Marine Structural Welding Specialist

It’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 glance

From 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 responsibilities

• Weld 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.

Qualifications

What you bring

• 3+ 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 apart

• Hands‑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.

Benefits

• Company‑funded commuter benefit for Washington State Ferry riders
• 401(k) with company match
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Health Savings Account
• Group life insurance + optional supplemental life and disability
• Paid time off
• Employee Assistance Program
• Culture of learning with state‑certified apprenticeship programs

Tools, tech, and proficiencies

You should be proficient in

• GD&T
• Troubleshooting
• Journeyman’s License
• OSHA 10‑Hour Certification (OSHA 10)
• Welding setups for production
• Vehicle & fleet welding
• Blueprint reading

Machines & technologies you’ll use

• MIG Welder (ESAB, Fronius, Kemppi, Hobart, Everlast)
• TIG Welder (ESAB, Fronius, Kemppi, Hobart, Everlast, CK Worldwide)
• Stick Welder
• SMAW Welder (Miller, Lincoln, ESAB, Fronius, Hobart, Everlast, Tweco, Victor)
• Flux‑Cored Arc Welder

Legal

Equal 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.