Tank Welder

CB&I Careers•Richland, IA

About The Position

The Tank Welder lays out, aligns, fits, and welds fabricated, cast, and forged components to assemble structural forms such as tanks, pressure vessels, machinery frames, furnace shells, buildings, and piping, following blueprints and metallurgy. The role selects materials and equipment, plans layouts and assemblies, and applies knowledge of metal properties, geometry, weld shrinkage, and welding techniques. The welder may use gas-metal arc, flux-cored arc, gas-tungsten arc, submerged arc, or shielded metal arc welding processes. Work includes joining components in flat, horizontal, vertical, or overhead positions; inspecting welds; handling materials and equipment; and performing basic tool maintenance. Respiratory protection is common and may be required. Workers must pass employer or standard performance tests to meet certification standards and may perform only procedures for which they are certified. The position requires compliance with safety and project rules and may involve general construction labor, elevated platforms and scaffolds, and confined spaces where respirators and fresh-air equipment are used. Physical activities include frequent climbing, balancing, bending, and constant reaching, handling, feeling, vision, and hearing.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Previous experience in the field or a related area; the number of years is not specified.
Ability to read a standard measuring tape.
Ability to pass employer performance tests or standard tests to meet certification standards and perform only procedures for which certified.
Ability to comply with written and verbal safety rules and procedures.
Ability to understand verbal instructions and written posted notices.
Ability to work with precise limits or standards of accuracy and make decisions based on measurable criteria.
Ability to apply basic mathematics, plan work, and select proper tools.
Ability to visualize objects in three dimensions from plans and drawings and compare sizes, shapes, and forms.
Ability to learn to read and understand basic drawings and visually inspect personal work.
Ability to pass required safety exams.
Ability to access elevated platforms and scaffolds and climb structures using appropriate fall protection.
Ability to work in confined spaces where respirators and fresh-air equipment are used.
Ability to maintain and use personal protective equipment and perform general construction-site labor.

Responsibilities

Select pipe or other materials and equipment according to specifications.
Select equipment and plan layouts, assembly, and welding based on knowledge of geometry, metal properties, machining, weld shrinkage, and welding techniques.
Use applicable welding processes, including gas-metal arc, flux-cored arc, gas-tungsten arc, submerged arc, or shielded metal arc welding.
Lay out, position, align, and fit components together in various body positions.
Bolt, clamp, tack weld, and weld metal components, including piping systems, plates, pipes, tubes, and structural shapes, in flat, horizontal, vertical, or overhead positions.
Connect welding-unit cables and set amperage, voltage, slope, and pulse according to procedure or supervisor direction.
Select and install electrodes or thread consumable electrode wire through a welding gun.
Start the power supply and strike an arc to melt and deposit electrode metal onto the workpiece.
Guide the electrode or gun along the weld line while maintaining the specified arc length, speed, and movement to achieve the required fusion depth and bead.
Manually apply filler rod when needed.
Clean or degrease weld joints and work areas; repair broken or cracked parts and fill holes; and remove excess or defective weld material, slag, and spatter.
Preheat workpieces when needed and cut metal plates or structural shapes.
Examine welds for bead size and other specifications.
Load, transport, and unload materials, tools, equipment, and supplies.
Assist with lifting, positioning, and securing materials and workpieces during installation.
Perform minor maintenance and cleaning of tools and equipment.
Assist other mechanics as needed.
Observe and comply with safety and project rules and perform other duties as required.
Work within precise limits of accuracy, make decisions based on measurable criteria, apply basic mathematics, plan work and select tools, visualize objects in three dimensions from plans and drawings, and compare sizes, shapes, and forms.
Use ladders, stairways, or other designated access ways to reach elevated work platforms and scaffolds; climb structures using appropriate fall protection and available handholds and footholds.
Perform general labor on construction sites and work in confined spaces using respirators and fresh-air equipment when required.
Maintain and use personal protective equipment and keep the work area clean, orderly, and safe.
Perform a variety of duties that may change, understand verbal instructions and written notices, learn to read basic drawings, visually inspect personal work, and pass required safety exams.