Welder Operations Manager

Job Title: Welding Operations Manager

Position Summary

The Welding Operations Manager is responsible for overseeing and optimizing all welding-related activities involving heavy pipe fabrication and double-joint operations. This role ensures the safe, efficient, and code-compliant execution of welding operations while maintaining the highest standards of quality, productivity, and safety. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience managing welding operations and leading teams in an industrial environment.

Key Responsibilities

Welding Operations Management

• Supervise daily welding activities in shop and field environments.
• Ensure welding operations are performed in accordance with approved Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS) and qualified welder performance requirements.
• Oversee welding sequences, heat input control, preheat/post-weld heat treatment (PWHT), and distortion control activities.
• Monitor welding productivity, quality, and compliance with project specifications.

Planning & Production Coordination

• Plan and coordinate manpower, welding equipment, consumables, and project logistics.
• Collaborate with project managers, fabrication teams, engineers, and supervisors to prioritize production schedules.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs), including weld production rates, repair rates, and welder utilization.

Quality Assurance & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with applicable welding codes and standards, including:
  • ASME Section I, VIII, and IX
  • AWS D1.1
  • API 1104
• Support QA/QC teams with weld traceability, weld mapping, NDT coordination, and inspection documentation.
• Maintain welding documentation, including WPS, PQR, WPQ records, weld logs, and welder continuity records.

Safety & Risk Management

• Enforce all welding-related safety procedures and HSE requirements.
• Conduct safety audits, inspections, and risk assessments.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and company safety policies.
• Promote a strong safety culture throughout welding operations.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, mentor, and support welding supervisors, foremen, and welders.
• Identify training and development needs.
• Coordinate welder qualification and certification programs.
• Foster teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement within the department.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to reduce weld rework and improve first-pass acceptance rates.
• Implement best practices to improve quality, efficiency, and productivity.
• Evaluate advanced welding technologies, automation solutions, and process improvements.
• Support digital weld tracking systems and SAP integration initiatives.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's Degree or Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, Welding Technology, Metallurgy, or a related field.
• Certified Welding Inspector (CWI), CSWIP, or equivalent certification preferred.

Experience

• 10-15 years of welding operations experience in heavy pipe fabrication and double-joint operations.
• Proven experience managing welding personnel, production schedules, and operational performance.
• Strong knowledge of WPS/PQR development, NDT processes, and weld traceability systems.
• Experience in industrial manufacturing, pipe fabrication, or a similar environment.

Required Skills

• Strong leadership and team management abilities.
• Advanced knowledge of welding processes, metallurgy, and defect analysis.
• Thorough understanding of ASME, AWS, and API welding standards.
• Experience with welding documentation systems, SAP, and production tracking tools.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and reporting skills.
• Strong problem-solving and continuous improvement mindset.

Key Focus Areas

• Welding Operations Leadership
• Quality Control & Code Compliance
• Team Performance & Development
• Production Efficiency
• Safety & Risk Management
• Continuous Improvement Initiatives
• Heavy Pipe and Double-Joint Welding Operations

Employment Type: Full-Time
Experience Required: 10+ Years
Industry: Manufacturing / Heavy Industrial / Pipe Fabrication