Maritime Hull & Superstructure Welder

Join a team that has shaped the waterways since 1964. At Nichols Bros. Boat Builders in Freeland, WA, we design and build advanced vessels—tugs, ferries, fire boats, fishing vessels, barges, dinner boats, and more. As a Maritime Hull & Superstructure Welder, you’ll transform plate and beam into seaworthy strength, contributing across fabrication, assembly, subassembly, and final erection.

Our mission—and your impact

Every clean bead you lay supports a community ferry crossing, a tug on station, or a fire boat ready to respond. You’ll weld structural components across the vessel—hulls, superstructures, masts, pilothouses, and engine rooms—using wire feed and stick processes, with craftsmanship that stands up to the sea.

How you’ll contribute

• Complete weld‑outs on panels, assemblies, and modules; participate in final vessel construction while meeting safety and schedule goals.
• Perform fillet, butt, socket, and mitered joints across flat, horizontal, vertical, and overhead positions.
• Prep and grind seams for tacking and for post‑weld inspection to ensure code‑quality results.
• Set up arc welding equipment for root passes, hanger welds, and repairs.
• Dial in MIG parameters for watertight and skip‑weld patterns; accurately lay out skip sequences.
• Air Arc back‑gouge and remove nonconforming welds.
• Sub‑arc large hull and deck plates.
• Maintain equipment—clean, lubricate, and adjust using air hoses, cleaning fluids, and hand tools.
• Prepare metal with grinders, cutters, and drills.
• Install lighting and ventilation for confined spaces per shipyard best practices.
• Weld multiple alloys, including aluminum, mild steel, stainless steel, and copper‑nickel.
• Deliver hundreds of inches of high‑quality weld per 8‑hour shift.
• Communicate clearly, adapt quickly, interpret drawings, and solve problems within a collaborative crew.
• Model ESR safety culture and meticulous housekeeping.
• Foster cooperative relationships; mentor apprentices and peers.
• Document and share information succinctly, orally and in writing.
• Support additional production tasks as needed.

What you need to succeed

• 3+ years of welding experience.
• Proficiency reading specifications and blueprints.
• Sound basic math (emphasized) and concise communication.
• Experience around heavy machinery.
• Able to enter confined spaces with a respirator and work in tight, awkward postures.
• Familiar with shipyard safety protocols and vessel terminology.
• High school diploma/equivalent; vocational training preferred.
• 2‑G, 3‑G, 4‑G ABS Steel required; Aluminum a plus; USCG certifications or ability to obtain within 90 days.
• Basic hand and power tool knowledge.
• Formal training in physics, chemistry, welding equipment care/operation, blueprint reading, metallurgy, SMAW/TIG, and advanced FCAW/GMAW.
• USCG or ABS certified/certifiable.
• Willing to work overtime.
• Lift/carry up to 50 lbs., work at heights to 60 ft., and enter confined spaces with a respirator.
• Strong verbal communication.

Extra credit

• Experience with multiple alloys/materials (e.g., steel and aluminum).
• 6‑G ABS or USCG certifications in Stainless Steel (ARC, MIG, TIG), Aluminum (TIG), Copper‑Nickel (TIG).
• Marine structural welding experience.
• Forklift and manlift certification/experience.
• Interest and aptitude for future crew leadership roles.
• New construction or repair shipyard background.
• Shipyard Competent Person certification.
• OSHA 10 certification.
• Ultrasound training/certification (Level 1+).
• CWI or CWS certification.

Benefits that back your craft

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

Professional toolkit

You should be proficient in

• GD&T
• Troubleshooting Skills
• 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.