Pipe Fitter 1st Class

Gulf Copper; Galveston (TX); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Gulf Copper in Galveston, TX seeks an experienced Plate Fitter 1st Class to join our shipyard team. This role requires blueprint literacy, structural fitting, and the ability to work in a heavy industrial environment with a strong emphasis on safety and quality.

The candidate should be dependable, team oriented, and willing to work overtime as needed. Background screening and ITAR/CUI access requirements apply.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma preferred or an equivalent certificate.
• Must pass a hands‑on test and/or have marine/industrial plate fitting experience.

Responsibilities

• Read and interpret blueprints and drawings for fabrication.
• Lay out positions of parts on metal and prepare templates for fabrication.
• Rivet or weld parts in hull sections with appropriate equipment.
• Verify material compatibility with specifications for quality control.
• Operate hand and power tools safely and efficiently.
• Maintain orientation to safety, quality, and teamwork.

Skills

Blueprint interpretation

Lay out & measurement

Basic math

Team collaboration

Safety compliance

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

1st Class: 3-5 years plate fitter experience

2nd Class: 1-3 years

Job description

Plate Fitter 1st Class

We are seeking an experienced Plate Fitter to join our team. The ideal candidate will have previous shipyard or heavy industrial experience, the ability to read and interpret blueprints and drawings, and a strong commitment to safety and quality. Candidates must be dependable, team-oriented, and available to work the overtime as needed.

Candidates must successfully pass required background screening and meet U.S. Person requirements for access to ITAR-controlled and CUI information.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

This position is responsible for the following: Other duties may be assigned.

1. Must have a basic understanding of mathematics and be able to perform operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, as well as work fractions.
2. Ability to interpret blueprints and perform lay outs and fabricate metal structural parts, such as plates, bulkheads, and frames, and braces them in position within hull of ship for riveting or welding.
3. Quality Control: before using verify material compatibility with specifications.
4. Lays out position of parts on metal, working from blueprints or templates and using scribe and hand tools.
5. Locates and marks reference lines, such as center, buttock, and frame lines.
6. Positions parts in hull of ship, assisted by Rigger.
7. Align parts in relation to each other, using jacks, turnbuckles, clips, wedges, and mauls.
8. Marks location of holes to be drilled and installs temporary fasteners to hold part in place for welding or riveting.
9. Install packing, gaskets, liners, and structural accessories and members, such as doors, hatches, brackets, and clips.
10. May prepare molds and templates for fabrication of nonstandard parts.

11. Remove high spots and cut bevels, using hand files, portable grinders and cutting torches.

12. May tack weld clips and brackets in place prior to permanent welding.
13. 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.
14. Safely and efficiently use various hand, power and cutting tools.

15. Be able to use large machinery such as a metal shear, metal brake and band saw.

Required Education & Experience

1. High School Diploma and/or one year certificate from college or technical school preferred.

2. Must be able to pass a hands-on test when applicable and/or marine/industrial plate/structural fitting experience:

• 1st Class: 3-5 years

• 2nd Class: 1-3 years

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 for 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. Cutting Torch
2. Squares
3. Levels
4. Hand and Power Tools

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.

* 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].