Senior Project Engineer - Weld

Vermeer Corporation; Pella (IA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

None

Job summary

Vermeer Corporation is seeking a Welding Leadership role to guide technicians and engineers in advancing welding processes, leading complex projects, and driving continuous improvements across products and manufacturing areas.

You will partner with engineering, operations and plant leadership to improve weld quality, productivity and lead times through lean methods, automation, and robotics. Advanced welding expertise and strong project management are essential.

Qualifications

• Four-year degree in Welding, Materials Joining, Manufacturing or Metallurgical Engineering and 10 years of related experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead welding technicians and engineers; model Vermeer values and align priorities with department goals.
• Lead complex welding, department improvement, and capital projects; justify investments and coordinate resources.
• Partner with engineering, operations and plant leadership to improve weld quality, productivity and lead time using lean principles.
• Lead research, testing, and implementation of advanced welding methods, materials and equipment, including robotics.
• Develop welding guidelines, instructions, quality requirements, standards and training; resolve complex questions with safety staff.
• Guide weld joint design, design for automation and conduct root cause/failure analyses to improve designs and processes.

Skills

GMAW/FCAW/SAW/GTAW knowledge

Welding metallurgy

Material science

CAD/technical drawings

Project management

Root cause analysis

Communication

Capital project justification

Leading cross-functional teams

Training and mentoring

Education

Four-year degree in Welding, Materials Joining, Manufacturing or Metallurgical Engineering + 10 years related experience

AWS Certified Welding Inspector or equivalent; or ability to gain within first year

Tools

None

Job description

Who We Are

Vermeer equips customers doing important work around the world. We are global, driven by innovation and growing. The equipment we make manages natural resources, connects people and feeds and fuels communities. We live out a caring culture, we demonstrate agility, we keep a focus on customers and are stewards of our resources. These beliefs drive our culture, determine how we treat others and steer our business.

Work Shift 1 - First Shift

Job Summary

Are you passionate about developing, maintaining, and advancing welding processes? Do you enjoy developing teams and leading complex projects? In this role you will lead welding technicians and engineers to drive improvements across Vermeer products and manufacturing areas. We're looking for a welding subject matter expert with strong project management acumen and a passion for leading and developing others.

What You’ll Do

• Lead and develop assigned welding technicians and engineers while modeling Vermeer's caring culture, agility, customer focus, and stewardship. Align team priorities with department goals.
• Lead complex welding, department improvement, and capital projects across products or manufacturing areas. Define scope, evaluate alternatives, justify investments, and coordinate resources to meet quality, cost, and timing goals.
• Partner with engineering, operations, and plant leadership to improve weld quality, productivity, and lead time through lean principles, cell layout, equipment utilization, and right-sized automation, including weld robotics.
• Lead research, testing, and implementation of advanced welding methods, materials, and equipment, including robotic welding systems. Assess feasibility and manufacturing readiness and recommend technology priorities.
• Develop welding guidelines, instructions, quality requirements, standards, and training. Resolve complex application questions with quality and safety specialists to support compliance.
• Guide weld joint design, design for automation, fatigue life, manufacturability, and distortion analysis. Lead root cause and failure analysis for engineering, production, service, and warranty, coordinating testing and corrective actions to improve designs, processes, and guidelines.

What We’re Looking For

• Four-year degree in Welding, Materials Joining, Manufacturing or Metallurgical Engineering and 10 years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education/experience.
• Advanced knowledge of GMAW, FCAW, SAW, and GTAW processes, welding metallurgy, material science, CAD, and technical drawings. Experience resolving complex weld design, manufacturability, and failure analysis challenges.
• Experience developing welding quality systems, interpreting standards and acceptance criteria, and training others to apply requirements consistently across products or manufacturing areas.
• Strong project management, root cause analysis, and communication skills. Experience leading complex cross-functional initiatives and justifying and implementing capital projects.
• Experience managing and developing direct reports as a shepherd leader. Ability to influence engineering and operations partners and align team priorities with department goals.
• Experience evaluating and implementing advanced welding methods, materials, equipment, or automation, including feasibility and manufacturing readiness.
• American Welding Society (AWS) Certified Welding Inspector or equivalent; or the ability to gain within first year in position. Senior Certified Welding Inspector, Certified Welding Supervisor, Certified Welding Engineer, Professional Engineer, or other relevant certifications preferred.

Travel

Occasional travel is expected of this position.

Work Location

ONSITE: A team member’s day-to-day work is best done on a Vermeer campus. If work content can be occasionally completed at an offsite location, discuss potential arrangements with your manager.

Equal Opportunity Employer

At Vermeer Corporation, we believe in the value of your unique identity, background, and experiences. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status or any other status protected by the law. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation due to a disability at any stage of the employment application process should contact Team Member Solutions at [phone] or at [e-mail].