Job Description

NBBB has been building boats on beautiful Whidbey Island since 1964. We are in Freeland, WA where we produce state-of-the-art vessels, tugs, ferries, fire boats, fishing vessels, barges, dinner boats, along with many other sophisticated ships. We are seeking a Facilities and Maintenance Technician who will service the shipyard facilities and maintenance related needs including but not limited to oversight, administration and execution of company’s stormwater management system, yard electrical system, air and gas systems, plumbing systems, structural building repair and maintenance and light construction projects to ensure smooth operation of production facilities.

We are now seeking a Structural Welder who will weld structural portions of marine vessels together and perform wire feed and stick welding operations to support fabrication, assembly, subassembly, and final erection of all structural components on marine vessels including hulls, superstructures, masts, pilot house, and engine rooms.

What You Will Do

Weld out panels, assemblies, modules, and final build of vessels, good housekeeping and safety practices, and completion of assignments in a timely manner. Weld seams and skip welds, flat, horizontal, vertical, and overhead, for fillet, butt-weld, socket, and mitered joints. Grind and prep weld seams for tacking, grinding, and final inspection post weld. Set up and set arc welder for root passes, welding hangers, and repairs Set up, set, and operate MIG welders for watertight and skip weld patterns Layout skip weld patterns Perform Air Arc operations to back gouge welds and remove bad welds Sub-arc large hull and deck plates Clean, lubricate, maintain, and adjust equipment to maintain efficient operation, using air hoses, cleaning fluids, and hand tools Prepare metal surfaces, using hand-operated equipment, such as grinders, cutters, or drills. Set up ventilation and lighting in confined spaces using best shipyard practices Performs welds on many alloys including but not limited to aluminum, mild steel, stainless steel, and copper nickel. Complete hundreds of inches of weld during an eight-hour day, with a desired outcome of a quality joint on every weld. Work as a member of a team demonstrating skills to effectively communicate, adapt, interpret and problem solve. Always embrace ESR safety culture and practice safe shipyard work practices and housekeeping Develop and maintain constructive and cooperative working relationships with fellow crew members and supervision Share your knowledge in the trade with other employees, especially those in learning or apprentice roles Responsible for safe work practices and housekeeping procedures. Express ideas concisely and clearly, both orally and in writing. Perform other tasks as needed that may arise in our exciting work environment

Qualifications

What You Bring to Our Team

3+ Years experience as a Welder Ability to read, interpret specifications, and work from drawings and blueprints Ability to understand and apply basic math skills Ability to express ideas concisely and clearly, both orally and in writing. Experience working around Heavy Machinery Ability to enter confined spaces using a respirator, and work in small workspaces at odd angles. Knowledge of shipyard safety practices and vessel terminology High School Education or equivalent or vocational education 2-G, 3-G, 4-G ABS Steel Required Aluminum a plus or Coast Guard Certifications, or ability to obtain certifications within 90 days of employment Able to understand and perform basic mathematics Knowledge of basic hand and power tools Formal external or internal training in physics, chemistry, weld equipment care and operating, blueprint reading, metallurgy, SMAW/TIG welding, and advanced welding principles of FCAW/GMAW welding processes. Certified or certifiable in USCG or ABS welding. Ability to work overtime as necessary Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs. must be able to work at heights of 60 ft. Must be able to enter confined spaces using a respirator, and work in small workspaces at odd angles. Good verbal communication skills

What Additional Things Would Distinguish You

Experience and Proficiency working with multiple alloys / materials (for example, Steel and Aluminum) 6-G ABS or USCG Certifications in Stainless Steel (ARC, MIG, & TIG), Aluminum (TIG), and Copper Nickel (TIG). Marine Structural Welding Experience Certification and experience in use of forklifts and manlifts. Interest in and aptitude for taking on future crew leadership roles Previous experience in a shipyard (new construction or repair) Certification as a Shipyard Competent Person OSHA 10- Certification Ultrasound training or certification (Level 1 or higher) CWI or CWS certification

Benefits

Company funded commuter benefit for riders of the Washington State Ferry System 401(k) and 401(k) matching Health insurance Health savings account Dental insurance Group Life Insurance with Optional supplemental life and disability insurance programs Paid time off Vision insurance Employee Assistance Program Culture of Learning with State-Certified Apprenticeship Programs

Equal Employment Opportunity: Nichols Bros. Boat Builders is 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.

How this job compares in Freeland, WA

Pay in context

This employer didn't publish a rate. For reference, welding jobs across Washington currently run a median of $33/hr in our index, with the middle half of them falling between $27–$41/hr across 55 postings with published pay. That median is a reasonable floor to anchor on when a recruiter asks what you're looking for.

The local market in Freeland, WA

This is the only active welding job we're currently tracking in Freeland, WA, which makes it worth moving on quickly — there is no local competing offer to weigh it against. Across Washington as a whole we're tracking 75 other active welding openings from 53 employers. Browse welding jobs across Washington.

The most active employers in Washington at the moment, by number of open welding reqs, are Loenbro (5), Parker Hannifin (4), and CalPortland (4). Volume like that usually means either a genuine expansion or a staffing agency working several client sites — worth knowing which before you apply.

What you'll be running

This posting calls for MIG, TIG, Stick, and Flux-Core work. MIG (GMAW) feeds a continuous wire electrode through a shielding-gas nozzle. It lays down metal fast and is forgiving on clean material, which is why it dominates production and light fabrication work. TIG (GTAW) uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode with filler added by hand, giving the operator the most control of any process. It is slow, demanding, and the standard for stainless, aluminum, and anything where the bead has to look as good as it holds.

See all structural welder openings if you want to compare this against similar roles.

Certifications this posting mentions

  • CWIthe AWS Certified Welding Inspector credential. It is an inspection qualification rather than a welding one, requiring documented experience plus a three-part exam, and it is the usual route off the torch into QC.

Read straight from this posting's text. Confirm the exact qualification the employer wants before you test — requirements vary by shop even under the same code.

Similar openings near Freeland, WA

Pay figures are medians computed from live postings in the Welding Pros index, not from survey data, and they move as employers post. STRUCTURAL WELDER JOURNEYMAN NBB figures were last recalculated when this page was built.