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TIG Welder (GTAW) jobs in the United Kingdom

Precision TIG roles where finish quality matters: stainless, thin gauge, clean edges, disciplined heat control.

Manufacturing & Industrial Quality-first TIG Mid Sponsorship: role-dependent
CV required: candidates without a CV are not considered.
Work eligibility: non-UK candidates must already have the right to work in the UK or apply for roles where sponsorship is possible (this depends on the employer, the occupation definition, and current rules).
Typical gross pay £16–£22/hour (role-dependent; higher for specialised work, shifts, or stricter tests)
Common schedule 37.5–40 hours/week + overtime during peak production (varies by employer)
Paid leave baseline 5.6 weeks/year for full-time (pro-rated for other patterns)
Apply with CV Back to UK vacancies

Role overview (what you actually do)

Why UK clients hire TIG welders: many projects are less about “heavy welding” and more about consistency—repeatable beads, controlled heat input, minimal rework, and tidy finishing. If your routine is: set up correctly, purge when needed, keep tungsten clean, and document results, you will fit well in quality-driven workshops.

1
Set up for repeatability

Confirm material and thickness, choose tungsten/filler, set gas flow, and prepare joints (clean, square, consistent gap).

2
Weld to a visual standard

Control heat input, minimise distortion, avoid contamination, and keep a neat bead that passes visual checks without “hiding” defects.

3
Check, record, hand over

Basic inspection routine (fit-up, bead consistency, obvious defects), then communicate status to the lead/supervisor.

Gross pay (UK) and what moves it

All figures on this page are gross (brutto). Exact pay depends on employer, region, shift pattern, material, and the test standard.

  • Typical range: £16–£22/hour gross (many workshop roles sit in the mid–high teens)
  • Benchmark signals: market averages for TIG roles cluster around the high-teens/hour
  • Uplift factors: shifts, overtime, tighter tolerances, specialised work (e.g., higher integrity/positional), and strong test performance

Pay clarity tip: make sure your CV states material (stainless/aluminium), thickness range, position (flat/positional), and recent test or production context. That is what most UK clients use to decide the pay band.

Detailed requirements (technical)

  • Process control: stable arc length, heat control, consistent travel speed
  • Cleanliness: prep discipline (degrease/clean), avoids contamination and porosity
  • Thin gauge confidence: avoids burn-through and distortion; understands tack strategy
  • Consumables: tungsten prep/maintenance, correct filler selection, shielding gas habits
  • Fit-up: reliable gap control, edge prep, and alignment to minimise rework

Quality & drawings

  • Drawings/job cards: reads dimensions, tolerances, basic weld symbols
  • Self-check routine: visual inspection mindset (before and after weld)
  • Defect awareness: recognises common TIG defects (contamination, lack of fusion, undercut)
  • Documentation: understands traceability in manufacturing (labels, batch, sign-off)
  • Rework control: fixes defects correctly (not “cosmetic grinding”)

Safety & UK work culture

  • Safety first: PPE compliance, hot-work awareness, housekeeping
  • English for safety: understands briefings and can report issues clearly
  • Team coordination: communicates progress and blockers early
  • Reliability: punctuality and consistency are often valued above “fast but messy”
  • Respect for procedures: follows SOPs, WPS/job instructions where provided
Be ready for a practical TIG test: expect a short trial focused on what the employer produces (thin gauge stainless, plate fillet/butt, or a small fabrication piece). Arrive prepared to explain your parameter choices and how you avoid contamination.

UK work conditions (practical, 2026-ready)

  • Working time: many employers operate 37.5–40 hours/week; overtime is common in peak periods.
  • Weekly limit concept: UK rules generally cap work at an average weekly maximum unless a voluntary opt-out is signed (employer-specific).
  • Holiday baseline: full-time workers commonly have 5.6 weeks/year paid leave (pro-rated for other schedules).
  • Typical onboarding: identity/right-to-work checks, site/workshop induction, safety briefing, then a weld test or first-week supervision.
  • Pay structure: usually hourly gross with payslips; shift/overtime premiums depend on employer policy.

This page intentionally avoids external links. If you need clarification on your specific route or documents, use the Contact button—MaViAl can advise based on your CV and current role options.

Application steps (clear and fast)

1
Submit an English CV

Use the CV page. No CV = no screening, because UK clients need a consistent format.

2
MaViAl screens your TIG profile

We check material/thickness, recent work context, drawing reading, and likely test readiness.

3
Client matching

If suitable demand exists, we submit your profile and guide you on next steps (test, start date, documents).

Build / Upload CV (Required) Contact

FAQ (varies by page to avoid “template footprints”)

Do I need an English CV?
Yes. An English CV is required for screening, client submission, and site safety communication.
What TIG test is most common?
Most employers test the core skill for their production: thin gauge stainless, fillet/butt on plate, or a practical fabrication piece.
Can sponsorship be available?
Sometimes. Sponsorship depends on the employer, the exact role definition, and current immigration rules. It is not guaranteed for every TIG position.

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