Career Summary

Pressure vessel safety engineers install, maintain and repair boilers, vats, and other large containers that hold liquids and or gases. These containers supply steam to drive huge turbines in electric powerplants and to provide heat and power in buildings, factories, and ships. Tanks and vats are used to handle and store such things as chemicals, oil and beverages.

High-pressure containers are usually made in different parts, by casting each piece out of molten iron or steel. Than each section is than welded together, often using automated orbital welding machines, which make more reliable welds than are possible by hand.

Vessel safety engineers follow blueprints locating and marking reference points on the boiler foundation, using straightedges, squares, transits, and tape measures. They than attach rigging and signal crane operators to than lift the heavy frame and plate sections into place. They align sections and remove irregular edges, bolt or weld edges together and ensure the alignment to other parts and test complete containers for leaks or other defects. Vessel safety engineers also install refractory brick and other heat-resistant materials in fireboxes or pressure vessels and are employed as iron ship builders, blacksmiths and forgers.