Welder

Navantia UK; Belfast City District; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company pension

Healthcare plan

Cycle to work scheme

Holiday entitlement

Job summary

Navantia UK is seeking a skilled welder to assemble heavy steel structures across naval, marine and repair projects. You will read drawings, interpret WPSs, and operate welding equipment including automation while maintaining safety and quality at all times.

Role requires certified weld qualifications ISO9606-1 and a proactive approach to teamwork, inspection, and problem solving in a busy shipyard environment.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of welding safety rules and best practices.
• Experience in heavy steel plate welding; apprenticeship or equivalent.
• Ability to read engineering drawings and technical documents.
• Familiarity with quality procedures and fabrication standards.
• Hold Fillet Welding Qualification (ISO9606-1).
• Hold Butt Welding Qualification (ISO9606-1).
• Able to work independently and with others; pass a trade test.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a safe working environment in line with safety procedures.
• Read and interpret weld symbols from fabrication drawings.
• Set up welding equipment and LEV systems, gas hoses and cables.
• Perform flat and positional welding per WPSs and best practices.
• Check welds for defects and grind profiles as needed.
• Use automated welding equipment as qualified.

Skills

Welding expertise

Read weld symbols

Safety compliance

Team collaboration

Trade test readiness

Education

Fillet Welding Qualification (ISO9606-1)

Butt Welding Qualification (ISO9606-1)

Tools

Automated welding equipment

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 welding of fillet and butt welds to complete the assembly of structural or fabricated parts or assemblies, units and blocks, and ship structures, involving heavy plate elements. 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, compliance with specific Safety procedures
• Read and interpret weld symbols on fabrication drawings
• Understand weld procedures (WPSs) and essential variables necessary to maintain
• Set up equipment and welding LEV systems, gas hoses and cables
• Perform flat and positional welding in accordance with WPSs and good working practice
• Checking of welds for defects
• Grinding of weld profiles as necessary
• Use of automated welding equipment dependent on individual’s welding qualifications

Qualifications

Essential Competencies

• Knowledge of welding workplace Safety requirements and good working practices
• Demonstrable experience of heavy steel plate welding processes (preferably have served a recognised apprenticeship or equivalent)
• Understanding of Engineering drawings and technical documents
• Understanding of Quality procedures and Fabrication Standards
• Possession of a current and valid Fillet Welding Qualification Certificate (ISO9606-1)
• Possession of a current and valid GSFCAW Butt Welding Qualification Certificate (ISO9606-1)
• Ability to work on own initiative, seeking advice when necessary
• Flexible cooperation with other team-members
• Ability to pass a trade test

Key Interpersonal/Behavioural 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

• £18.55ph
• Full time/permanent
• 249.75 hours holiday (pro rata)
• Company pension
• Health care cash plan (optional)
• 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.