Job Description Welder

Oil, Gas & Petrochemical Industry

Expected Competencies

A successful Welder should be able to:

• Produce high-quality welds that meet international standards.
• Read and interpret engineering drawings and welding procedures.
• Work safely under strict refinery and petrochemical HSE requirements.
• Support maintenance, shutdown, and construction activities.
• Collaborate effectively with supervisors, inspectors, and maintenance teams.
• Deliver reliable workmanship that contributes to the safe and continuous operation of refinery and petrochemical facilities.

Position Information

Job Title: Welder

Department: Maintenance / Turnaround / Mechanical Maintenance

Industry: Oil, Gas & Petrochemical

Work Location: Refinery & Petrochemical Plant – Middle East Saudi Arabia

Reports To: Welding Supervisor / Mechanical Supervisor

Employment Type: Full-Time

Position Summary

The Welder is responsible for performing high-quality welding, fabrication, repair, and maintenance work on piping systems, pressure vessels, structural steel, storage tanks, and process equipment in accordance with approved welding procedures, engineering drawings, and international industry codes. The role requires strict compliance with Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) standards to ensure safe and reliable plant operations.

Key Responsibilities

Welding Operations

• Perform SMAW (Shielded Metal Arc Welding).
• Perform GTAW (TIG Welding).
• Perform GMAW (MIG Welding).
• Perform FCAW (Flux-Cored Arc Welding) where required.
• Carry out carbon steel, stainless steel, and alloy steel welding.
• Complete root pass, fill pass, and cap pass welding.
• Ensure welds comply with approved Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS).

Fabrication & Repair

• Repair damaged piping systems.
• Fabricate structural steel components.
• Repair pressure vessels.
• Repair storage tanks.
• Install supports and pipe spools.
• Perform field welding during shutdowns and maintenance activities.

Preparation Activities

• Read engineering drawings and isometric drawings.
• Prepare welding joints.
• Clean welding surfaces.
• Select proper welding electrodes or filler materials.
• Set welding parameters according to the WPS.
• Verify material identification before welding.

Inspection Support

• Perform visual inspection of completed welds.
• Correct welding defects as required.
• Support Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) activities.
• Cooperate with QA/QC Inspectors during inspections.
• Maintain welding quality documentation.

Maintenance Activities

• Participate in preventive maintenance.
• Support plant shutdowns and turnarounds.
• Assist emergency repair work.
• Maintain welding machines and tools in good condition.

Safety Responsibilities

The Welder shall:

• Follow Permit to Work (PTW) procedures.
• Comply with Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) requirements.
• Perform hot work only after authorization.
• Use proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Follow confined space entry procedures when applicable.
• Conduct fire watch activities when assigned.
• Inspect welding equipment before use.
• Report unsafe conditions immediately.
• Maintain good housekeeping in the work area.
• Follow all refinery and petrochemical HSE policies.

Required Technical Skills

Candidates should demonstrate knowledge of:

• SMAW Welding
• GTAW (TIG)
• GMAW (MIG)
• FCAW
• Pipe Welding
• Structural Welding
• Stainless Steel Welding
• Carbon Steel Welding
• Alloy Steel Welding
• Pipe Fabrication
• Welding Symbols
• WPS/PQR interpretation
• Welding consumables
• Grinding and cutting equipment
• Oxy-fuel cutting
• Plasma cutting
• Welding distortion control
• Basic metallurgy

Required Equipment Knowledge

Experience working with:

• Welding Machines
• TIG Welders
• MIG Welders
• SMAW Machines
• Gas Cutting Equipment
• Plasma Cutters
• Angle Grinders
• Magnetic Drills
• Pipe Beveling Machines
• Welding Positioners
• Measuring Instruments

Minimum Qualifications

• Technical Diploma or Vocational Certificate in Welding, Mechanical Technology, or a related trade.
• Valid Welder Qualification Test (WQT) or trade certification is preferred.

Preferred Certifications

• AWS Certified Welder
• ASME Section IX Welder Qualification
• CSWIP (where applicable)
• Hot Work Safety Training
• Confined Space Entry
• Working at Heights
• Basic Fire Fighting
• First Aid & CPR
• OSHA or equivalent safety training

Experience Requirements

• 3–8 years of welding experience in:
  • Oil Refineries
  • Petrochemical Plants
  • LNG Plants
  • Offshore Platforms
  • Power Plants
  • EPC Construction Projects

Experience with plant shutdowns and turnarounds is highly desirable.

Soft Skills

• Strong safety awareness
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Attention to detail
• Problem-solving
• Time management
• Adaptability
• Commitment to quality
• Ability to work under pressure

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in hot industrial environments.
• Ability to lift heavy materials safely.
• Ability to work at heights and in confined spaces.
• Ability to wear respiratory protection and flame-resistant PPE.
• Good vision and manual dexterity.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Weld quality acceptance rate.
• Rework percentage.
• Compliance with WPS and quality standards.
• Zero Lost Time Incidents (LTI).
• On-time completion of assigned work.
• Productivity during shutdowns and maintenance.
• Compliance with HSE procedures.
• Housekeeping and tool maintenance.

Working Environment

The Welder may work in:

• Refineries
• Petrochemical Plants
• Gas Processing Plants
• LNG Facilities
• Tank Farms
• Utility Areas
• Construction Sites
• Offshore Platforms
• Maintenance Workshops

Work may involve shift schedules, emergency call-outs, turnaround activities, and outdoor exposure to varying weather conditions.

Career Progression

A typical career path for a Welder in the Oil, Gas, and Petrochemical industry is:

1. Welder Apprentice
2. Welder
3. Senior Welder
4. Pipe Welder
5. Lead Welder
6. Welding Foreman
7. Welding Supervisor
8. Welding Inspector (with additional qualifications)
9. QA/QC Welding Inspector
10. Mechanical Maintenance Superintendent