Welding Manager - Bridgwater

Altrad UK, Ireland & Nordics; Bridgwater; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Altrad UK, Ireland & Nordics is seeking a Welding Manager to support the delivery and management of all welding and welding-related activities within the MEH Alliance on Hinkley Point C. The role is based at the Hinkley Point C site in Somerset, within a regulated, safety-critical nuclear environment and provides specialist technical leadership to the MEH Alliance Engineering and Welding teams.

You will develop and implement Welding and NDT strategies, ensure RCC-M and other project quality

Qualifications

• Extensive leadership experience in welding within major EPC projects.
• Knowledge of RCC-M, nuclear quality standards and related NDE standards.
• Understanding of WPQRs, welding procedures and weld repair procedures.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience with ISO 9001 and related quality systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead welding and welding-related activities to high standards of quality and safety.
• Develop and implement welding and NDT strategies aligned with RCC-M.
• Ensure right-first-time outputs and minimise defects and rework.
• Provide technical guidance to clients, suppliers and internal teams.
• Coordinate welding management across Engineering, Construction Delivery and QA.
• Support training and qualification of welders and ensure WPQRs are current.

Skills

Welding leadership

Nuclear industry experience

Project management

Stakeholder management

Technical mentoring

Quality assurance

Education

HNC/HND or equivalent apprenticeship

Engineering Council accreditation (CEng/IEng/EngTech)

Diploma in Welding Technology or Welding Engineering

IWE/EWE qualification

Postgraduate Welding Engineering (advantageous)

Tools

WPQRs management

NDT equipment (RT/UT/VT)

Welding procedures development tools

Job description

We are seeking a motivated and technically experienced Welding Manager to support the delivery and management of all welding and welding-related activities within the MEH Alliance on Hinkley Point C.

This role will be based at our Hinkley Point C site in Somerset, working a standard five-day working pattern. The role will offer the opportunity to provide specialist technical leadership on a major nuclear new-build project within a highly regulated and safety-critical environment. Working as part of the integrated MEH Alliance Engineering and Welding teams, you will support the development and implementation of the Welding and Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) strategies, ensuring all welding activities meet the required nuclear standards, RCC-M specifications and project quality requirements.

Key Deliverables / Accountabilities

• Support the delivery of all welding and welding-related activities within the MEH Alliance, ensuring the highest standards of quality and compliance appropriate to a nuclear power generating facility.
• Support the development and implementation of welding processes and procedures to ensure compliance with project specifications and applicable standards.
• Ensure appropriate welding methods and processes are applied to achieve right-first-time quality outputs and minimise defects and rework.
• Provide specialist technical advice, guidance and subject matter expertise on all welding and welding-related matters to the MEH Alliance, clients, suppliers and stakeholders.
• Support the establishment, development and execution of the MEH Alliance Welding Strategy.
• Support the development and implementation of the Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) and Non-Destructive Examination (NDE) strategies, including Radiographic Testing (RT), Ultrasonic Testing (UT) and Visual Testing (VT).
• Support the governance and oversight of welding processes and procedures to ensure compliance with project requirements and HPC quality objectives.
• Coordinate welding management activities across Engineering, Construction Delivery and Quality Assurance functions.
• Support the development and deployment of welding management tools, systems and processes, ensuring welding records and information are accurate, accessible and traceable.
• Support the development, qualification and client acceptance of Welding Procedure Qualification Records (WPQRs), welding procedures and weld repair procedures.
• Provide technical guidance on the selection of welding equipment, consumables and processes.
• Provide technical input into welder training, qualification and production testing requirements, ensuring alignment with RCC-M standards and project requirements.
• Liaise with the Bridgwater College Welding Centre of Excellence to support appropriate training and trade testing arrangements.
• Provide technical support to the Site Welding Lead, Construction teams, Quality Assurance function and subcontractors to ensure successful delivery of the welding scope.
• Provide technical guidance on welding quality assurance, welding accreditations, consumable specifications and procurement requirements.
• Support the preparation and review of NDT specifications, procurement activities and NDT deliverables.
• Provide guidance on welding standards, environmental and cleanliness requirements, consumable storage, weld preparation, welding methods and productivity.
• Support the timely identification and resolution of welding defects, non-conformances and associated repairs.
• Promote a positive Nuclear Safety Culture and drive continuous improvement across all welding-related activities.

Key Requirements / Qualifications

• Minimum HNC/HND and a recognised apprenticeship in a relevant discipline, or equivalent.
• Relevant professional accreditation, such as CEng, IEng or EngTech through the Engineering Council.
• Diploma in Welding Technology or Welding Engineering, or currently working towards one.
• Qualified Lead Auditor.
• Qualified Welding Inspector, such as CSWIP 3.1 / 3.2 or PCN Level 2 / 3.
• Postgraduate qualification in Welding Engineering would be advantageous.
• Chartered Engineer status would be advantageous.
• IWE/EWE qualification, or currently working towards one, would be beneficial.
• Level II EN 9712 Radiographic Interpretation qualification would be advantageous.
• 5-10 years' experience in welding leadership roles within a major EPC project, preferably within the nuclear industry.
• Experience within the nuclear, mechanical and process plant sectors.
• Extensive experience working within a welding environment.
• Experience and knowledge of nuclear codes and standards, particularly RCC-M.
• Familiarity with Welding Procedure Qualification Records (WPQRs) across a wide range of materials.
• Sound knowledge and understanding of ISO 9001 and its effective application.
• Knowledge and application of relevant standards, including BS EN ISO 9000 series, PED 2014/68/EU, EN 1090, EN ISO 3834-2, EN 13480, RCC-M and associated NDE standards.
• Understanding of nuclear quality standards, including GQAS and IAEA GSR Part 2, and the importance of Nuclear Quality and Nuclear Safety Culture.
• Knowledge and awareness of Licence Conditions applicable to licensed nuclear sites.
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to develop team capability, improve SQEP status and drive continuous improvement in welding standards and performance.
• Good understanding of project management principles.
• Excellent communication, teamwork and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to liaise effectively with clients, delivery partners, subcontractors and multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong organisational, meeting management, presentation and report-writing skills.
• A proactive and positive approach, with the ability to develop solutions, manage complexity and deliver project objectives.
• Ability to lead by example, demonstrate accountability and promote a collaborative, best-for-project approach.

Due to the nature of the projects and secure nuclear environment;

• Applicants must be eligible to obtain BPSS security clearance or higher.
• Appointment is subject to satisfactory security clearance and background checks.