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Job Description

Overview

The Aluminum Structural Welder is responsible for the fabrication, fitting, and welding of aluminum components and structural assemblies used in the construction, repair, and modification of marine vessels. The ideal candidate will have experience performing high-quality MIG and/or TIG welds on marine-grade aluminum while working from engineering drawings, work instructions, and production schedules.

Responsibilities

  • Perform structural aluminum welding on marine vessels, hulls, decks, cabins, bulkheads, frames, and related components.
  • Read and interpret blueprints, engineering drawings, weld symbols, and shop sketches.
  • Fit, tack, align, and assemble aluminum structural components prior to welding.
  • Weld marine-grade aluminum using MIG and TIG processes in various positions.
  • Ensure all welds meet company quality standards and customer specifications.
  • Conduct visual inspections of completed welds and make repairs as required.
  • Operate fabrication equipment, including grinders, saws, drills, and material handling equipment.
  • Work closely with fitters, fabricators, supervisors, and quality personnel to meet production goals.
  • Maintain compliance with all shipyard safety procedures and environmental regulations.
  • Maintain a clean and organized work area.
  • Assist with vessel repair, modification, and retrofit projects as assigned.

Requirements

  • Minimum 3 years of aluminum welding experience in a shipyard, marine fabrication, or structural welding environment.
  • Proficient in MIG welding of marine-grade aluminum.
  • Ability to read and interpret blueprints and welding symbols.
  • Knowledge of aluminum fabrication methods and welding procedures.
  • Ability to use measuring tools, layout equipment, and fabrication tools.
  • Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality workmanship.
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
  • Previous experience building aluminum boats, ferries, patrol vessels, workboats, or commercial marine craft is preferred.
  • AWS D1.2 Aluminum Welding Certification or equivalent is preferred.
  • Experience with TIG welding and aluminum fitting is preferred.
  • Forklift, crane, or rigging experience is preferred.
  • Familiarity with Coast Guard, ABS, or other marine industry standards is preferred.
  • Ability to stand, bend, kneel, climb, and work in confined spaces for extended periods.
  • Ability to lift and move up to 50 pounds.
  • Ability to work at heights and aboard vessels under construction.
  • Must be able to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE), including welding helmet, respirator, gloves, safety glasses, and protective clothing.

Additional Information

  • Indoor and outdoor shipyard environment.
  • Exposure to welding fumes, grinding dust, noise, and varying weather conditions.
  • Overtime and weekend work may be required to meet production schedules.
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How this job compares in New Iberia, LA

Pay in context

This employer didn't publish a rate. For reference, welding jobs across Louisiana currently run a median of $28/hr in our index, with the middle half of them falling between $26–$35/hr across 32 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 New Iberia, LA

New Iberia, LA currently has 4 other active welding openings besides this one, spread across 3 employers. None of them were added in the last week, so this is a slower-moving market. Across Louisiana as a whole we're tracking 133 other active welding openings from 80 employers. That's enough local activity to be worth comparing two or three offers before committing. Browse every welding job in New Iberia, or widen the search to Louisiana.

The most active employers in Louisiana at the moment, by number of open welding reqs, are Worley (7), Gulf Island (7), and TIC - The Industrial Company (6). 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 and TIG 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 aluminum welder openings if you want to compare this against similar roles.

Similar openings near New Iberia, LA

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