* * * DIRECT Hire Only. No Recruiters. No Phone Calls * * *Job Title: Certified Weld Inspector/Instructor (CWI) / Certified Weld Engineer
Job Type: Full-time, Day Shift
Location: Schaumburg, IL
- This position requires ITAR compliance and may involve access to technical data controlled under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Sponsorship is not available now nor in the future.
- Applicants must be U.S. Persons as defined by ITAR.
Key Responsibilities:The Certified Weld Inspector (CWI) / Instructor / Weld Engineer is responsible for ensuring all welded products meet customer specifications, applicable codes, and company quality standards while developing and improving the welding skills of production employees. This role combines technical inspection expertise with hands-on training, mentoring, and continuous improvement initiatives to support safe, high-quality, and efficient manufacturing operations.
Weld Inspection & Quality
- Perform visual weld inspections in accordance with applicable AWS, customer, and internal quality standards.
- Interpret welding symbols, engineering drawings, specifications, and applicable welding codes to ensure travelers, work instructions and jobs are scoped and set-up appropriately.
- Verify compliance with approved Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS), Procedure Qualification Records (PQR), and Welder Performance Qualifications (WPQ).
- Identify welding defects, determine root causes, and recommend corrective actions.
- Document inspection findings and maintain accurate inspection records.
- Support internal, customer, and third-party quality audits.
- Collaborate with Engineering, Quality, and Production teams to resolve weld-related quality issues.
- Assist in dispositioning nonconforming material and implementing corrective actions.
- Monitor welding processes to ensure consistent quality and process capability.
Training & Instruction
- Develop and deliver hands-on welding training for new hires and existing employees.
- Evaluate welder proficiency and provide coaching to improve technique, quality, and productivity.
- Conduct welder qualification testing and maintain qualification records.
- Develop training materials, work instructions, and welding best practices.
- Identify skill gaps and recommend development plans for welders.
- Promote proper welding techniques, safety practices, and equipment care.
- Serve as a technical resource for supervisors and production employees.
Lean & Continuous Improvement
- Develop, qualify, and maintain welding procedures (WPS/PQR) in accordance with applicable codes and standards (AWS, ASME, API, ISO, etc.).
- Design and optimize welding processes to improve quality, efficiency, and cost.
- Support Lean Manufacturing initiatives focused on improving welding quality and efficiency.
- Analyze weld defects and quality trends to reduce scrap and rework.
- Recommend improvements to fixtures, processes, consumables, and equipment.
- Participate in new product launches and process validations involving welding operations.
- Assist with continuous improvement projects related to welding operations and quality systems.
Qualifications- High school diploma or GED preferred.
- REQUIRED: Current AWS Certified Weld Inspector (CWI) certification.
- REQUIRED: Ability to execute and train on 6G Welds
- Preferred: Certified Welding Engineer (CWE)
- Minimum of 5 years of welding experience in a manufacturing environment.
- Strong knowledge of AWS welding codes and standards.
- Experience interpreting blueprints, welding symbols, and engineering drawings.
- Knowledge of welding processes including MIG, TIG, FCAW, and GMAW (as applicable).
- Experience with welding codes and standards (AWS D1.1, ASME Section IX, API, ISO, etc.).
Skills- Strong communication, coaching, and interpersonal skills.
- Proficiency using standard inspection tools and measuring equipment.
- Ability to prepare accurate inspection reports and training documentation.
- Strong understanding of welding metallurgy and fabrication processes.
- Excellent attention to detail.
- Ability to identify and troubleshoot welding defects.
- Effective presentation and classroom instruction skills.
- Strong organizational and documentation abilities.
- Ability to work collaboratively across departments.
- Ability to prioritize multiple projects in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Commitment to workplace safety and continuous improvement.
Experience:- Previous experience training or instructing welders.
- Experience in a metal fabrication or contract manufacturing environment.
- Familiarity with ISO 9001 quality management systems.
- Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles.
- Additional certifications such as Certified Welding Educator (CWE) or NDE certifications are a plus.
- Experience with robot automation is not required but it is preferred.
- Experience in welding fixturing, welding work sequencing and development/coaching of top welding attributes (i.e. heat transfer, back-gassing, heat mitigation methodologies, machine optimization for weld penetration with different materials and thickness.
Physical Requirements- Ability to stand and walk for the duration of a 10-hour shift.
- Frequently lift, carry, push, or pull materials weighing up to 50 pounds.
- Frequently bend, twist, reach, stoop, and grasp.
- Manual dexterity sufficient to operate machinery and measuring equipment.
- Ability to work in a manufacturing environment with exposure to moving machinery, noise, and varying temperatures.
- Must wear required personal protective equipment (PPE).
Working Conditions- Manufacturing production environment.
- Regular exposure to machinery, metal materials, and industrial noise.
- Overtime and occasional weekend work may be required to meet production demands.
Pay: $85,000/year - $95,000/year
Location Requirement: Schaumburg, IL
Benefits:- Retirement plan 401(k) with 401(k) match
- Healthcare, Dental & Vision insurance
- Flexible spending account or Health savings account option
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Professional development assistance
- Referral program
