Welding Engineer (Job ID: 1559)

Colonna's Shipyard; Norfolk (VA); On-site; USD 92,000 - 137,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/dental/vision options

401k with match

Paid holidays

PTO

Job summary

Colonna’s Shipyard in Norfolk, VA seeks an experienced Welding Engineer to lead welding programs for shipbuilding and repair projects. You will develop and verify welding procedures, train welders, and ensure compliance with NAVSEA, ASME, AWS, and related standards.

You will coordinate with Planning, Production, and the weld test center to improve quality, code compliance, and process efficiency while supporting production schedules and weld qualifications.

Qualifications

• BS or AS degree with extensive welding engineering experience.
• Strong knowledge of welding processes (SMAW, GTAW, GMAW, FCAW) and related codes.
• Ability to develop weld procedures per NAVWELD and NAVSEA/NASME standards.
• Experience training welders and leading a welding program.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate with Planning and Estimating to ensure approved WPSs/PQRs.
• Track PQRs/WPSs and obtain customer approvals.
• Optimize weld quality and process controls to meet NDE/NDT requirements.
• Develop continuous improvement in welding automation and tooling.
• Provide coaching to weld school, trainees, and production supervision.
• Support PQR/WPS testing, welder qualification testing, and documentation.

Skills

Welding engineering

Code compliance

Welding procedures

Training/coaching

NAVSEA/ASME/AWS knowledge

Metallurgy knowledge

Process improvement

Education

BS in Engineering (Welding)

AS in Engineering or Welding Technology

Tools

NAVWELD

WPS/PQR documentation

Welding automation tools

Job description

Location: Norfolk, VA

Job Id:1559

# of Openings:1

Purpose:

Colonna's Shipyard is seeking an experienced Welding Engineer to join our team. The successful candidate will apply in-depth technical knowledge and hands-on experiences in welding processes, welding technologies, and metallurgical issues relating to critical-service applications in the ship building, ship repair, defense, global power, oil and gas, and chemical industries. Daily tasks may include welding engineering resource for code compliance, rework disposition, and process improvement for operations to support production schedules, training/coaching, weld repairs, calibrations and welding qualifications while also being responsible for supporting the company’s weld program by working with Planning and Production for welding procedure verification and operation, hands-on welder training, weld procedure qualification support, performing welder surveillances, and assisting in the operation of the weld testing and evaluation center.

The position is located onsite in Norfolk, VA and may require hours beyond a standard work week with flexible schedule availability to support production/operations.

Job Description:

Key responsibilities include:

• Work closely with the Planning and Estimating Groups to assure availability of approved WPSs/PQRs and if not available the timeframe the WPS/PQR needs to be qualified for the work. Identify and address potential welding process issues early.
• Track all approved PQRs and WPSs and coordinate with customers for approval.
• Strive to optimize weld quality and process controls to meet all NDE/NDT requirements with minimal rework and avoid additional manufacturing costs.
• Create methods and mechanisms of continuous improvement in the specification, procurement, build, programming, and installation of welding automation (where feasible).
• Work with weld school, welders, trainees, apprentices, and production supervision to develop and maintain a qualified welding workforce capable of meeting shipyard, industrial, and customer requirements.
• Provide direct instruction and coaching in welding techniques, equipment setup, weld quality, process control, and safe work practices across multiple welding processes including, but not limited to, FCAW, GMAW, GMAW-P, SMAW, GTAW, SAW, mechanized, and automated welding applications.
• Demonstrate proper welding techniques in multiple positions while reinforcing compliance with applicable welding procedures, safety requirements, and quality standards.
• Assist in testing and training activities within the weld test center.
• Support Procedure Qualification Record (PQR) and Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS) testing activities, as needed, through weld preparation, welding, inspection coordination, testing support, and documentation management.
• Support welder qualification testing, workmanship evaluations, and practical skill demonstrations for both current employees and prospective candidates.
• Review welding operator qualifications, as needed.
• Work with the Welding Program Manager to ensure a successful welding program.
• Performs other duties and tasks as assigned.

Qualifications:

• BS Degree in Engineering, preferably weld engineering, with a minimum of 5 years of direct welding engineering experience (Welding Engineer) or 10 years of direct welding engineering experience (Senior Welding Engineer). Or AS Degree in Engineering or Welding Technology with a minimum of 10 years of direct welding engineering experience (Welding Engineer).
• Strong attention to detail while performing job functions.
• Strong knowledge of welding processes including, but not limited to, SMAW, SAW, GTAW, GMAW, GMAW-P, FCAW, Automation, and Mechanized.
• Strong knowledge of and ability to read, understand, and interpret NAVSEA, ABS, ASME, ASIC, AWS, ASTM, ANSI, and other codes and standards (including 1688, 1689, 2025, 248, 802-7094539).
• Strong technical knowledge of welding, metallurgy, heat treating, and material specifications to support fabrication operations.
• Ability to develop weld procedures per S9074-AQ-GIB-010/248 utilizing NAVWELD with a minimum of 2 years of development experience for FCAW, SMAW, GTAW, and SAW processes.
• Ability to "transfer" knowledge and skills to all welders regardless of their capabilities.
• Knowledge of selection and application of welding consumables and equipment for various material combinations.
• Ability to effectively communicate, both orally and written, with customers, vendors, co-workers, and management.

Desired Qualifications:

• Prefer welding engineer experience in a shipyard environment with a strong emphasis on new construction.
• Prefer having a welding certification.
• Prefer active AWS CWI.
• Prefer ASNT certifications.

Travel Requirements:

• Occasional Travel; 10% or less.

Security Requirements:

• Must be able to access Government facilities and be DBIDS eligible.

Physical Requirements:

• Sit, Stand, Walk, Bend, Squat, Climb, Reach, Push and Pull, Stoop, Crawl, Kneel, Balance, Lift and Carry various objects and equipment.
• General shipyard/industrial environment. Work is has physical demands that require frequent movement up to 65% of the time.
• Lighting and temperature are adequate, and there is minimal exposure to hazardous or unpleasant conditions caused by noise, dust, etc. Hear, talk, and smell.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Work is generally performed within an office environment, with standard office equipment available, but also requires safe navigation and regular partnership with operations teams within shipyard/industrial environments.
• A considerable amount of time is spent operating a personal computer.
• Must be able to climb up and down stairs and spend time moving throughout the facility and onboard marine vessels.

Respect, Pride, Truth, Family – These are our VALUES and the guidelines that make us a leader in our industry. We are pleased and confident in stating that our skilled employees are among the most respected experts in the ship repair industry.

Colonna’s Shipyard, Inc. is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

Additionally, Colonna’s Shipyard provides a variety of benefits to support your best health, wellness, and future, to include medical/dental/vision options, company paid disability insurances, 401k with match, legal services, as well as company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO).

Pay Range: $91,553 - $136,585

Determination of base salary considers various factors, including but not limited to scope of responsibility, candidate’s relative and specific experience, education level, key skills, as well as other business considerations. The company also provides a variety of benefits to support employees’ best health and wellness. Additionally, the company offers a 401k retirement program with match, paid holidays, and competitive paid time off (PTO)