Shop Plate Welder
Company
CB&I Careers
Location
Houston, TX
Job Type
Full-time
Via
CB&I
Apply On
Job Description
Company Overview
CB&I® is the world’s leading designer and builder of storage facilities, tanks and terminals. With more than 60,000 structures completed throughout our 135+ year history, we have the global expertise and strategically-located operations to provide customers world-class storage solutions for even the most complex energy infrastructure projects.
Overview
Welds together metal components of products, as specified by layout, blueprints, diagram, work order, welding procedures, or oral instructions, using electric arc-welding equipment.
Responsibilities
• Lays out, fits and welds fabricated heavy plate steel components to assemble tanks and pressure vessel
• Manually guides electrode or gun along weld line, maintaining length of arc and speed of movement to form specified depth of fusion and bead, as judged from color of metal, sound of weld, and size of molten puddle.
• Obtains specified electrode and inserts electrode into portable holder or threads consumable electrode wire through portable welding gun.
• Connects cables from welding unit to obtain amperage, voltage, slope, and pulse, as specified by Welding Engineer.
• Starts power supply to produce electric current.
• Strikes arc which generates heat to make and deposit metal from electrode to work piece and join edges of work piece.
• Welds in flat, horizontal, vertical, or overhead positions.
• Examines weld for bead size and other specifications.
• May manually apply filler rod to supply weld metal.
• May clean or degrease weld joint or work piece, using wire brush, portable grinder, or chemical bath.
• May repair broken or cracked parts and fill holes. May prepare broken parts for welding by grooving or scarfing surfaces.
• May chip off excess weld, slag, and spatter, using hand scraper or power chipper. May preheat work piece, using hand torch or heating furnace.
• May position and clamp work pieces together or assemble them in jig or fixture. May tack assemblies together.
• May cut metal plates or structural shapes.
• May be designated according to type of equipment used as Welder, Carbon Arc (welding); Welder, Flux-Cored Arc (welding); Welder, Gas-Metal Arc (welding); Welder, Gas-Tungsten Arc (welding); Welder, Hand, Submerged Arc (welding); Welder, Plasma Arc (welding); Welder, Shielded-Metal Arc (welding).
• May operate other machine shop equipment to prepare components for welding.
• May be required to pass employer performance tests or standard tests to meet certification standards of governmental agencies or professional and technical associations.
• Responsible for observing and complying with all safety and project rules, including wearing required personal safety equipment. Performs other duties and activities as required.
JOB REQUIREMENTS
• Performing only those jobs on which they have been trained and/or authorized.
• Working in accordance with safe job practices and complying with company safety rules
• Using required personal protective equipment
• Reporting unsafe conditions or practices
• Making safety suggestions
• Serving on the safety committee if requested
• Cooperating during investigation of any accidents that occur
• Taking an active part and participating in safety meetings, pre-job safety briefings, task hazard analyses and Job Safety Analyses.
Local Requirements
Physical Demands:
NP=Not Present, O=Occasionally (0-33%), F=Frequently (34-66%), C=Constantly (67-100%)
Standing
F
Walking
F
Sitting
O
Crouching
F
Bending
F
Balancing
O
Climbing
O
Stooping
O
Crawling
O
Reaching
F
Handling
F
Fingering
F
Lifting (lbs.)
Carrying (lbs.)
Pushing/Pulling (lbs.)
0-10 lbs.
F
0-10 lbs.
F
0-10 lbs.
O
10-20 lbs.
F
10-20 lbs.
F
10-20 lbs.
O
25-50 lbs.
O
25-50 lbs.
O
25-50 lbs.
O
50-100 lbs.
NP
50-100 lbs.
NP
50-100 lbs.
NP
100+ lbs.
NP
100+ lbs.
NP
100+ lbs.
NP
Qualifications
May require a high school diploma or its equivalent and previous years of related experience.
Has knowledge of commonly-used concepts, practices, and procedures within a particular field.
Relies on instructions and pre-established guidelines to perform the functions of the job.
Works under minimum supervision.
CB&I® is the world’s leading designer and builder of storage facilities, tanks and terminals. With more than 60,000 structures completed throughout our 135+ year history, we have the global expertise and strategically-located operations to provide customers world-class storage solutions for even the most complex energy infrastructure projects.
Overview
Welds together metal components of products, as specified by layout, blueprints, diagram, work order, welding procedures, or oral instructions, using electric arc-welding equipment.
Responsibilities
• Lays out, fits and welds fabricated heavy plate steel components to assemble tanks and pressure vessel
• Manually guides electrode or gun along weld line, maintaining length of arc and speed of movement to form specified depth of fusion and bead, as judged from color of metal, sound of weld, and size of molten puddle.
