Shop Plate Welder

Houston, United States
Shop Plate Welder
Company
CB&I Careers
Location
Houston, TX
Job type
Full-time
Via
CB&I
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.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Welder Jobs in United States

Q
What is the starting salary for entry-level welder jobs in the US in 2026?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the 10th percentile annual wage for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers at $38,700, or $18.60 per hour, as projected for 2026. Most entry-level positions require on-the-job training and pay between $18.60 and $22.00 per hour depending on location. Overtime pay is at least 1.5 times the regular rate over 40 hours per week.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Q
What work visa do I need as a foreign welder to work in the US in 2026?
Foreign welders can apply for H-2B temporary non-agricultural work visas, requiring a temporary labor certification from DOL valid for up to 12 months. USCIS approves H-2B petitions with a FY2026 cap of 68,500 visas after exemptions. Employers must prove no US workers available and pay prevailing wage of at least $24.50 per hour.
Source: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Q
What education and experience do I need to qualify for welder jobs in 2026?
A high school diploma or equivalent is required, plus 3 to 6 months of on-the-job training or a DOL-registered apprenticeship program lasting 1-2 years. No college degree is needed, but 1-2 years of experience boosts hiring chances. About 49,800 annual openings are projected through 2033 for qualified candidates.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Q
What documents are required to apply for welder jobs through US government programs?
Submit a resume, high school diploma, proof of apprenticeship completion via DOL Registered Apprenticeship ID, and AWS certification if held. For federal contractor jobs, include Form ETA-9062 for compliance. Applications via Apprenticeship.gov require SSN and training hours log.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration