Welding Engineer

Certified Welding Engineer (CWE)

Saronic Technologies is a leader in revolutionizing autonomy at sea, dedicated to developing state-of-the-art solutions that enhance maritime operations through autonomous and intelligent platforms.

We are seeking a Certified Welding Engineer (CWE) with strong experience in aluminum shipbuilding and mixed-alloy marine systems to support our Gulf Coast shipyard operations. This role will oversee welding engineering activities across our production lines, including aluminum hulls and superstructures, aluminum piping, copper-nickel piping, carbon steel, and stainless steel fabrication.

The Welding Engineer is essential in ensuring robust welding processes and facilitating the scaling of welding processes and equipment. This role is responsible for researching, validating, and integrating new and advanced welding equipment and processes seamlessly into the shipyard's capabilities, supporting the transition from low-rate to high-volume production, and spearheading the adoption of new automated welding assets and software enhancements.

Welding Engineers at Saronic-Franklin are expected to have the knowledge, skill, and ability to accomplish the below:

Key Responsibilities

· Develop and qualify WPS/PQRs for aluminum (5xxx/6xxx series), CuNi piping, carbon steel, and stainless steel applications

· Provide hands-on technical support to production teams working with GMAW (MIG), FCAW, GTAW (TIG), and SMAW processes

· Oversee welding of marine piping systems, including copper-nickel (CuNi 90/10, 70/30), ensuring corrosion resistance and proper procedures

· Address distortion control and heat input challenges specific to aluminum structures

· Support inspection and QA teams with weld acceptance criteria and NDT methods (UT, RT, MT, PT)

· Troubleshoot weld discontinuities across dissimilar metals and varied environments

· Coordinate with engineering, planning, and production to improve weld efficiency and reduce rework

· Maintain documentation for ABS/classification society and customer audits

· Train and mentor welders on aluminum techniques, cleanliness standards, and alloy-specific procedures

Technical Knowledge

· Can develop technical reports in support of management presentation, procurement decisions, process improvement, research and development and preventive maintenance investigations

· Ability to operate or learn how to operate welding equipment, including the latest automation technology

· Ability to train others on how to use welding equipment.

· Understands welding equipment maintenance requirements and can develop a maintenance plan in conjunction with production engineering team.

· Can identify emerging needs on the manufacturing floor re: welding

· Can identify weak/strong spots in welding equipment and personnel and work with production engineering team to increase efficiency.

· Ensure strict adherence to paperwork and requirements for quality and compliance

· Can work directly with software engineering team on buildout of shipyard/production management system

· Read, interpret, and follow blueprints and sketches to understand the specifications of a project

· Ability to categorize and quantify weld defects

· Proficiency with applicable codes and standards (e.g., AWS D1.2 for aluminum, AWS D1.1 for steel, ASME Section IX, ABS rules)

Job Proficiency

· Updates and develops PQR's, WPS's, techniques, training programs, and the application of welding equipment

· Establishes welding procedures to guide production and welding personnel relating to specification restrictions, material processes, and pre- and post-heating requirements

· Ensures that the welding processes and sequences are documented in the building method and the welding teams are following the description

· Conducts research and development for continuous improvement

· Understands and implements applicable QA processes in accordance with the Quality Policy

· Checks the effectiveness of our welding equipment, welding consumables, and recommends alternative selections in case of problems or special welding conditions

· Evaluates new developments in welding field for possible application to current welding problems or production processes, and takes corrective action to remedy non-conformances

· Directs and coordinates technical personnel in performing inspections to ensure workers' compliance with established welding procedures, restrictions and standards; in testing welds for conformance with national code requirements; or testing welding personnel for certification

· Maintains welder performance training record log to record all training given to the welder

· Perform other related duties as required and assigned

Culture and Collaboration

· Follow all shipyard safety policies, including proper use of PPE, fire prevention, and confined space protocols

· Assist in the training and development of the welding team and supervision

· Collaborate and communicate with welders, metal fitters, pipefitters, electricians, and other trades as required to complete vessel construction or repair and to maintain efficient work flows

· Work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced ship production environment

· Maintain a clean and safe work area

· Maintain a positive attitude toward customers and represent Saronic professionally

· Make a personal commitment and be accountable for HSE results, driving toward the achievement of defined goals

Required Qualifications

· Certification as a Certified Welding Engineer (CWE) through American Welding Society

· Bachelor's degree in Welding Engineering, Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field

· 5+ years of relevant experience in shipbuilding, offshore fabrication, or heavy industry

· Demonstrated expertise in aluminum welding and distortion mitigation

· Experience with copper-nickel systems, including marine service applications

· Strong working knowledge of carbon steel and stainless steel welding procedures

· Experience with NDT methods and weld inspection requirements

· Ability to work in a fast-paced, production-driven shipyard environment

· 5 years of practical experience and knowledge in basic welding processes; FCAW, SMAW, SAW, EGW, GTAW, GMAW

· Experienced in AWS D1.1, ABS & Mil Std 248 codes

Preferred Qualifications

· Prior experience in a Louisiana Gulf Coast shipyard or similar marine environment

· Experience with dissimilar metal welding and transition joints

· Leadership or supervisory experience in welding operations

· Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma background

· Bachelors or Masters in Welding Engineering or related discipline

· NDE Level 2 experience is preferred