Welding Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary

The Welding Engineer is the technical authority for all welding operations at Ameritex. This position is responsible for developing world-class welding processes, ensuring compliance with applicable codes, improving productivity, reducing rework, qualifying personnel, and driving continuous improvement across all fabrication operations.

This role works closely with Engineering, Production, Quality, Manufacturing Engineering, and Maintenance to ensure weldments consistently meet customer requirements while maximizing throughput, repeatability, and profitability.

The successful candidate will combine strong technical expertise with hands-on manufacturing experience and a passion for improving welding performance throughout the organization.

Minimum Qualifications

• Current AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) certification (Required)
• Bachelor's degree in Welding Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, or equivalent experience preferred
• Minimum 5 years of welding engineering experience in heavy fabrication, industrial equipment, structural steel, pressure equipment, power generation, or similar manufacturing environment
• Demonstrated experience developing and qualifying welding procedures
• Extensive knowledge of:
  • GMAW (Short Circuit, Spray Transfer, Pulsed Spray)
  • FCAW
  • GTAW
• Experience welding:
  • Carbon Steel
  • Stainless Steel (304, 316)
  • Aluminum (5052, 6061)
• Experience with sheet metal, structural steel, tubing, tanks, and heavy fabricated assemblies
• Thorough understanding of:
  • AWS D1.1
  • AWS D1.2
  • AWS D1.3
  • AWS D1.6
• Strong understanding of welding metallurgy, distortion control, heat input, weld sequencing, and joint design
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite with strong Excel skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Primary Responsibilities

Welding Engineering

• Develop, qualify, and maintain Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS), Procedure Qualification Records (PQR), and supporting documentation.
• Develop standardized welding practices that improve consistency across all production departments.
• Establish best practices for weld sequencing, joint preparation, fixturing, distortion control, and heat management.
• Support Design Engineering during product development to improve manufacturability and reduce welding cost.
• Evaluate new welding technologies, equipment, filler metals, shielding gases, and automation opportunities.
• Lead root cause investigations for weld-related quality issues and implement permanent corrective actions.
• Develop welding standards that improve throughput while maintaining code compliance.

Welder Qualification & Training

• Administer welder qualification testing in accordance with applicable AWS codes.
• Maintain all welder qualification records and continuity documentation.
• Supervise and conduct:
  • Bend testing
  • Fillet break testing
  • Macro etch testing
  • Tensile testing
  • Visual inspection
  • NDT coordination
• Evaluate and qualify prospective welders during the hiring process.
• Lead and continuously improve Ameritex's internal welding training program.
• Mentor welders to improve technique, productivity, and workmanship.

Production Support

• Serve as the primary welding technical resource for Production, Engineering, and Quality.
• Troubleshoot weld defects, production bottlenecks, and process variability.
• Assist production teams with challenging fabrication projects and customer-specific requirements.
• Support implementation of new products into manufacturing.
• Participate in daily production meetings as required.
• Provide technical recommendations that improve safety, efficiency, and quality.

Quality & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all applicable AWS welding codes and customer specifications.
• Maintain complete traceability of welding procedures and qualification records.
• Support internal, customer, UL, ISO, and third-party audits.
• Develop welding inspection criteria and acceptance standards.
• Monitor welding process performance and recommend improvements using measurable data.

Continuous Improvement

• Reduce welding-related rework and repair costs through process optimization.
• Improve arc-on time and overall welding productivity.
• Standardize weld symbols, joint details, filler metal usage, and welding consumables where practical.
• Identify opportunities for robotic welding, mechanization, and fixture improvements.
• Develop KPIs related to welding quality, efficiency, welder performance, and first-pass yield.
• Drive Lean Manufacturing initiatives within welding operations.

Success Metrics

Performance in this role will be measured by:

• Reduction in welding rework and repair hours
• Improvement in first-pass weld quality
• Weld procedure standardization across product families
• Welder qualification completion and continuity compliance
• Reduction in welding-related NCRs and customer quality issues
• Productivity improvements through process optimization
• Successful implementation of new welding technologies and best practices
• Audit readiness and compliance with applicable welding codes

Ameritex Expectations

The Welding Engineer is expected to be a visible leader on the production floor. This is not solely an office-based engineering role. Success requires daily interaction with welders, supervisors, engineers, and quality personnel to solve problems, improve processes, and continually raise the technical capability of Ameritex.

The ideal candidate takes ownership of welding excellence, embraces continuous improvement, and actively develops both people and processes to help Ameritex remain a best-in-class manufacturer of industrial enclosures, switchgear, tanks, power generation equipment, and fabricated steel structures.

Ameritex Machine and Fabrication, established in 2004, is unmatched in the metal fabrication industry. Our exceptional service speaks for itself through our rapid expansion built solely on word-of-mouth advertising. We are here when you need us and will do everything in our power to meet your deadlines.

We have built a team of personnel that is continuously improving what they do every day so that our customers can reap the rewards. Safety, Quality, and Delivery goals are always changing to keep us moving forward while selfless dedication to getting the job done makes us stand out in any crowd.

Company Description

Ameritex Machine and Fabrication, established in 2004, is unmatched in the metal fabrication industry. Our exceptional service speaks for itself through our rapid expansion built solely on word-of-mouth advertising. We are here when you need us and will do everything in our power to meet your deadlines.\n\nWe have built a team of personnel that is continuously improving what they do every day so that our customers can reap the rewards. Safety, Quality, and Delivery goals are always changing to keep us moving forward while selfless dedication to getting the job done makes us stand out in any crowd.