Welding Instructor

Keel; Ladson (SC); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive Benefit Package

Competitive Pay

401K Match

HSA/FSA

Paid Holidays

Paid Time Off

Internal Referral Bonus Opportunities

Shift Differentials

Overtime Potential

Paid on the Job Training

Certification Sponsorship Opportunites

Committed to Individual Career Growth

We Do Fun Things, Plus More!

Job summary

Keel is seeking a Welding Instructor for the Merrill Institute in the United States. The role involves preparing lectures and labs, teaching welding curricula, maintaining progress, and advising students.

Strong organizational and communication skills are essential, with experience in welding and manufacturing a must. The instructor will guide 1–14 student classes, oversee safety and standards, and collaborate with the institute director on program needs.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; associate degree preferred.
• AWS CWI or CWE certification required or preferred.
• Exceptional organizational, communication, and team-building skills.
• Ability to facilitate small to medium classes (1–14 students).
• Five years minimum in custom manufacturing and welding experience.
• Two years minimum training/facilitation or management experience.
• Understanding of manufacturing/welding industry and teaching methods.

Responsibilities

• Prepare lectures, labs, and class instruction per curriculum.
• Follow course outlines, objectives, and evaluation methods.
• Maintain daily lesson plans and grading timelines.
• Instruct students on welding processes, tools, codes, and safety.
• Advise students on performance and policy matters.
• Coordinate with Merrill Institute Director on student progress.

Skills

Organizational skills

Communication

Team building

Public speaking

Adaptability

Education

Associate’s Degree or equivalent

AWS CWI or CWE

Tools

Welding equipment operation

Job description

Built on Experience. Built for Skill. Built for You.

Keel was formed by bringing together three industry leaders combining generations of hands-on expertise in steel fabrication, shipbuilding, aerospace, and defense manufacturing.

That means when you join Keel, you’re joining a team backed by decades of proven craftsmanship and real-world results.

We build ships, defense systems, aerospace components, and heavy steel structures that serve critical missions — and we do it with pride.

Your Mission:

This position is responsible for facilitating and executing training and educational courses for a tuition-based welding school and oversees all operations and instruction of the Merrill Institute.

Explore the Depth of the Role:

• Prepare and provide all lectures, labs, and classroom instruction according to the required standard curriculum


• Follow current course outlines, objectives, and evaluation mechanisms for the program


• Maintain a lesson plan on daily instructional events


• Instruct students in subject areas (i.e., use, maintenance, and the safe operations of tools and equipment, codes and standards related to the welding program)


• Instruct students in the importance of accuracy, neatness, efficiency, resourcefulness, and good work habits in obtaining employment in manufacturing


• Grading assignments, returning grades assignments to students, and assigning final grades for all students in a timely manner


• Provide educational assistance to students during regularly scheduled times (i.e., office hours) or by appointment


• Advise students as it relates to school policies, satisfactory performance, etc.


• Maintain communication with the Director of Merrill Institute regarding student performance and all issues related to students


• Submit in writing current textbook, supply, and equipment needs to the Director when requested or required


• Secure consumable supplies and educational materials from administrative office when needed


• Ensure that students follow the catalog guidelines daily


• Attend all scheduled mandatory meetings set by the Director or Executive Sponsor


• Serve on committees (e.g., curriculum development, retention, etc.) as assigned based upon expertise or strategic need


• In collaboration with the Director and/or Executive Sponsor, provide annual budget input, as required


• Monitor and maintain all equipment and supply inventory in locked facilities


• Facilitate and execute training and educational courses for a tuition-based welding school


• Classroom responsibilities include teaching in accordance with the AWS SENSE model


• Provide quality course instruction that prepare students for entry-level welding jobs in industry


• Maintain a 90%+ annual graduation and employment rate


• Monitor student attendance and retention, documenting as required


• Maintain professional expertise (faculty development) to meet accreditation standards by attending educational seminars in professional field, reading current literature, attending online courses, etc.


• Maintain a professional appearance


• Other related duties as assigned

Requirements:

• High School Graduate or GED


• Associate’s Degree or equivalent in work experience preferred


• American Welding Society (AWS) Certified Welding Instructor (CWI) or Certified Welding Educator (CWE)


• Exceptional organizational, communication, and team building skills


• Must be able to facilitate small (1 - 5 students) to medium (6 - 14 students) size classes (class sizes may increase over time)


• The position requires high weld proficiency including advanced skills in GMAW, FCAW, GTAW, and SMAW in all positions on different alloys


• Five (5) years minimal in custom manufacturing and welding experience


• Two (2) years minimum training and facilitation or management experience


• Should have a good understanding of the manufacturing / welding industry


• Must be able to demonstrate and instruct every performance test module to students from different backgrounds, ethnicity, nationalities, gender, age, religions, or disabilities in the classroom and in the lab, using a variety of teaching methods such as lectures, demonstrations and using audiovisual and technological aids to supplement the presentations

Travel Requirements:

• Infrequent travel may be required to sister Institute locations in the Midwest, as well as attendance at periodic recruiting fairs to support adequate class enrollment.

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to communicate and relay information and confirm understanding of students with a positive / professional attitude


• Must be able to lead and inspire a group of students in a classroom environment. The position requires an ability to stand and walk for a long period of time along with physical welding ability


• Non-repetitive lifting


• Must be able to perform the essential job duties with or without accommodations

Become a part of our Builders and you too can...

• Uphold Safety and Quality Standards


• Embody Team Spirit


• Relentless Customer Focus


• Convey Integrity, Trust, and Professionalism


• Execute with Excellence and Velocity

What Keel will build for you:

• Comprehensive Benefit Package


• Competitive Pay


• 401K Match


• HSA/FSA


• Paid Holidays


• Paid Time Off


• Internal Referral Bonus Opportunities


• Shift Differentials


• Overtime Potential


• Paid on the Job Training


• Certification Sponsorship Opportunities


• Committed to Individual Career Growth


• We Do Fun Things, Plus More!

Need Assistance?

If you require a reasonable accommodation at any stage of the employment process, please email [e-mail] with details about your request and your contact information. Accommodation requests are reviewed individually on a case-by-case basis. Please note that this email address is monitored only for inquiries related to reasonable accommodation requests.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Individuals with Disabilities / Protected Veterans

What we build, builds us.

Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.