LEAD ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGIST - SR. ENGR. TECHNOLOGIST - Pressure Vessel, Structural Welding

Southwest Research Institute; San Antonio (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio is seeking a Lead Engineering Technologist specializing in pressure vessel and structural welding. The role involves applying advanced welding techniques, leading complex fabrication projects, and ensuring compliance with industry standards. Qualified candidates should have a Bachelor’s degree in Welding Technology or related field, along with over 6 years of experience in welding procedures. Training and mentoring technical staff is also a significant aspect of this position. Benefits and further details available upon request.

Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in Welding Technology, Mechanical Engineering Technology.
• 6+ years of expertise in welding procedures development and application.
• Proven capability to train and evaluate welders.

Responsibilities

• Lead fabrication efforts involving complex welds and ensure compliance.
• Develop and maintain welding procedures in accordance with industry standards.
• Conduct training for technical staff and assess procedural knowledge.

Skills

Advanced welding procedure development

Technical training and mentorship

Inspection planning

Independent technical judgment

Education

Bachelors in Welding Technology or related field

Job description

LEAD ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGIST - SR. ENGR. TECHNOLOGIST - Pressure Vessel, Structural Welding

18-01614

Who We Are:

The Mechanical Fabrication Centers Section provides engineered fabrication services for commercial and government customers. We fabricate precision machined components and welded joint assemblies to the most stringent of requirements. We service all technical areas of Southwest Research Institute and are involved in a large cross section of the total of SwRI's and commissioned pressure vessels of various types for land-based, subsea, manned, and unmanned purposes. The Mechanical Fabrication Center executes projects that cover every aspect of SwRI’s slogan “from deep sea to deep space.”

Objectives of this Role:

• Apply advanced principles, theories and concepts to welding and fabrication execution, leading project fabrication efforts by translating design intent into qualified, repeatable welding processes for large pressure vessels and structural assemblies.
• Lead fabrication efforts involving complex or critical welds with internal teams and external customers including weld qualification and risk mitigation.
• Provide advanced technical expertise and procedural oversight for welding and fabrication tasks, ensuring execution of critical project requirements and compliance with industry codes.
• Lead the skill development of technical staff through hands‑on training, practical demonstrations, and process improvement recommendations on assigned projects.
• Maintain and improve welding procedures in accordance with AWS and ASME standards, addressing project‑specific applications with attention to quality and repeatability.

Daily and Monthly Responsibilities:

• Ensure proper welding and fabrication processes are followed through site inspections and procedure evaluations.
• Support the design and application of weld procedures to optimize for prescribed project needs.
• Lead collaboration between team members and support the implementation of existing training programs for welders, ensuring adherence to best practices.
• Lead the development, qualification, and maintenance of welding procedures supporting specific project needs, making recommendations for process adjustments based on observed performance.
• Lead the preparation and technical review of fabrication project proposals, ensuring feasibility and compliance with relevant standards.
• Conduct on‑the‑job training for team members and provide targeted instruction when gaps in procedural knowledge are observed.

Requirements:

• Requires a Bachelors degree in Welding Technology, Welding Engineering Technology, Mechanical Engineering Technology or related Technology degree. Certified Welding Inspector or able to become a CWI.
• In lieu of a Bachelors degree, high school diploma education or equivalent with 25 years of related experience and continued education and certifications.
• 6+ years: Demonstrated expertise in the development, qualification, interpretation, and application of welding procedures in accordance with AWS, ASME, and customer‑specific codes and standards. Hands‑on experience across multiple welding processes and materials, with emphasis
• 6+ years: Recognized ability to exercise independent technical judgment in weld process selection, acceptance criteria interpretation, and resolution of non‑conformances.
• 6+ years: Proven capability to train, mentor, and technically evaluate welders, serving as a subject matter expert rather than line supervision.
• 6+ years: Advanced proficiency in inspection planning, CWI‑level evaluation, and objective quality evidence generation, ensuring traceability and audit readiness.
• A valid/clear driver's license is required.

Special Requirements:

Applicant selected will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information. Applicant must be a U.S. citizen.

Benefits information is available for our San Antonio location and all other locations.

An Equal Employment Opportunity Employer: race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, and veteran status.