Welding Engineer - Shipbuilding Automation & QA

Saronic Technologies; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health insurance

401(k) plan with company match

Equity options

Free lunch benefit

Unlimited free drinks and snacks

Job summary

A maritime technology leader in Austin, Texas is seeking a Weld Engineer to establish and maintain a comprehensive welding engineering program. The engineer will develop and qualify welding procedures, automate welding systems, and ensure compliance with industry standards. This role offers the opportunity to work closely with production teams and contribute to efficient shipbuilding operations. Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits are provided, including medical, dental, vision insurance, and retirement plans.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of welding processes and metallurgy.
• Experience in shipbuilding and heavy fabrication.
• Familiarity with NDT methods and weld quality standards.

Responsibilities

• Develop and qualify Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS).
• Establish weld joint design standards and documentation.
• Collaborate with automation vendors on welding processes.

Skills

Welding procedure development

Welding engineering knowledge

Quality assurance collaboration

Automation technology

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Welding Engineering or related discipline

4–8 years of relevant experience for Mid-Level

8+ years of relevant experience for Senior-Level

Job description

Saronic Technologies is a leader in revolutionizing autonomy at sea, dedicated to developing state-of-the-art solutions that enhance maritime operations through autonomous and intelligent platforms.

Position Summary

Weld Engineers are responsible for establishing and maintaining the welding engineering program that supports ship construction at Port Alpha. This role develops the welding procedures, automation strategies, and technical standards that govern one of the most critical trades in shipbuilding.

The Weld Engineer will work closely with production, quality assurance, and ship design teams to ensure that welding processes are safe, repeatable, and compliant with classification society and regulatory requirements. A key responsibility of this role is building the shipyard’s welding program from the ground up, including procedure development, qualification programs, welder training requirements, and integration of automated welding technologies.

The role ensures that welding operations support efficient production while maintaining structural integrity and long-term vessel reliability.

Responsibilities:

Welding Procedure Development

• Develop and qualify Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS) and Procedure Qualification Records (PQR) for shipbuilding applications.
• Establish weld joint design standards for plates, stiffeners, panels, and structural assemblies.
• Define welding processes and parameters appropriate for shipbuilding materials and thickness ranges.

Weld Program Development

• Build and implement the shipyard’s welding engineering program in coordination with Quality Assurance.
• Establish welding standards, technical guidance, and documentation for production teams.
• Develop weld inspection criteria and acceptance standards aligned with classification society rules.

Automation & Advanced Welding Systems

• Support implementation of automated welding systems including panel line welding, robotic welding, and mechanized welding processes.
• Define welding parameters and procedures for automated production systems.
• Collaborate with automation and equipment vendors to optimize welding productivity and quality.

Production Integration

• Work with production engineering to ensure welding processes support block construction and panel fabrication strategies.
• Identify opportunities to improve welding efficiency through process improvements or automation.
• Provide technical support to fabrication shops and assembly teams.

Welder Qualification & Training Support

• Define welder qualification requirements and certification standards.
• Support development of welder training programs and qualification processes.
• Ensure welders are qualified to applicable procedures and codes.

Quality Assurance Coordination

• Partner with QA to develop weld inspection programs, including visual inspection, NDT methods, and acceptance criteria.
• Support root cause investigations related to weld defects or failures.
• Participate in corrective action programs and continuous improvement initiatives.

Standards & Compliance

• Ensure welding procedures comply with classification society rules (e.g., ABS, DNV, or equivalent).
• Maintain compliance with applicable welding codes and shipbuilding standards.
• Support regulatory and classification audits related to welding operations.

What Success Looks Like

• A complete welding engineering program established and functioning across the shipyard.
• Welding procedures are standardized, qualified, and aligned with ship design requirements.
• Welders are properly trained and qualified to required standards.
• Automated welding systems operate reliably with optimized parameters.
• Weld quality meets classification society requirements with minimal rework.

Qualifications:

Entry-Level

• Bachelor’s degree in Welding Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Engineering, or related discipline.
• Understanding of welding processes and metallurgy.
• Interest in heavy manufacturing or shipbuilding operations.

Mid-Level

• 4–8 years of welding engineering experience in shipbuilding, heavy fabrication, or industrial manufacturing.
• Experience developing welding procedures and supporting production welding operations.
• Familiarity with NDT methods and weld quality standards.

Senior-Level

• 8+ years of welding engineering experience in shipbuilding or large structural fabrication.
• Demonstrated experience implementing welding programs and supporting automated welding systems.
• Strong experience working with classification societies and regulatory welding requirements.

Benefits:

Medical Insurance: Comprehensive health insurance plans covering a range of services

Saronic pays 100% of the premium for employees and 80% for dependents

Dental and Vision Insurance: Coverage for routine dental check-ups, orthodontics, and vision care

Saronic pays 100% of the premium under the basic plan for employees and 80% for dependents

Time Off: Generous PTO and Holidays

Parental Leave: Paid maternity and paternity leave to support new parents

Competitive Salary: Industry-standard salaries with opportunities for performance-based bonuses

Retirement Plan: 401(k) plan with company match

Stock Options: Equity options to give employees a stake in the company’s success

Life and Disability Insurance: Basic life insurance and short- and long-term disability coverage

Pet Insurance: Discounted pet insurance options including 24/7 Telehealth helpline

Additional Perks: Free lunch benefit and unlimited free drinks and snacks in the office

Saronic CCPA Notice for Candidates and California Employees

This role requires access to export-controlled information or items that require “U.S. Person” status. As defined by U.S. law, individuals who are any one of the following are considered to be a “U.S. Person”: (1) U.S. citizens, (2) legal permanent residents (a.k.a. green card holders), and (3) certain protected classes of asylees and refugees, as defined in 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).

Saronic does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, age, national origin, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other reason prohibited by law in provision of employment opportunities and benefits.