Job description: Welder in Ireland
Duties, requirements, interview questions and a template ready for you to advertise your vacancy today.
Role summary
A welder joins and repairs metal parts and structures using processes such as MIG, TIG and stick welding. The role reads fabrication drawings, prepares the materials and produces welds that are strong, clean and to specification. The quality of a weld determines the safety of a structure, a pressure vessel or a vehicle, so a skilled welder protects both the client and the reputation of the workshop.
Main duties
- Read fabrication drawings and welding symbols to determine dimensions, joint types and weld sizes
- Cut, grind and bevel metal using saws, grinders, plasma cutters or oxy-fuel equipment
- Fit up, align and tack components using clamps, jigs and measuring tools before welding
- Weld carbon steel, stainless steel or aluminium using MIG/MAG, TIG or MMA processes as specified
- Set amperage, voltage, wire speed and gas flow according to the welding procedure
- Inspect finished welds visually for porosity, cracks, undercut and incomplete fusion, and repair defects
- Weld in flat, horizontal, vertical and overhead positions, on site as well as in the workshop
- Maintain welding machines, torches, cables and gas cylinders in a safe working condition
- Follow hot-work procedures, use the correct protective equipment and keep the area free of fire hazards
Typical requirements
- Technical or vocational qualification in welding or fabrication, or a completed apprenticeship
- Two or more years of experience in the welding processes and materials of the role
- Ability to read fabrication drawings and to use tape measures, squares and gauges accurately
- Welder qualification to a recognised standard, such as ISO 9606 or AWS D1.1, where the work requires it
- Ability to work in awkward positions, at height or in confined spaces, depending on the job
- Availability to work on site, on shifts or away from home when projects require it
Key skills
Vacancy template ready to copy
Replace the fields in square brackets with your company details.
Welder — [Company name]
At [Company name] we are looking for a welder for our fabrication workshop in [City]. The role involves preparing and welding metal components and structures to drawing, checking the quality of each weld and working safely, in a team that takes pride in careful workmanship.
Responsibilities
- Read fabrication drawings and welding symbols to determine dimensions, joint types and weld sizes
- Cut, grind and bevel metal using saws, grinders, plasma cutters or oxy-fuel equipment
- Fit up, align and tack components using clamps, jigs and measuring tools before welding
- Weld carbon steel, stainless steel or aluminium using MIG/MAG, TIG or MMA processes as specified
- Set amperage, voltage, wire speed and gas flow according to the welding procedure
- Inspect finished welds visually for porosity, cracks, undercut and incomplete fusion, and repair defects
- Weld in flat, horizontal, vertical and overhead positions, on site as well as in the workshop
- Maintain welding machines, torches, cables and gas cylinders in a safe working condition
- Follow hot-work procedures, use the correct protective equipment and keep the area free of fire hazards
Requirements
- Technical or vocational qualification in welding or fabrication, or a completed apprenticeship
- Two or more years of experience in the welding processes and materials of the role
- Ability to read fabrication drawings and to use tape measures, squares and gauges accurately
- Welder qualification to a recognised standard, such as ISO 9606 or AWS D1.1, where the work requires it
- Ability to work in awkward positions, at height or in confined spaces, depending on the job
- Availability to work on site, on shifts or away from home when projects require it
What we offer
- Salary: [Salary]
- Benefits: [Benefits]
- Location: [City]
Interested in this vacancy? Apply today.
How to hire a welder
Name the process and the material
A welder skilled in MIG on carbon steel may have no experience of TIG on stainless steel or aluminium. The advert should state the processes, materials, thicknesses and positions the work really involves.
Insist on a weld test
No interview replaces a practical test on the actual joint and position of the job. A test piece that is then bent or cut reveals penetration and fusion that the surface appearance can hide.
Check that certificates are current
Welder qualifications are specific to a process, material and position, and normally expire if not maintained. The certificate should be read carefully to confirm that it covers the work required.
Test drawing interpretation
Many welders weld well but depend on someone else to mark out the work. Asking the candidate to explain a simple fabrication drawing shows whether they can work independently.
Observe safety during the test
The way the candidate checks equipment, wears protection and clears flammable material before striking an arc says a great deal. Careless habits during a test only get worse on a busy day.
Interview questions for welder roles
Which welding processes and materials have you worked with most?
What to look for: Specific, honest experience that matches the processes and materials of the job.
How would you set up a machine to weld thin stainless steel sheet?
What to look for: Appropriate process, low heat input, correct gas and attention to distortion.
What causes porosity in a weld, and how would you prevent it?
What to look for: Contamination, moisture, poor gas shielding or wrong technique, with practical remedies.
How do you control distortion when welding a long joint?
What to look for: Tacking, sequence, clamping and balanced or stitch welding.
Could you describe a job in which your weld was rejected and what you did?
What to look for: Accepts the inspection, identifies the cause and repairs it properly without arguing.
What precautions would you take before welding near flammable materials or on a tank?
What to look for: Hot-work permit, clearing or shielding, fire watch, extinguisher and gas-freeing of containers.
How would you interpret the weld symbols on this drawing?
What to look for: Reads joint type, size and side correctly, or admits limits honestly.
What experience do you have of welding in vertical or overhead positions?
What to look for: Real practice in the positions needed, with awareness of technique changes.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the requirements for a welder in Ireland?
The most common ones in vacancies are: technical or vocational qualification in welding or fabrication, or a completed apprenticeship; two or more years of experience in the welding processes and materials of the role; ability to read fabrication drawings and to use tape measures, squares and gauges accurately.
Does a welder need to be certified?
For general fabrication, such as gates, frames and repairs, proven skill in a practical test is often enough. For structural steel, pressure equipment, pipelines or any work subject to inspection, a current qualification to the standard specified by the client or by regulation is normally mandatory.
What should a practical test for a welder include?
The same process, material, thickness and position as the real work. A simple joint from a drawing allows preparation, fit-up, welding and finish to be assessed. Where possible, the test piece should be sectioned or bent to check penetration, since a neat surface can hide a weak weld.
How much does it cost to advertise welder vacancies on Saplic?
Nothing. Posting the vacancy is free and no credit card is required. The recruitment system for organising the people who apply is free as well.