Lead Welding Engineer

Target Engineering Construction Co LLC; Abu Dhabi Emirate; On-site; AED 420,000 - 600,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and benefits

Professional growth opportunities

Career progression

Supportive work environment

Job summary

Target Engineering Construction Co LLC in the United Arab Emirates seeks a Lead Welding Engineer to lead welding engineering, qualification, inspection, and QA across Oil & Gas EPC projects. This senior role ensures compliance with ASME, AWS, API, and ISO standards while delivering high-quality welding outcomes.

The incumbent will mentor welding engineers and inspectors, coordinate with Engineering, Construction, and Procurement teams, and drive continuous improvement in welding processes,

Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years of experience in welding engineering, inspection, quality control, and fabrication within Oil & Gas EPC projects.
• Experience on large-scale EPC projects in the Middle East.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement project welding strategies and qualification plans.
• Establish WPS/PQR qualification matrices based on project MTOs and scope requirements.
• Coordinate with Engineering, Construction, and Procurement teams to ensure timely procurement of materials required for welding qualifications.
• Review manpower and welding equipment deployment plans to support project schedules.
• Ensure availability of qualified welders, welding procedures, consumables, and equipment throughout project execution.
• Develop, qualify, and maintain PQRs and WPSs; ensure compliance with international codes and standards.
• Manage timely submission and client approval of welding procedures.
• Oversee welder qualification, certification, renewal, and competency assessments.

Skills

Welding procedure qualification

NDT coordination & review

Welding metallurgy

Quality management systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Metallurgical Engineering

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Lead Welding Engineer to lead and oversee all welding engineering, qualification, inspection, and quality assurance activities across major Oil & Gas EPC projects. This is a senior technical leadership role responsible for ensuring all welding operations, procedures, qualifications, and inspections comply with international codes, project specifications, client requirements, and safety regulations.

The successful candidate will provide technical leadership for piping, pipeline, tank, structural steel, power, industrial, marine, and civil construction projects while ensuring the highest standards of welding quality, productivity, and compliance.

YOUR ROLE

As Lead Welding Engineer, you will be responsible in the performance of the following but not limited to duties and responsibilities;

• Develop and implement project welding strategies and qualification plans.
• Establish WPS/PQR qualification matrices based on project MTOs and scope requirements.
• Coordinate with Engineering, Construction, and Procurement teams to ensure timely procurement of materials required for welding qualifications.
• Review manpower and welding equipment deployment plans to support project schedules.
• Ensure availability of qualified welders, welding procedures, consumables, and equipment throughout project execution.

Welding Procedure Qualification & Certification

• Develop, qualify, and maintain Procedure Qualification Records (PQRs) and Welding Procedure Specifications (WPSs).
• Ensure compliance with applicable international codes and standards including ASME, AWS, API, and ISO requirements.
• Manage timely submission and client approval of welding procedures.
• Oversee welder qualification, certification, renewal, and competency assessments.
• Support contractor and subcontractor welding qualification activities across multiple disciplines.

Welding Inspection & Quality Assurance

• Lead welding inspection programs to ensure compliance with project specifications and quality standards.
• Coordinate and oversee NDT activities including UT, RT, PT, and MT.
• Review inspection reports, weld maps, quality records, and technical documentation.
• Investigate welding defects and non-conformities and implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Monitor welding performance and quality metrics to drive continuous improvement.

Team Leadership & Technical Guidance

• Provide technical leadership and mentoring to welding engineers, inspectors, supervisors, and welding personnel.
• Conduct technical training and awareness sessions on welding standards, procedures, and best practices.
• Support project teams in resolving complex welding and fabrication challenges.
• Promote a culture of quality, safety, and operational excellence.

Compliance, Safety & Regulatory Requirements

• Ensure full compliance with project specifications, client requirements, and industry regulations.
• Verify adherence to hot work permits, fire prevention measures, and welding safety procedures.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of industry standards including: ASME Section IX, ASME B31.1 & B31.3, API Standards, AWS Standards, ISO 15614, ANSI & ASTM Codes
• Support internal and external audits, client surveillance, and regulatory inspections.

Materials & Consumables Management

• Recommend suitable welding processes, filler materials, and consumables.
• Monitor storage, handling, and traceability of welding consumables.
• Optimize material utilization and support cost-effective project execution.
• Ensure welding materials comply with project and code requirements.

Stakeholder Coordination & Reporting

• Interface with Project Management, QA/QC, Engineering, Construction, Clients, and Third-Party Inspectors.
• Develop and present welding progress reports, KPI metrics, productivity analysis, and defect trends.
• Provide technical support during client meetings and project reviews.
• Ensure welding activities remain aligned with project schedules and milestones.
• Identify and mitigate risks associated with welding processes, materials, and execution methods.
• Lead root cause investigations for welding failures and quality issues.
• Develop and implement corrective and preventive measures.
• Support project teams in resolving technical and execution-related challenges impacting welding quality.

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR

Experience

• Minimum 15 years of experience in welding engineering, inspection, quality control, and fabrication within Oil & Gas EPC projects.
• Experience working on large-scale EPC projects in the Middle East.

Education and Certifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, or related discipline.
• International Welding Engineer (IWE) certification or equivalent.

Skills and Competencies

Strong expertise in:

• Welding Procedure Qualification (WPS/PQR)
• NDT Coordination and Review
• Welding Metallurgy
• Quality Management Systems

WHAT WE OFFER

• The chance to contribute to some of UAE’s Oil and Gas EPC Mega projects.
• A collaborative, supportive environment that values innovation and excellence.
• Opportunities for professional growth and career progression.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.