Welder

Aerotek; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 28,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) retirement plan

Life insurance

Job summary

Aerotek is seeking a Welder to repair barges and tugboats along the river, focusing on stick welding and structural fabrication. You will read blueprints, measure parts, and fabricate components to keep vessels safe and ready for service.

You will primarily use stick welding with occasional MIG welding and torch cutting, performing outdoor barge work in a shipyard setting and maintaining high safety standards. This is a contract-to-hire role in St. Louis, MO.

Qualifications

• Experience with stick welding on marine or heavy industrial structures.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints and drawings.
• Capable of working outdoors around heavy equipment.

Responsibilities

• Perform structural repairs on barges and tugboats using stick welding.
• Carry out welding and fabrication tasks with MIG and torch cutting.
• Measure, fit, and prepare materials to spec with tape measure.
• Inspect welds and surfaces and grind as needed for finish.
• Adhere to safety procedures in a barge/shipyard environment.
• Work 2:30 PM to 11:00 PM shift and adjust priorities as required.

Skills

Stick welding

MIG welding

Reading blueprints

Torch cutting

Grind welds

Tools

Torch cutting equipment

Grinders

Tape measure

Job description

Job Title: Welder

Job Description

This role focuses on repairing barges and tugboats operating along the river, with a strong emphasis on stick welding and structural fabrication. You will use your welding, fitting, and fabrication skills to restore and maintain marine vessels so they remain safe, reliable, and ready for service.

Responsibilities

• Perform structural repairs on barges and tugboats using primarily stick welding techniques.
• Carry out approximately 95% stick welding and 5% fabrication work as part of daily tasks.
• Interpret and work from blueprints and drawings to complete accurate and safe repairs.
• Use MIG welding, stick welding, and torch cutting equipment to repair and fabricate components.
• Measure, mark, and fit materials using a tape measure and appropriate tools to ensure correct dimensions.
• Grind welds and surfaces to achieve required finish and prepare materials for welding and fabrication.
• Inspect existing structures and welds to identify damage, wear, and required repairs.
• Work safely in a shipyard or barge environment, following established safety practices and procedures.
• Operate cutting torches and grinding tools in a safe and controlled manner.
• Collaborate with other team members to complete repair projects efficiently and to required standards.
• Maintain tools, equipment, and work areas in clean and functional condition.
• Work the assigned shift from 2:30 PM to 11:00 PM and adapt to changing repair priorities as needed.

Essential Skills

• Proven welding experience, with strong proficiency in stick welding.
• Ability to perform approximately 95% of work using stick welding techniques.
• Experience with MIG welding in a repair or fabrication environment.
• Proficiency in torch cutting for structural repair and fabrication tasks.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints and technical drawings.
• Hands-on experience with grinding and surface preparation for welding.
• Ability to use a tape measure accurately for fitting and layout work.
• General welding qualification or certification relevant to structural or marine welding.
• Experience working in shipyard, barge, or similar heavy industrial environments.
• Capability to work safely in outdoor conditions and around heavy equipment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Welding certificates or formal welding training.
• Blueprint reading coursework or on-the-job experience.
• Experience with fitting and fabrication of structural components.
• Background in marine, shipyard, or barge repair environments.
• Comfort working with grinding tools, cutting torches, and fabrication equipment.
• Ability to adapt to varied repair tasks and changing priorities.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to producing quality welds and repairs.

Why Work Here?

You will join a hands-on, skilled trades environment where your welding expertise directly contributes to the safety and reliability of critical marine equipment. The role offers consistent work on diverse repair projects, allowing you to sharpen and expand your welding and fabrication skills. You will work with experienced tradespeople in a setting that values craftsmanship, reliability, and safe work practices.

Work Environment

This position is based in a barge and shipyard setting where most work takes place outdoors or in partially sheltered areas. You will work primarily on barges and tugboats along the river, often exposed to wind, rain, snow, and heat, so comfort working in varying weather conditions is essential. The role uses welding equipment, cutting torches, grinders, and fabrication tools in a heavy industrial environment. The standard shift runs from 2:30 PM to 11:00 PM, and you will be expected to follow all safety procedures and wear appropriate personal protective equipment suitable for welding and marine repair work.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of St. Louis, MO.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $20.00 - $30.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your jobclassification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may besubject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefitsavailable for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 13, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in St. Louis,MO.

Aerotek

Aerotek offers weekly pay, employee benefits including medical, dental & vision, life insurance, health advocacy and employee assistance programs, a 401(k) plan, and employee discounts.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.