Staff Welding Engineer
$166,000–$220,000 year
On-siteSanta Ana, California, United States
Job Summary
Develop, qualify, and maintain Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS), Procedure Qualification Records (PQR), and Welder Performance Qualifications (WPQ) for Maritime production tooling and fixtures. Ensure all welding operations meet applicable codes and standards (AWS, ASME Section IX, MIL-STD, NAVSEA) while leading root-cause analysis on weld defects across FCAW, GMAW, GTAW, and SAW processes. Specify appropriate base metals and techniques for thin-wall aluminum, stainless steel, titanium, and carbon steel, and direct non-destructive testing (UT, RT, MT, PT, VT) to validate weld quality. Optimize welding parameters and fixturing to improve throughput and cost, providing hands-on technical guidance to Tooling Fabricators and welders while driving continuous improvement initiatives. Requires 10+ years of welding engineering experience, proficiency with defense standards, and eligibility for a U.S. Secret security clearance.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Welding Engineering, Materials/Metallurgical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field—OR an equivalent combination of education and 7+ years of hands-on welding engineering experience
- 10+ years of welding engineering experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment
- 10+ years of experience developing and qualifying WPS, PQR, and WPQ documentation
- Strong working knowledge of welding processes: FCAW, GMAW, GTAW, and SAW
- Proficiency with welding codes and standards (e.g., AWS D1.1 / D1.2 / D1.6, ASME Section IX)
- Experience reading and interpreting engineering drawings, specifications, schematics, and diagrams
- Working knowledge of NDT methods (UT, RT, MT, PT, VT) and weld inspection criteria
- Strong root-cause analysis and problem-solving skills, with strong attention to detail and a commitment to safety
- Ability to lift, push, and pull up to 35 pounds frequently within an 8-hour shift
- Must be eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance
Desired Qualifications
- AWS Certified Welding Engineer (CWEng) or Certified Welding Inspector (CWI)
- Experience qualifying procedures for thin-wall aluminum, stainless steel, and titanium
- Familiarity with defense/maritime standards (MIL-STD-1689, NAVSEA S9074-AQ-GIB-010/248)
- Experience in a defense, aerospace, or maritime manufacturing environment
- Experience with robotic or automated welding systems
- Lean / Six Sigma certification and experience leading continuous improvement initiatives
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