• Obtains specified electrode and inserts electrode into portable holder or threads consumable electrode wire through portable welding gun.
• Connects cables from welding unit to obtain amperage, voltage, slope, and pulse, as specified by Welding Engineer.
• Starts power supply to produce electric current.
• Strikes arc which generates heat to make and deposit metal from electrode to work piece and join edges of work piece.
• Welds in flat, horizontal, vertical, or overhead positions.
• Examines weld for bead size and other specifications.
• May manually apply filler rod to supply weld metal.
• May clean or degrease weld joint or work piece, using wire brush, portable grinder, or chemical bath.
• May repair broken or cracked parts and fill holes. May prepare broken parts for welding by grooving or scarfing surfaces.
• May chip off excess weld, slag, and spatter, using hand scraper or power chipper. May preheat work piece, using hand torch or heating furnace.
• May position and clamp work pieces together or assemble them in jig or fixture. May tack assemblies together.
• May cut metal plates or structural shapes.
• May be designated according to type of equipment used as Welder, Carbon Arc (welding); Welder, Flux-Cored Arc (welding); Welder, Gas-Metal Arc (welding); Welder, Gas-Tungsten Arc (welding); Welder, Hand, Submerged Arc (welding); Welder, Plasma Arc (welding); Welder, Shielded-Metal Arc (welding).
• May operate other machine shop equipment to prepare components for welding.
• May be required to pass employer performance tests or standard tests to meet certification standards of governmental agencies or professional and technical associations.
• Responsible for observing and complying with all safety and project rules, including wearing required personal safety equipment. Performs other duties and activities as required.
JOB REQUIREMENTS
• Performing only those jobs on which they have been trained and/or authorized.
• Working in accordance with safe job practices and complying with company safety rules
• Using required personal protective equipment
• Reporting unsafe conditions or practices
• Making safety suggestions
• Serving on the safety committee if requested
• Cooperating during investigation of any accidents that occur
• Taking an active part and participating in safety meetings, pre-job safety briefings, task hazard analyses and Job Safety Analyses.
Local Requirements
Physical Demands:
NP=Not Present, O=Occasionally (0-33%), F=Frequently (34-66%), C=Constantly (67-100%)
Standing
F
Walking
F
Sitting
O
Crouching
F
Bending
F
Balancing
O
Climbing
O
Stooping
O
Crawling
O
Reaching
F
Handling
F
Fingering
F
Lifting (lbs.)
Carrying (lbs.)
Pushing/Pulling (lbs.)
0-10 lbs.
F
0-10 lbs.
F
0-10 lbs.
O
10-20 lbs.
F
10-20 lbs.
F
10-20 lbs.
O
25-50 lbs.
O
25-50 lbs.
O
25-50 lbs.
O
50-100 lbs.
NP
50-100 lbs.
NP
50-100 lbs.
NP
100+ lbs.
NP
100+ lbs.
NP
100+ lbs.
NP
Qualifications
May require a high school diploma or its equivalent and previous years of related experience.
Has knowledge of commonly-used concepts, practices, and procedures within a particular field.
Relies on instructions and pre-established guidelines to perform the functions of the job.
Works under minimum supervision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers about Welder Jobs
What is the median hourly wage for welders in the United States as of 2026?
As per the U.S. Department of Labor, the median hourly wage for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers is $25.22 as of May 2026 data. Welders in manufacturing earn $26.15 per hour on average while those in construction receive $24.80 per hour. Overtime pay at 1.5 times the regular rate applies after 40 hours per week under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
What certifications and experience are required to qualify for welder jobs in the United States?
As per the U.S. Department of Labor, welders must complete a high school diploma or equivalent plus a postsecondary welding program lasting 6 to 18 months. AWS Certified Welder credential and 2,000 hours of documented experience are required for most positions in structural welding. Employers in shipbuilding and aerospace require additional ASME Section IX qualifications.
What are the standard working hours and paid leave entitlements for welders in the United States?
As per the U.S. Department of Labor, full-time welders work 40 hours per week with overtime required after 40 hours. Workers receive at least 10 paid holidays and accrue 10 days of paid sick leave annually under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act extensions. Union contracts in construction add 15 days of paid vacation after one year.
How are federal income taxes calculated on welder wages in the United States for 2026?
As per the Internal Revenue Service, welders earning $52,500 annually in 2026 pay 12% federal income tax on income between $11,601 and $47,150 plus 22% on the amount above $47,150. Social Security tax is withheld at 6.2% up to the $168,600 wage base. Employers must issue Form W-2 by January 31 each year.
