Job Summary: The Welding Engineer is responsible for leading the development, qualification, and continuous improvement of welding processes across Apache Stainless Equipment Corporation. This role provides technical expertise in welding engineering to support high-quality fabrication of pressure vessels, food processing equipment, and custom stainless assemblies. The Welding Engineer works closely with engineering, quality, and production teams to ensure compliance with applicable codes and standards while advancing welding technologies, procedures, and automation initiatives. Reporting to the VP of Innovation, this position plays a key role in driving innovation, standardization, and operational excellence in welding practices.
Duties and Responsibilities:- Welding Process Development: Develop, qualify, and optimize welding procedures (WPS/PQR) to ensure repeatable, high-quality welds across a variety of materials and applications.
- Code Compliance: Ensure all welding activities comply with applicable codes and standards (e.g., ASME Section IX, AWS, PED as applicable).
- Procedure Qualification: Lead procedure and welder qualifications, maintain supporting documentation, and support audits and certifications.
- Technical Expertise: Serve as the subject matter expert for welding processes, metallurgy, and weld quality troubleshooting.
- Process Improvement: Drive continuous improvement initiatives in welding efficiency, cost reduction, and defect reduction using Lean and Six Sigma principles.
- Automation & Innovation: Evaluate and implement advanced welding technologies, including robotic welding, orbital welding, and automated systems.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with design engineering, quality, and production teams to ensure weldment designs are manufacturable and meet performance requirements.
- Training & Development: Provide training, guidance, and technical support to welders, supervisors, and engineers to improve skill levels and consistency.
- Welding Standards & Documentation: Develop and maintain welding standards, work instructions, and best practices across the organization.
- Quality Support: Partner with Quality to investigate weld non-conformances, implement corrective actions, and support root cause analysis efforts.
- Capital Projects: Develop and justify capital investments related to welding equipment, tooling, and technology enhancements.
- Vendor & Supplier Support: Collaborate with consumable and equipment suppliers to evaluate new materials, processes, and technologies.
Qualifications:- Bachelor's degree in Welding Engineering, Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field preferred.
- 7+ years of experience in welding engineering within a manufacturing or fabrication environment, preferably stainless steel or pressure vessel fabrication.
- Strong knowledge of ASME Section IX, AWS codes, and welding procedure qualification requirements.
- Proven experience developing and qualifying WPS/PQRs and supporting welder certifications.
- Experience with GTAW (TIG), GMAW (MIG), and other relevant welding processes for stainless steel fabrication.
- Experience with automated or robotic welding systems preferred.
- Strong understanding of metallurgy, weld distortion, and weld defect analysis.
- Demonstrated ability to lead technical projects and influence cross-functional teams.
- Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills.
- Familiarity with ERP systems and documentation control processes is a plus.
The Welding Engineer is responsible for leading the development, qualification, and continuous improvement of welding processes across Apache Stainless Equipment Corporation. This role provides technical expertise in welding engineering to support high-quality fabrication of pressure vessels, food processing equipment, and custom stainless assemblies. The Welding Engineer works closely with engineering, quality, and production teams to ensure compliance with applicable codes and standards while advancing welding technologies, procedures, and automation initiatives. Reporting to the VP of Innovation, this position plays a key role in driving innovation, standardization, and operational excellence in welding practices.
