Certified Weld Inspector/Instructor/Engineer

H3 Manufacturing Group, LLC; Schaumburg (IL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) match

Healthcare, Dental & Vision insurance

Flexible spending account or HSA

Life insurance

Paid time off

Parental leave

Professional development assistance

Referral program

Job summary

H3 Manufacturing Group, LLC in Schaumburg, IL seeks a Certified Weld Inspector/Instructor (CWI) / Weld Engineer for a full-time day shift. You will ensure welded products meet customer specs and codes while training production staff to raise welding skills and quality.

The role combines inspection expertise with hands-on training, continuous improvement, and collaboration with Engineering, Quality, and Production teams to sustain safe, high-quality manufacturing operations.

Qualifications

• REQUIRED: Current AWS Certified Weld Inspector (CWI) certification.
• REQUIRED: Ability to execute and train on 6G Welds
• Preferred: CWE certification
• Minimum of 5 years of welding experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of AWS welding codes and standards.
• Experience interpreting blueprints, welding symbols, and engineering drawings.
• Knowledge of welding processes including MIG, TIG, FCAW, and GMAW (as applicable).
• Experience with welding codes and standards (AWS D1.1, ASME Section IX, API, ISO, etc.).

Responsibilities

• Perform visual weld inspections in accordance with AWS, customer, and internal standards.
• Interpret welding symbols and drawings to ensure proper setup and travelers.
• Verify compliance with Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS) and WPQ.
• Identify weld defects and recommend corrective actions.
• Document inspection findings and support audits.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Quality, and Production to resolve weld issues.
• Assist in dispositioning nonconforming material and corrective actions.
• Monitor welding processes to ensure quality and process capability.
• Develop and deliver hands-on welding training for new hires and staff.
• Evaluate welder proficiency and provide coaching to improve technique.
• Conduct welder qualification testing and maintain records.
• Develop training materials and welding best practices.
• Identify skill gaps and plan welder development.
• Promote welding safety and equipment care.
• Serve as a technical resource for supervisors and production.

Skills

AWS welding codes

6G welds proficiency

Welding inspection

Welding metallurgy knowledge

Team coaching/training

Blueprint interpretation

Quality audits collaboration

Education

AWS CWI certification

Certified Welding Engineer (CWE) (preferred)

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Job Title

Certified Weld Inspector/Instructor (CWI) / Certified Weld Engineer

Job Type

Full-time, Day Shift

Location

Schaumburg, IL

• This position requires ITAR compliance and may involve access to technical data controlled under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Sponsorship is not available now nor in the future.
• Applicants must be U.S. Persons as defined by ITAR.

Company Overview

H3 Manufacturing is a leading integrated manufacturing solutions provider specializing in precision machining, laser cutting, sheet metal fabrication, complex welding, assembly, surface finishing, painting, and powder coating. With four state-of-the-art facilities spanning over 200,000 square feet across Illinois & North Carolina, we serve high-spec markets including power generation, healthcare, electrical power distribution, aerospace and defense, life sciences, and more.

Key Responsibilities

The Certified Weld Inspector (CWI) / Instructor / Weld Engineer is responsible for ensuring all welded products meet customer specifications, applicable codes, and company quality standards while developing and improving the welding skills of production employees. This role combines technical inspection expertise with hands‑on training, mentoring, and continuous improvement initiatives to support safe, high‑quality, and efficient manufacturing operations.

Weld Inspection & Quality

• Perform visual weld inspections in accordance with applicable AWS, customer, and internal quality standards.
• Interpret welding symbols, engineering drawings, specifications, and applicable welding codes to ensure travelers, work instructions and jobs are scoped and set-up appropriately.
• Verify compliance with approved Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS), Procedure Qualification Records (PQR), and Welder Performance Qualifications (WPQ).
• Identify welding defects, determine root causes, and recommend corrective actions.
• Document inspection findings and maintain accurate inspection records.
• Support internal, customer, and third‑party quality audits.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Quality, and Production teams to resolve weld‑related quality issues.
• Assist in dispositioning nonconforming material and implementing corrective actions.
• Monitor welding processes to ensure consistent quality and process capability.

Training & Instruction

• Develop and deliver hands‑on welding training for new hires and existing employees.
• Evaluate welder proficiency and provide coaching to improve technique, quality, and productivity.
• Conduct welder qualification testing and maintain qualification records.
• Develop training materials, work instructions, and welding best practices.
• Identify skill gaps and recommend development plans for welders.
• Promote proper welding techniques, safety practices, and equipment care.
• Serve as a technical resource for supervisors and production employees.

Lean & Continuous Improvement

• Develop, qualify, and maintain welding procedures (WPS/PQR) in accordance with applicable codes and standards (AWS, ASME, API, ISO, etc.).
• Design and optimize welding processes to improve quality, efficiency, and cost.
• Support Lean Manufacturing initiatives focused on improving welding quality and efficiency.
• Analyze weld defects and quality trends to reduce scrap and rework.
• Recommend improvements to fixtures, processes, consumables, and equipment.
• Participate in new product launches and process validations involving welding operations.
• Assist with continuous improvement projects related to welding operations and quality systems.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• REQUIRED: Current AWS Certified Weld Inspector (CWI) certification.
• REQUIRED: Ability to execute and train on 6G Welds
• Preferred: Certified Welding Engineer (CWE)
• Minimum of 5 years of welding experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of AWS welding codes and standards.
• Experience interpreting blueprints, welding symbols, and engineering drawings.
• Knowledge of welding processes including MIG, TIG, FCAW, and GMAW (as applicable).
• Experience with welding codes and standards (AWS D1.1, ASME Section IX, API, ISO, etc.).

Skills

• Strong communication, coaching, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency using standard inspection tools and measuring equipment.
• Ability to prepare accurate inspection reports and training documentation.
• Strong understanding of welding metallurgy and fabrication processes.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to identify and troubleshoot welding defects.
• Effective presentation and classroom instruction skills.
• Strong organizational and documentation abilities.
• Ability to work collaboratively across departments.
• Ability to prioritize multiple projects in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment.
• Commitment to workplace safety and continuous improvement.

Experience

• Previous experience training or instructing welders.
• Experience in a metal fabrication or contract manufacturing environment.
• Familiarity with ISO 9001 quality management systems.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles.
• Additional certifications such as Certified Welding Educator (CWE) or NDE certifications are a plus.
• Experience with robot automation is not required but it is preferred.
• Experience in welding fixturing, welding work sequencing and development/coaching of top welding attributes (i.e. heat transfer, back‑gassing, heat mitigation methodologies, machine optimization for weld penetration with different materials and thickness.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for the duration of a 10-hour shift.
• Frequently lift, carry, push, or pull materials weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Frequently bend, twist, reach, stoop, and grasp.
• Manual dexterity sufficient to operate machinery and measuring equipment.
• Ability to work in a manufacturing environment with exposure to moving machinery, noise, and varying temperatures.
• Must wear required personal protective equipment (PPE).

Working Conditions

• Manufacturing production environment.
• Regular exposure to machinery, metal materials, and industrial noise.
• Overtime and occasional weekend work may be required to meet production demands.

Pay

$85,000/year - $95,000/year

Location Requirement

Schaumburg, IL

Benefits

• Retirement plan 401(k) with 401(k) match
• Healthcare, Dental & Vision insurance
• Flexible spending account or Health savings account option
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Referral program

H3 Manufacturing Group, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer that prohibits discrimination or harassment of any type. All qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Applicants who require an accommodation to participate in the job application or hiring process should email [e-mail].