship or equivalent.
• Ability to read engineering drawings and technical documents.
• Familiarity with quality procedures and fabrication standards.
• Basic knowledge of welding processes and ability to tack weld.
• Safety-conscious and able to work independently and with others.
• Willingness to pass a trade test.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a Safe working environment.
• Read and interpret fabrication drawings.
• Cut and fabricate structural steel (plate & profile).
• Erect, align, set and tack steel parts in Shops or Dock environment.
• Operate steel fabrication machinery and shop cranes.
• Hand burning using oxyfuel equipment.

Skills

Safety knowledge

Heavy plate fabrication

Engineering drawings

Fabrication standards

Welding basics

Independence

Team collaboration

Trade test clearance

Job description

Navantia UK is a new force in British industry, supporting the UK’s defence, energy and maritime ambitions. We’re doing this by creating state-of-the-art sovereign defence capabilities, investing in the UK to modernise industrial facilities, and bolstering the nation's energy security. Established in 2022, Navantia UK is a subsidiary of Navantia SA, a Spanish state-owned company with over 300 years of naval shipbuilding history. In January 2025, Navantia UK completed the acquisition of Harland & Wolff and its four historic facilities in Belfast, Appledore, Methil, and Arnish. By combining Harland & Wolff’s proud heritage and facilities with Navantia’s global expertise, Navantia UK is well-positioned to strengthen Britain’s defence, maritime and energy industrial capabilities, supporting jobs and economic growth across the UK.

Job Description

Manual or machine steel fabrication to form individual components and the subsequent assembly of those components to form assemblies, units and blocks, and ship structures. Projects will cover a range of steel structures across the naval, marine, and repair sectors and the role will require flexibility between New-Build structural steel fabrication and Ship Repair projects.

Main Duties

• Maintenance of a Safe working environment
• Read and interpret fabrication drawings
• Cutting and fabrication of structural steel, (plate & profile sections)
• Erect, align, set and tack steel parts and assemblies in Shops or Dock environment
• Working of steel fabrication machinery and shop cranes
• Hand burning using oxyfuel equipment

Qualifications

• Knowledge of fabrication workplace Safety requirements and good working practices
• Demonstrable experience of heavy steel plate fabrication process (preferably have served a recognised apprenticeship or equivalent)
• Understanding of Engineering drawings and technical documents
• Understanding of Quality procedures and Fabrication Standards
• Basic knowledge of welding processes and ability to tack weld
• Ability to work on own initiative, seeking advice when necessary
• Flexible cooperation with other team-members
• Ability to pass a trade test

Key Behavioural/Interpersonal Skills

• Understanding and active participation in Safety activities and procedures
• Work execution independently according to valid instructions, rules and standards
• Effectiveness in identifying issues for upward reporting/investigation
• Ability to express ideas or facts in a clear manner
• Professional and proactive work ethic
• Ability to work overtime as required

Additional Information

• Full time/permanent
• 249.75 hours holiday (pro rata)
• Company pension
• Cycle to work scheme (optional)

***Please note as part of the onboarding process all candidates will need to complete BPSS security clearance***

We are an Opening Doors employer, committed to equal opportunity and an inclusive workplace. Our approach, shaped by our values of service, trust, excellence, agility, dedication, and you, we focus on removing barriers and recognising potential. We are committed to fairness at every stage, including providing reasonable adjustments and actively working to eliminate discrimination.

We believe talent is everywhere, and by widening access to opportunity and welcoming diverse experiences, we aim to create a workplace where every person feels valued and has an equal chance.