The Manager – Weld Quality and Inspection is responsible for ensuring the structural integrity, compliance, and overall quality of welded components and assemblies. This role leads the development, execution, and continuous improvement of weld inspection programs and quality standards across manufacturing operations. The ideal candidate will oversee a team of welding inspectors and quality engineers, ensuring all welds meet applicable codes, standards, and customer requirements.
Lead weld quality assurance programs across manufacturing facilities, including visual, dimensional, and non-destructive inspections (NDT).
Develop and enforce welding standards in alignment with industry codes (AWS, ISO, ASME) and customer specifications.
Oversee weld inspection activities and ensure timely disposition of nonconformities and defects.
Collaborate with welding engineering, production, and quality teams to ensure weld processes are controlled and optimized for quality.
Supervise and mentor a team of quality inspectors and NDT technicians, ensuring consistent application of procedures.
Maintain detailed documentation of weld quality records, inspection reports, and compliance audits.
Establish and monitor KPIs for weld defect rates, rework, and inspection efficiency.
Support root cause analysis and corrective actions related to weld failures or deviations.
Manage calibration, maintenance, and certification of inspection equipment and tools.
Interface with customers and third-party inspectors during audits or product validation.
Weld Quality Management:
Ensure all welding operations meet applicable quality standards and are properly documented.
Drive initiatives to reduce weld defects, rework, and improve first-pass yield.
Inspection Strategy Development:
Design and implement inspection plans using methods such as VT (visual testing), PT, MT, UT, and X-ray based on weld criticality.
Develop control plans, inspection checklists, and sampling strategies based on risk assessment.
Compliance & Standards Enforcement:
Ensure adherence to customer, internal, and regulatory weld quality requirements.
Maintain certifications and compliance with AWS D1.1, ISO 3834, or relevant welding standards.
Team Leadership & Training:
Train and certify welding inspectors per applicable standards and internal protocols.
Conduct periodic weld quality workshops and refreshers for production and inspection staff.
Continuous Improvement:
Analyze weld inspection data and trends to identify improvement areas.
Partner with manufacturing and welding engineering to refine process parameters and reduce variation.
Bachelor’s degree in Welding Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or related field.
10+ years of experience in weld quality and inspection in manufacturing (automotive, aerospace, heavy equipment, etc.).
Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) from AWS or equivalent certification is required.
Hands-on experience with NDT techniques (UT, RT, PT, MT) and welding defect analysis.
Strong knowledge of welding processes including MIG, TIG, Spot, and Robotic Welding.
Familiar with ISO 9001, IATF 16949, and other quality management systems.
Excellent analytical, documentation, and leadership skills.