Welding Engineer

COMPA Industries, Inc.; West Mifflin (Allegheny County); Hybrid; USD 83,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

COMPA Industries, Inc. in West Mifflin, PA seeks a Specialized Engineer III (Welding Engineer, Repair Technology) to join the Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory team. You will assess repair technologies for Naval Nuclear Propulsion, combining lab work with subcontract activities, using welding, machining, and related processes.

Role interfaces with stakeholders across the laboratory, shipyards, and Naval Reactors Headquarters. Hands-on lab work and deployment through qualification are key.

Qualifications

• BS or MS in Welding Engineering or related field with relevant experience.
• Experience delivering technical presentations.
• Ability to lead and execute laboratory operations in a timely, compliant manner.
• Ability to plan and execute work programs, design experiments, analyze results, and prepare reports.
• Ability to interpret specifications and drawings and engineering standards.

Responsibilities

• Team with engineers to identify, research, test, and evaluate repair technologies using welding, machining, and other processes.
• Assist with planning, execution, and reporting of work within the lab repair technology community.
• Conceive and produce technical instructions and procedures.
• Track procurement actions and budget performance.
• Write technical submittals and recommendations.
• Lead and execute laboratory operations in a productive, timely, compliant manner.
• Travel to vendors and shipyards to support planning and testing.

Skills

Welding Engineering

Materials Science

Mechanical Engineering

Technical Presentations

Laboratory Operations

Budget & Planning

Education

BS or MS in Welding Engineering, Materials Science & Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering

Tools

GTAW

GMAW

SMAW

Epoxies/Composites

Machining

Job description

Working Title: Welding Engineer, Repair Technology

Location: West Mifflin, PA (On-site, up to 10% telework)

Pay Rate: $60–$65/hr

Contract: Long-term contract, anticipated duration of up to 5 years

Work Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours per week

About the Role

We are recruiting for a Specialized Engineer III to join a team at Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory in West Mifflin, PA. You will work with a team of welding engineers assessing repair technologies for the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, both within a laboratory setting and through commercial subcontracts. The work involves established and novel technologies, leveraging welding, machining, and other industrial processes to identify, research, test, and evaluate metallic and non-metallic repair methods for the fleet.

The role carries regular interface with stakeholders and support groups across the laboratory, the naval shipyards, and Naval Reactors Headquarters in Washington, DC. It is a strong fit for an engineer who enjoys hands‑on laboratory work and wants to see a repair technology carried from development through qualification and deployment at a shipyard.

Key Responsibilities

• Team with other engineers to identify, research, test, and evaluate metallic and non‑metallic repair technologies, leveraging existing welding, machining, and other industrial processes.
• Assist with the planning, follow, and execution of work efforts, including project planning and reporting of project performance within the laboratory’s repair technology development community.
• Conceive and produce technical instructions and procedures.
• Track procurement actions and budget performance.
• Write technical submittals and recommendations.
• Lead and execute laboratory operations in a productive, timely, and compliant manner.
• Travel to vendors and shipyards to support project planning, equipment testing, and repair deployment.

Required Education & Experience

BS degree in Welding Engineering, Materials Science & Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field from an accredited college or university and a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience; or an MS degree in Welding Engineering, Materials Science & Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field from an accredited college or university and a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience.

Top Skills & Requirements

• Accredited BS (5+ years) or MS (3+ years) in Welding Engineering, Materials Science & Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience making technical presentations.
• Ability to lead and execute laboratory operations in a productive, timely, and compliant manner.
• Ability to plan and execute work programs, design experiments, analyze experimental results, and prepare technical reports.
• Ability to develop and interpret specifications, drawings, and engineering standards (or the ability to learn it).

Security Clearance

A DOE "L" clearance is required for this position. Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain a DOE "L" security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience helping develop, test, evaluate, and qualify repair procedures in the laboratory.
• Experience consulting with fabrication vendors and shipyards to support technology transfer.
• Hands‑on knowledge of repair operations such as gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW), gas metal arc welding (GMAW), shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), epoxies/composites, and mechanical/machining processes.
• Demonstrated acumen in executing laboratory work.
• Familiarity with inspection methods.
• Strong individual initiative and creativity.

Duration: Long-term contract with an anticipated duration of up to 5 years. Continuation is at the discretion of the hiring manager and is not guaranteed.

Estimated Hours: Approximately 2,080 straight-time hours per year (full-time).

Work Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours per week; up to approximately 10% telework.

Work Environment: Work is performed in laboratory and industrial areas.

Anticipated Start: As soon as possible.

Travel

Some travel to vendors and shipyards is required to support project planning, equipment testing, and repair deployment.

Why Work at COMPA Industries?

We strive to provide careers, not just jobs, for our employees. We invest in and serve the communities where we work and live. We provide best-in-class administrative, professional, and technical services to solve complex problems to meet customer mission‑critical objectives.

For over 30 years, Compa has been a trusted partner in progress. We combine decades of technical expertise with a forward‑thinking spirit, tackling intricate challenges in nuclear facilities alongside the brightest minds in science and engineering. Join us, and don’t just build your career, build the future, with competitive compensation, a collaborative culture, and the chance to make a real difference for national security and beyond.

COMPA is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to protected status