Plater/Welder, Charlton in Gravesend

Join Cory as a Plater/Welder maintaining and repairing vessels that keep London moving by river, supporting safe, sustainable operations across the Thames. Cory is one of the UK’s leading resource management, recycling, and energy recovery companies. We use the River Thames as a green highway, saving around 100,000 truck movements a year – a vital way of getting traffic off the road and making London safer and less polluted.

As a river-based business, we are proud to support the growth of the Thames economy and the wider inland waterways sector. As a Plater/Welder at Cory, you’ll play a hands‑on role in maintaining and repairing the vessels that keep London’s waste moving by river. Working as part of our Ship Repair Services team, you’ll support both in‑house operations and third‑party customers, helping ensure our fleet of tugs, barges and containers remains safe, compliant and reliable.

This is a varied, practical role where no two days are the same. From fabricating steel barge and vessel sections to carrying out emergency repairs and salvage work, your skills will be used across a wide range of engineering challenges. You’ll also support yard activities, vessel movements in and out of slipways, and the general upkeep of our Charlton site. While based at Charlton, you’ll occasionally be asked to work at other sites, typically our Gravesend location.

Safety and environmental responsibility sit at the heart of everything we do. You’ll work in full compliance with international, national and company legislation, take part in emergency exercises, and help ensure Cory’s high standards are met every day. You’ll also have the opportunity to support the development of others, including assisting in the training of apprentices. It’s a role where your experience matters – not just in what you build and repair, but in the example you set for the next generation of engineers.

Job requirements

• We’re looking for someone with solid hot works experience, including welding, fabrication and burning, who is confident working with heavy machinery and engineering equipment.
• You’ll be comfortable turning technical drawings into high‑quality, practical solutions.
• An understanding of working at height and confined or enclosed space environments is essential, as is a strong commitment to safe working practices.
• You’ll take personal responsibility for maintaining a safe working environment for yourself and those around you.
• This role suits someone who enjoys teamwork and flexibility. You’ll work closely with colleagues across Ship Repair Services and be adaptable with working hours when operational demands require it.
• A full driving licence would be an advantage, but above all we’re looking for someone who brings a positive attitude, practical expertise and pride in their work.

Cory is an inclusive workplace for people of all backgrounds and walks of life. As a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, we actively encourage job applications from veterans and reservists, to whom we will provide additional assistance when needed. You may see a long list of job requirements and feel discouraged because you don’t match every single bullet point. We welcome your application if you feel you could make a positive impact in the role. We don’t use AI to screen, score or select candidates — our recruitment is 100% human‑led.