Welding Operations Manager

Socket.dev; Virginia Beach (VA); On-site; USD 117,000 - 143,000; Full time

Job summary

Socket.dev in Virginia Beach, VA seeks an experienced Welding Operations Manager to lead high-volume welding across multiple fabrication teams. You will drive weld quality, first-pass acceptance, and cost-effective improvements while coaching welders and supervisors.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader with a current CWI certification and a track record of implementing welding procedures, training programs, and cross-functional collaboration with Production, Engineering, and Quality teams.

Qualifications

• Active Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) certification is required.
• Experience leading welders, supervisor teams and multiple departments.
• Strong knowledge of MIG welding including Spray Transfer, FCAW, and related processes.
• Experience developing and maintaining Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS).
• Proven success in improving weld quality and reducing rework.

Responsibilities

• Direct welding operations across multiple fabrication and manufacturing departments.
• Lead, mentor, and support welders, fitter/fabricators, welding leads, and supervisors.
• Develop, maintain, and enforce Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS) and AWS standards.
• Improve first-pass weld acceptance while reducing defects and rework.
• Evaluate existing welding methods and implement process improvements for quality and efficiency.
• Create and manage welder qualification, onboarding and training programs.
• Perform weld inspections and quality audits with inspection tools.
• Collaborate with Engineering and Quality to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.
• Monitor equipment, consumables, procedures to maintain process control.
• Provide technical expertise for MIG (Spray Transfer/GMAW) and FCAW processes.
• Coordinate welding resources to support production schedules.
• Promote OSHA compliance and continuous improvement.

Skills

CWI certification

Leadership

Welding leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Tools

Welding procedures (WPS)

AWS welding standards

Inspection gauges

Calipers

Tape measures

Blueprint reading

MIG welding (GMAW)

FCAW processes

Job description

Welding Operations Manager

Location: Virginia Beach, VA
Job Type: Direct Hire
Starting Salary: $130,000 annually (higher pay available based on experience) + 10% annual target bonus

Position Overview

We are hiring an experienced Welding Operations Manager to oversee welding operations in a high-volume metal fabrication manufacturing environment. This leadership role is responsible for improving weld quality, increasing first-pass acceptance rates, reducing defects and rework, and strengthening overall welding performance.

The ideal candidate is an active Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) with proven experience leading welding teams, implementing welding procedures, and partnering with Production, Engineering, and Quality to achieve operational goals. This position is well suited for a hands-on leader who enjoys coaching employees, improving manufacturing processes, and driving continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Direct welding operations across multiple fabrication and manufacturing departments.
• Lead, mentor, and support welders, fitter/fabricators, welding leads, and supervisors.
• Develop, maintain, and enforce Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS) and AWS welding standards.
• Improve first-pass weld acceptance while reducing defects, leaks, and production rework.
• Evaluate existing welding methods and implement process improvements that increase quality, consistency, and efficiency.
• Create and manage welder qualification, onboarding, and ongoing training programs.
• Perform weld inspections and quality audits using visual inspection methods, fillet weld gauges, measuring tools, and related inspection equipment.
• Work with Engineering and Quality teams to identify root causes of weld issues and implement corrective actions.
• Monitor welding equipment, consumables, procedures, and production methods to maintain process control.
• Provide technical expertise for MIG welding (Spray Transfer/GMAW), FCAW, and other welding processes used throughout production.
• Coordinate welding resources to support production schedules and manufacturing demands.
• Promote OSHA compliance, workplace safety, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Required Qualifications

• Active Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) certification.
• Experience managing welders, fitter/fabricators, welding supervisors, and multiple fabrication or manufacturing departments.
• Strong knowledge of MIG welding, including Spray Transfer (GMAW), along with FCAW and other welding processes.
• Experience developing and maintaining Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS).
• Proven success improving welding quality, increasing first-pass weld acceptance, and reducing weld failures, leaks, and rework.
• Experience creating and delivering welding training programs.
• Strong background performing weld inspections using AWS standards, fillet weld gauges, weld gauges, calipers, tape measures, and other inspection tools.
• Ability to read engineering drawings, blueprints, weld symbols, and fabrication documents.
• Excellent leadership, communication, coaching, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work effectively with Production, Engineering, Quality, and leadership teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Welding Educator (CWE) certification or previous welding instructor/trainer experience.
• Experience improving welding programs and overall manufacturing quality.
• Background in sheet metal fabrication, heavy fabrication, structural steel, or industrial manufacturing.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies.

Why Apply?

This is an opportunity to lead a critical manufacturing function and make a direct impact on quality, productivity, and employee development. You\'ll work closely with cross-functional teams, mentor skilled trades professionals, and help build standardized welding processes that support long-term operational success.

If you\'re a hands-on welding leader with strong technical expertise and a passion for continuous improvement, we\'d like to hear from you.