Job Description: Welding Manager/CWI
Reports to: Operations Manager
Employment type: Non-Exempt

Position Overview:

This position is responsible for leading and managing all aspects of the company’s welding operations, with a strong focus on quality assurance, training, and continuous improvement. The Certified Weld Inspector plays a critical role in ensuring welds meet required specifications, while also developing and mentoring welding personnel to uphold high standards. This role works cross-functionally with production, engineering, and quality teams to troubleshoot issues, support audits, and drive process enhancements. A successful candidate will bring technical expertise, leadership, and a proactive mindset to support both compliance and operational excellence.

Operator Responsibilities:

  • Oversee and maintain the company’s welding program in compliance with applicable codes and standards (AWS, ASME, etc.).
  • Perform visual inspections, destructive, and non-destructive testing (NDT) to verify weld quality and conformance to specifications.
  • Lead welder training and certification programs; mentor and evaluate welders to ensure ongoing skill development and adherence to best practices.
  • Serve as the subject matter expert on welding quality and techniques, supporting production, engineering, and quality departments.
  • Continuous Improvement: Recommend and implement improvements to welding processes, equipment, and training programs for enhanced efficiency and quality.
  • Monitor welding processes and techniques to ensure consistency, repeatability, and compliance with internal and customer requirements.
  • Collaborate with Quality and Manufacturing teams to resolve weld-related non-conformances and implement corrective/preventive actions.
  • Support internal and external audits as the welding quality representative.
  • Quality Control: Use precision measurement devices such as calipers, micrometers, and gauges to monitor the production process to verify that products meet the required dimensions and tolerances. Make necessary adjustments to machine settings if deviations are detected.
  • Safety and Compliance: Adhere to all safety protocols and guidelines while welding and on the production floor. Maintain a clean and organized work area to minimize safety hazards.
  • Problem Solving: Troubleshoot any issues that arise during the welding process, such as machine malfunctions or irregularities in the welding process. Collaborate with supervisors and maintenance personnel to resolve problems promptly.
  • Fixture Maintenance: Maintain and inspect welding fixtures for wear, damage, and proper alignment. Replace or adjust fixtures as needed to maintain the quality and accuracy of welds.
  • Documentation: Maintain accurate records of production output, scrap, and any issues encountered during the welding process. Provide feedback to supervisors and engineering teams for process improvement.
  • Other duties as assigned by management.

Qualifications:

  • AWS Certified Weld Inspector (CWI) credential required. 
  • Minimum 5 years of welding experience, including hands-on welding, inspection, and training responsibilities.
  • MIG and TIG welding certificates.
  • Strong understanding of engineering drawings, blueprints, and geometric tolerances.
  • Ability to perform accurate measurements using various tools such as calipers, micrometers, and gauges.
  • Excellent problem-solving skills and a keen attention to detail.
  • Effective communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively within a team.
  • Prioritization skills to manage multiple tasks and meet production deadlines.
  • Adherence to safety protocols and a commitment to maintaining a safe working environment.

Travel Requirements: 

This position is expected to support welding programs and personnel at other company locations, which will require overnight travel. While the goal is for this travel to occur once quarterly, actual frequency may vary based on business needs and could occasionally be more frequent. 

(ADA) Minimum Qualifications or Standards Required to Perform Essential Job Functions:

  • Interpersonal Communication: Requires the ability to speak and/or signal people to convey or exchange information related to job duties.
  • Language Ability: Requires speaking with and before others with poise, voice control, and confidence using correct English and a well-modulated voice.
  • Intelligence: Requires the ability to learn and understand relatively complex principles and techniques related to administrative and clerical duties; to make independent judgments without supervision; to acquire knowledge of topics related to primary occupation.
  • Verbal Aptitude: The ability to record and deliver information, explain procedures, and follow oral and written instructions.
  • Numerical Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas; add, subtract, multiply, and divide figures. 
  • Physical Communication: Requires the ability to talk and/or hear: talking, expressing, or exchanging ideas through spoken words. (Hearing – perceiving nature of sounds by ear)
  • Physical lifting and movement: Ability to walk or stand 8-12 hours a day. Ability to lift, push, pull or move 50 pounds. On occasion the incumbent may be required to stoop, bend or reach above the shoulders. Manual dexterity for precise adjustments and handling of components.