The Senior Welding Engineer leads the welding engineering function on large-scale fabrication, construction, or maintenance projects. This role involves developing and approving complex welding procedures, ensuring compliance with applicable codes and client specifications, leading quality improvement initiatives, and managing welder qualification programs. The Senior Welding Engineer serves as a subject matter expert, interfacing with multidisciplinary teams, third-party inspectors, and clients.
Technical Leadership:
Lead the development, qualification, and approval of Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS), Procedure Qualification Records (PQR), and Welder Performance Qualifications (WPQ).
Provide advanced troubleshooting for welding-related issues, including metallurgical failures and quality deviations.
Code Compliance & QA/QC Oversight:
Ensure strict adherence to relevant codes and standards (e.g., ASME Section IX, B31.3, AWS D1.1, API 1104, ISO 3834, IACS).
Lead welding audits and inspections, support internal/external QA/QC teams, and interface with third-party certifying agencies.
Project Execution & Support:
Develop welding strategies for fabrication and erection phases aligned with project timelines and quality requirements.
Ensure all welding activities comply with project specifications, safety requirements, and environmental controls.
Welder Qualification & Training:
Manage welder qualification programs and conduct performance evaluations.
Organize welder training and improvement initiatives in collaboration with training departments or third-party providers.
Documentation & Records Management:
Oversee generation and control of welding documentation, including weld maps, repair logs, inspection reports, NCRs, and final dossiers.
Review radiographic films, ultrasonic test reports, and other NDT outcomes for technical acceptability.
Continuous Improvement & Innovation:
Evaluate new welding technologies, consumables, and automation techniques for performance and cost benefits.
Drive welding-related productivity and quality improvement initiatives across teams and sites.
Stakeholder Engagement:
Serve as the primary technical contact for client representatives, auditors, and certifying authorities regarding welding activities.
Provide leadership and mentoring to junior welding engineers and inspectors.
Welding Strategy & Quality Control: Leading welding execution plans across complex projects.
Compliance & Standards Enforcement: Ensuring adherence to international and project-specific welding codes.
Team Leadership: Supervising welders, engineers, inspectors, and QA/QC personnel.
Risk Management: Mitigating welding-related risks such as failure, rework, and safety non-compliance.
Innovation: Introducing and implementing advanced welding processes and techniques.
Extensive knowledge of welding processes (SMAW, GTAW, GMAW, FCAW, SAW, orbital welding, cladding, etc.).
Deep understanding of welding metallurgy, heat-affected zones, dissimilar metal welding, and corrosion mechanisms.
Proficient in interpreting NDT results and failure analysis reports.
Expert-level understanding of ASME Section IX, API 1104, AWS D1.1, ISO 9606, IBR (India), and client-specific standards.
Strong leadership, team coordination, and mentoring skills.
Effective communicator capable of articulating technical issues to clients, management, and multidisciplinary teams.
Proficient in managing welding records, documentation, NCR resolution, and final quality dossiers.
Experience with welding software tools and databases (e.g., weld tracking systems, digital RT platforms).
Education: B.E./B.Tech in Mechanical, Metallurgical, or Welding Engineering (Master’s Degree preferred).
Certifications:
CSWIP 3.2 or AWS CWI (Senior Level)
ASNT Level II (UT, RT, PT, MT) – Preferred
ISO 3834 or IWE (International Welding Engineer) – Advantageous
Experience: 10+ years in welding engineering and QA/QC roles, with at least 5 years in a senior or lead capacity within oil & gas, petrochemical, power, offshore, or heavy engineering projects.