FCAW / Flux Core Welder – Belfast

FCAW / Flux Core Welder – Belfast Location: Belfast Initial project: Approximately 4–5 months Longer-term opportunity: Potential progression onto a 6–8-year MOD project Payment: PAYE Shifts: Days and nights Working hours: 10 hours per day, 6 days per week, Monday to Saturday, with potential Sunday shifts being introduced MDE is recruiting experienced FCAW / Flux Core Welders to support a barge block fabrication project at a Belfast shipyard. The initial project involves welding structural steel assemblies and fabricated blocks for a barge, with an expected duration of approximately 4–5 months. Following this initial scope, there is potential for suitable workers to progress onto a 6–8-year MOD project. Continued work will depend on performance, project requirements and client approval. We welcome applications from suitable local welders and those willing to travel. Pay Rates * Days: £28.02 per hour for the first 40 hours worked each week, including holiday pay. * Nights: £37.26 per hour for the first 40 hours worked each week, including holiday pay. * Overtime: £42.03 per hour after 40 hours per week, on either shift, including holiday pay. * Travel / accommodation / subsistence: £406.40 per week, where applicable. The basic day rate before holiday pay is £25.00 per hour. Nights are calculated at 1.33× that basic rate, and overtime at 1.5×. The night premium is not added to the overtime rate. All hourly rates are gross before PAYE deductions. Example Weekly Earnings – Days * 55 paid hours: £1,751.25, or £2,157.65 including the weekly allowance. * 60 paid hours: £1,961.40, or £2,367.80 including the weekly allowance. * 65 paid hours: £2,171.55, or £2,577.95 including the weekly allowance. Example Weekly Earnings – Nights * 55 paid hours: £2,120.85, or £2,527.25 including the weekly allowance. * 60 paid hours: £2,331.00, or £2,737.40 including the weekly allowance. * 65 paid hours: £2,541.15, or £2,947.55 including the weekly allowance. All earnings examples include holiday pay and are gross before PAYE deductions. They use 40 basic hours plus 15, 20 or 25 overtime hours respectively. Allowance totals assume eligibility for the full £406.40 weekly payment. Actual earnings depend on paid hours and shift worked; these examples do not guarantee weekly hours. Key Responsibilities * FCAW welding using process 136 on barge blocks and structural assemblies. * Completing multi-run butt and fillet welds on structural steel. * Welding in vertical-up and overhead positions. * Working from engineering drawings, welding symbols and welding procedure specifications (WPS). * Using ceramic backing tiles for root passes. * Preparing and cleaning weld areas. * Completing welds to the required quality standards. * Working alongside Platers, Fabricators and other shipbuilding trades. Previous shipbuilding, ship repair, marine or heavy structural fabrication experience would be particularly relevant. Other welding process experience is beneficial alongside strong FCAW skills. Requirements * Strong, demonstrable FCAW / Flux Core welding experience. * Recent structural steel welding experience. * Experience completing multi-run butt and fillet welds. * Strong vertical-up and overhead welding capability. * Experience using ceramic backing tiles. * Ability to read engineering drawings and welding symbols. * Ability to work to WPS and required welding procedures. * Prepared to undertake an onsite practical weld test. * Able to complete the required onboarding and security clearance process. Onsite Welding Test Candidates will be required to complete a practical weld test consisting of: * Vertical-up butt weld: 15 mm plate with a 250 mm weld length, using FCAW with ceramic backing. * Additional butt weld: 250 mm weld length, with a downhand root using solid wire, followed by overhead fill and cap. * Supplementary fillet weld. Testing takes approximately 3 hours. Results are normally available approximately 1 day after testing. Test payment and travel: Candidates who successfully pass the welding test will receive 1 day’s wages and reimbursement of travel expenses up to £150. Both payments are conditional on passing the test. PPE: The site provides PPE for the test. Candidates must bring their own safety boots. To Apply Please send your latest CV and confirm your availability to test, earliest start date and preferred shift