Welding Process Engineer

POSITION SUMMARY: The Welding Process Engineer is a forward-thinking position, driving continuous improvement and technological advancement in our aluminum and steel shipbuilding operations. This role focuses on enhancing welding process capability and capacity, implementing automation, and optimizing production efficiency. The Welding Process Engineer will work closely with our Certified Welding Inspector (CWI), who leads WPS, PQR, and inspection activities, to ensure alignment between process development and quality assurance. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: 1. Analyze and improve welding process capability and throughput across aluminum, steel, stainless steel, and copper-nickel fabrication and welding areas. 2. Identify and implement opportunities for automation, robotics, and advanced welding technologies to increase efficiency and consistency. 3. Apply deep knowledge of welding metallurgy and materials science to understand and optimize weld behavior in both the weld metal and heat-affected zones of base materials. 4. Design and manage welding sequences to align with production stages and different vessel types. Coordinate across teams to ensure sequences meet structural and scheduling needs. 5. Document sequences visually for clarity and accessibility on the production floor. 6. Investigate and manage the interactions between welding gases, filler materials, and base metals to enhance weld quality, reduce defects, and improve vessel reliability and production efficiency. 7. Collaborate with the Certified Welding Inspector to ensure process improvements align with ABS and AWS standards and inspection requirements. 8. Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions for process-related welding issues, focusing on systemic improvements. 9. Collaborate with Quality and other Department staff to develop and maintain process documentation, including standard work instructions and process control plans 10. Evaluate new equipment, tools, and materials to support innovation in welding and fabrication. 11. Support lean manufacturing initiatives and continuous improvement projects across the production floor. 12. Monitor and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) related to welding productivity, quality, and cost. 13. Develop and qualify Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS) in accordance with applicable codes and standards to ensure consistent weld quality and compliance. 14. Provide training and technical support to welders, promoting best practices, proper techniques, and the adoption of new welding technologies. 15. Oversee weld inspections and coordinate nondestructive testing (NDT) activities to verify weld integrity and ensure compliance with quality standards. 16. Analyze welding-related costs and contribute to budgeting efforts, identifying opportunities for cost reduction and process efficiency. 17. Lead cross-functional engineering projects, including Design for Manufacturability (DFM) initiatives and new product…