TIG Welder (GTAW) jobs in the United Kingdom
Precision TIG roles where finish quality matters: stainless, thin gauge, clean edges, disciplined heat control.
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.
Confirm material and thickness, choose tungsten/filler, set gas flow, and prepare joints (clean, square, consistent gap).
Control heat input, minimise distortion, avoid contamination, and keep a neat bead that passes visual checks without “hiding” defects.
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
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
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)
Use the CV page. No CV = no screening, because UK clients need a consistent format.
We check material/thickness, recent work context, drawing reading, and likely test readiness.
If suitable demand exists, we submit your profile and guide you on next steps (test, start date, documents).
FAQ (varies by page to avoid “template footprints”)
Do I need an English CV?
What TIG test is most common?
Can sponsorship be available?
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