Marine Structural Welding Specialist

Nichols Brothers Shipbuilding; Freeland (WA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company-funded commuter benefit for WA

401(k) with company match

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Paid time off

OSHA-10 Certification offered

Job summary

Nichols Bros. Boat Builders on Whidbey Island is seeking a Marine Structural Welding Specialist.

You’ll weld hulls, superstructures, masts, pilothouses, and engine rooms, using MIG and arc processes to produce watertight joints while maintaining safety and schedule discipline. You’ll interpret drawings, collaborate with a tight-knit crew, mentor apprentices, and perform finishing work to ready vessels for inspection.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of professional welding experience.
• Ability to read specifications and blueprints.
• Comfort working around heavy machinery and in confined spaces.

Responsibilities

• Weld panels, assemblies, modules and participate in final vessel build.
• Execute various welds including fillet, butt and socket joints in multiple positions.
• Prepare seams, grind and post-weld finish for inspection.
• Set up welders for root passes and MIG patterns, ensure watertight welds.
• Clean, maintain, and troubleshoot welding equipment and tools.
• Mentor apprentices and peers, communicate clearly in a fast-paced yard.

Skills

Welding

Blueprint reading

OSHA compliant

Team leadership

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Vocational welding training

Tools

GMAW/FCAW equipment

6G ABS certification

Job description

Marine Structural Welding SpecialistIt’s 6:55 a.m. on beautiful Whidbey Island. You step onto our Freeland, WA yard, where Nichols Bros. Boat Builders (NBBB) has crafted vessels since 1964—tugs, ferries, fire boats, fishing vessels, barges, dinner boats, and more. In a few hours, your welds will help another section of a state-of-the-art vessel come to life.Your day at a glanceFrom hull plating to superstructure fit-up, you’ll perform high‑quality wire-feed and stick welds to join the structural elements that define our boats—hulls, superstructures, masts, pilothouses, and engine rooms. You’ll move between fabrication, assembly, subassembly, and final erection, ensuring each connection is true, tight, and built to last.Core responsibilitiesWeld panels, assemblies, modules, and participate in final vessel build, maintaining strong housekeeping and safety habits while meeting schedule commitments.Execute seams and skip welds in flat, horizontal, vertical, and overhead positions for fillet, butt, socket, and mitered joints.Grind and prep seams for tack welding, perform post‑weld grinding, and prepare for final inspection.Set up arc welders for root passes, hanger welds, and repairs.Configure and operate MIG equipment for watertight and skip‑weld patterns; lay out skip‑weld sequences.Use Air Arc to back‑gouge and remove defective welds.Sub‑arc large hull and deck plates.Clean, lubricate, maintain, and adjust equipment with air hoses, cleaning fluids, and hand tools to keep everything running efficiently.Prepare metal with grinders, cutters, and drills.Set up ventilation and lighting for confined spaces according to best shipyard practices.Weld a range of alloys: aluminum, mild steel, stainless steel, and copper‑nickel.Produce hundreds of inches of sound weld per shift, aiming for a quality joint every time.Collaborate effectively—communicate, adapt, interpret drawings, and solve problems as part of a tight‑knit crew.Champion ESR safety culture and disciplined housekeeping procedures.Build constructive, cooperative relationships; mentor apprentices and peers by sharing trade knowledge.Document and communicate clearly—both verbally and in writing.Tackle additional tasks as they arise in our dynamic yard.QualificationsWhat you bring3+ years of professional welding experience.Read and interpret specifications; work confidently from drawings and blueprints.Solid command of basic mathematics (listed twice in original—emphasis intended) and ability to apply it on the job.Clear oral and written communication skills.Experience working around heavy machinery.Comfort entering confined spaces with a respirator; capable of working at odd angles in tight areas.Knowledge of shipyard safety practices and vessel terminology.High school diploma or equivalent; vocational training welcomed.2‑G, 3‑G, 4‑G ABS Steel required; Aluminum a plus; USCG certifications welcome—or ability to obtain required certifications within 90 days.Knowledge of basic hand and power tools.Formal internal or external training in physics, chemistry, welding equipment care/operation, blueprint reading, metallurgy, SMAW/TIG, and advanced FCAW/GMAW.Certified or certifiable in USCG or ABS welding.Willing to work overtime when needed.Ability to lift/carry 50 lbs., work at heights up to 60 ft., and enter confined spaces with a respirator.Good verbal communication.What sets you apartHands‑on experience welding multiple alloys (e.g., steel and aluminum).6‑G ABS or USCG certifications in Stainless Steel (ARC, MIG, TIG), Aluminum (TIG), and Copper‑Nickel (TIG).Marine structural welding background.Forklift and manlift certification/experience.Leadership interest and aptitude.Shipyard experience (new build or repair).Shipyard Competent Person certification.OSHA‑10 certification.Ultrasound training/certification (Level 1+).CWI or CWS certification.BenefitsCompany‑funded commuter benefit for Washington State Ferry riders401(k) with company matchMedical, dental, and vision insuranceHealth Savings AccountGroup life insurance + optional supplemental life and disabilityPaid time offEmployee Assistance ProgramCulture of learning with state‑certified apprenticeship programsTools, tech, and proficienciesYou should be proficient inGD&TTroubleshootingJourneyman’s LicenseOSHA 10‑Hour Certification (OSHA 10)Welding setups for productionVehicle & fleet weldingBlueprint readingMachines & technologies you’ll useMIG Welder (ESAB, Fronius, Kemppi, Hobart, Everlast)TIG Welder (ESAB, Fronius, Kemppi, Hobart, Everlast, CK Worldwide)Stick WelderSMAW Welder (Miller, Lincoln, ESAB, Fronius, Hobart, Everlast, Tweco, Victor)Flux‑Cored Arc WelderLegalEqual Employment Opportunity:Nichols Bros. Boat Buildersis an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on race, political affiliation, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, age, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability.Nichols Bros. Boat Builders is a drug free workplace, and all applicants are subject to a pre-employment drug screen and a background check.