Combo Pipe/Plate Fitter/Welder

Gulf Copper; Corpus Christi (TX); On-site; USD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Gulf Copper seeks a skilled Combo Pipe/Plate Fitter Welder for our Corpus Christi yard to fabricate, fit, and weld complex piping systems and plate components for marine vessels and offshore structures.

The role requires dual-craft expertise, precision cutting and fitting, and adherence to high-quality code welding standards on ship hulls and industrial components.

Qualifications

• Must pass ABS or ASME weld test.
• NCCER card preferred.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, sketches, drawings, and technical manuals.

Responsibilities

• Layout, fabricate or repair metal plate, structural parts and pipe and brace them in position within hull of ship for riveting or welding according to specifications.
• Locates and marks reference lines, such as center, buttock, and frame lines.
• Select pipe and/or plate sizes and types and related materials, such as supports, hangers, and hydraulic cylinders, according to specifications.
• Measure, mark, and install pipe and/or plate for cutting and/or threading per specifications, using tools such as saws, cutting torches, and pipe thread and benders.
• May prepare molds and templates for fabrication of nonstandard parts.
• Remove high spots and cut bevels, using hand files, portable grinders and cutting torches.
• Fit and weld pipe and/or plate in the repair and/or construction of marine vessels and industrial components using gas welding, brazing, arc welding, wire fed welding, or tig welding process and procedures.
• May roll, bend, flange, cut, and shape plates, beams, and other heavy metal parts, using shop machinery, such as plate rolls, presses, bending brakes, and joggle machines.
• Select and set up welding equipment, execute the planned welds, and examine the welds to ensure that they meet standards or specifications.
• Welds components in flat, vertical, or overhead positions.

Skills

Blueprints reading

Welding

Pipe fitting

Plate fitting

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Technical school certificate

Job description

Combo Pipe/Plate Fitter/Welder

Gulf Copper is seeking a skilled Combo Pipe/Plate Fitter Welder to join our team at the Corpus Christi yard. In this role, you will be responsible for fabricating, fitting, and welding complex piping systems and structural plate components for marine vessels and offshore structures. The ideal candidate brings strong dual-craft expertise, precision cutting and fitting skills, and a commitment to high-quality code welding.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Layout, fabricate or repair metal plate, structural parts and/or pipe and brace them in position within hull of ship for riveting or welding according to specifications.
2. Locates and marks reference lines, such as center, buttock, and frame lines.
3. Select pipe and/or plate sizes and types and related materials, such as supports, hangers, and hydraulic cylinders, according to specifications.
4. Measure, mark, and install pipe and/or plate for cutting and/or threading per specifications, using tools such as saws, cutting torches, and pipe thread and benders.
5. May prepare molds and templates for fabrication of nonstandard parts.
6. Remove high spots and cut bevels, using hand files, portable grinders and cutting torches.
7. Fit and weld pipe and/or plate in the repair and/or construction of marine vessels and industrial components using gas welding, brazing, arc welding, wire fed welding, or tig welding process and procedures.
8. May roll, bend, flange, cut, and shape plates, beams, and other heavy metal parts, using shop machinery, such as plate rolls, presses, bending brakes, and joggle machines.
9. Select and set up welding equipment, execute the planned welds, and examine the welds to ensure that they meet standards or specifications.
10. Welds components in flat, vertical, or overhead positions.

Required Education & Experience:

1. High School Diploma and/or one year certificate from college or technical school preferred.
2. Industrial and/or marine fitting/welding experience:

• 1st Class 3-5 years
• 2nd Class 1 – 3 years

1. Must pass an ABS, or ASME weld test.
2. Pass the Gulf Copper written pipe fitter and/or hands-on pipe and plate fitter test when applicable.
3. NCCER card preferred.

Working Conditions:

1. Open‑air conditions such as noisy, hot, cold, etc.
2. Must wear hearing, eye, head protection and proper PPE.
3. Some climbing (100 feet) and lifting (50 lbs.) involved.
4. Traverse gangways and scaffolding at varying heights while wearing fall prevention equipment.
5. Working with hot and sometimes hazardous materials.
6. Aboard ships, both on and offshore as well as confined spaces.
7. Must be able to stand and operate equipment up to four continuous hours.
8. The work requires long periods of sitting in awkward positions, standing on a variety of surfaces and at differing angles, bending over, crouching, and climbing up and over obstructions such as scaffolding, ladders, and internal barge and boat structural members.

Necessary Equipment Operation:

1. Squares, levels, and hand & power tools.
2. Blow torches- Motorized cutting torches; Pattern cutting torches; Welding torches.
3. Gas welding, brazing, or cutting apparatus- Brazing equipment; Heliarc welding equipment; Oxyacetylene equipment; Portable gas operated arc welders.
4. Manlift or personnel lift- hydraulic truck lifts; Swing stages
5. Weld masks- Hand shields; Welding shields.

Special Skills:

1. Ability to work under deadlines and schedule pressures.
2. Ability to read and interpret blueprints, sketches, drawings, and technical manuals.
3. Perform basic mathematical functions.
4. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
5. High performance and a strong team player.
6. Commitment to company values and safety program.
7. Trained to work with a wide variety of materials, such as titanium, aluminum, or exotic metals, in addition to steel.

Fitter/Welder Position Basic Requirements:

Combo Fitter Welder-Pipe & Plate/Structural (COFW) – Fitter welder capable of fitting & welding Pipe, Plate and Structural with knowledge of reading and interpreting drawings.

* An Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. Know Your Rights. If you’d like to view a copy of the company’s affirmative action plan or policy statement, please email: [e-mail]. If you have a disability and you believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or to submit an online application, please e-mail: [e-mail].