Welding Operations & Quality Manager

Qualdoc; Virginia Beach (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Qualdoc is seeking an experienced Welding Operations & Quality Manager in Virginia Beach, VA. This hands-on leadership role requires oversight of welding activities, development of welders, and maintenance of WPS and AWS standards to ensure high quality and safety.

The successful candidate will lead multiple fabrication departments, drive process improvements, and deliver welding training while aligning with Production, Engineering, and Quality teams.

Qualifications

• Active Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) certification required.
• Proven leadership experience managing welders, fitter/fabricators, and welding supervisors.
• Strong knowledge of MIG welding including Spray Transfer/GMAW.
• Experience developing and maintaining WPS documentation.
• Track record of improving weld quality, first-pass acceptance, and reducing failures.
• Experience delivering welding training programs.
• Strong knowledge of AWS standards and inspection tools.
• Ability to read engineering drawings, blueprints, weld symbols, and fabrication specs.
• Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee welding activities across multiple fabrication departments.
• Lead, coach, and develop welders, fitter/fabricators, welding leads, and supervisors.
• Establish and maintain Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS) and AWS requirements.
• Improve welding performance by increasing first-pass acceptance and reducing defects.
• Review welding processes, equipment, consumables, and production methods and implement improvements.
• Develop and manage welder qualification, onboarding, training, and skills development programs.
• Perform weld inspections and quality audits using visual inspection methods and gauges.
• Partner with Quality and Engineering to investigate weld problems and implement corrective actions.
• Provide technical direction for MIG (Spray Transfer/GMAW), FCAW, and other welding processes.
• Align welding personnel and resources with production requirements.
• Promote OSHA compliance, safe work practices, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Skills

Leadership

MIG welding

Reading drawings

WPS documentation

Weld inspection

Problem solving

Education

Certified Welding Inspector (CWI)

Job description

Welding Operations & Quality Manager

Location: Virginia Beach, VA
Job Type: Direct Hire
Starting Salary: $130,000/year (Higher compensation available based on experience, plus annual bonus opportunity)

Position Overview

Seeking an experienced Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) to lead welding quality, workforce development, and process improvement within a high-volume sheet metal fabrication operation.

This hands-on leadership position oversees welders, fitter/fabricators, welding leads, and supervisors while partnering with Production, Engineering, and Quality to improve weld consistency, reduce defects and rework, and maintain strong safety and quality standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee welding activities across multiple fabrication departments.
• Lead, coach, and develop welders, fitter/fabricators, welding leads, and supervisors.
• Establish and maintain Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS) and applicable AWS welding requirements.
• Improve welding performance by increasing first-pass acceptance and reducing defects, leaks, weld failures, and rework.
• Review welding processes, equipment, consumables, and production methods and implement improvements.
• Develop and manage welder qualification, onboarding, training, and skills development programs.
• Perform weld inspections and quality audits using visual inspection methods, fillet weld gauges, weld gauges, calipers, tape measures, and other inspection equipment.
• Partner with Quality and Engineering to investigate weld problems, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions.
• Provide technical direction for MIG (Spray Transfer/GMAW), FCAW, and other welding processes used in the facility.
• Align welding personnel and resources with production requirements.
• Promote OSHA compliance, safe work practices, accountability, and continuous improvement throughout the operation.

Required Qualifications

• Active Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) certification required.
• Proven leadership experience managing welders, fitter/fabricators, welding supervisors, and multiple fabrication or manufacturing departments.
• Strong knowledge of MIG welding, including Spray Transfer/GMAW, plus additional welding processes.
• Experience developing and maintaining WPS documentation.
• Demonstrated success improving weld quality, first-pass acceptance, and reducing failures, leaks, and rework.
• Experience developing and delivering welding training programs.
• Strong knowledge of weld inspection and quality evaluation using AWS standards and inspection tools.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, weld symbols, and fabrication specifications.
• Strong leadership, coaching, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively with Production, Engineering, Quality, and leadership teams.
• Positive, professional approach with a focus on accountability and continuous improvement.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Welding Educator (CWE) or previous welding instructor/trainer experience.
• Background in sheet metal fabrication, heavy fabrication, structural steel, or industrial manufacturing.
• Experience leading major welding quality or process improvement initiatives.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or similar continuous improvement programs.

Work Environment

This is a hands-on shop-floor leadership role. The successful candidate should be comfortable working directly with welding teams, evaluating processes, solving technical problems, conducting inspections, and developing employees while supporting a safe, quality-focused manufacturing environment.