Shop Welding Instructor

Job Description Requirements Position Purpose The Welding Trainer will be responsible for developing, training, and supporting welders in both Stainless Steel and Carbon Steel welding processes. This position will work closely with Production, Quality, Engineering, and Operations to ensure welders are properly trained, qualified, and capable of consistently producing quality welds while meeting production requirements. The individual should be a strong hands-on welder with the ability to effectively teach, coach, troubleshoot, and develop other welders . Primary Responsibilities Welding Training & Development
- Train new and existing welders in Stainless Steel and Carbon Steel welding.
- Provide hands-on instruction in GTAW/TIG, GMAW/MIG, FCAW, and other applicable welding processes.
- Evaluate individual welder skill levels and identify training needs.
- Develop and execute training plans for new, existing, and underperforming welders.
- Demonstrate proper welding techniques and production methods.
- Train employees on proper joint preparation, fit-up, welding parameters, travel speed, torch/electrode angle, heat input, and weld sequence.
- Provide coaching and corrective feedback to improve welder performance.
- Establish and maintain standardized welding practices.
Welder Qualification
- Support and/or conduct welder qualification testing as required.
- Assist with maintaining accurate welder qualification and continuity records.
- Ensure welders are qualified for the applicable processes, positions, materials, and thicknesses.
- Train welders to properly follow approved Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS).
- Identify when additional training, testing, or requalification is required.
Quality & Process Improvement
- Work closely with Quality to reduce weld defects, rework, repairs, and failed weld tests.
- Troubleshoot recurring welding problems and identify root causes.
- Assist with corrective actions related to welding quality.
- Monitor welding techniques and processes on the production floor.
- Improve first-pass weld acceptance and overall welding consistency.
- Partner with Production and Engineering to improve welding processes, equipment, and work methods.
Production Support
- Provide technical welding support to Foremen, Supervisors, and Production teams.
- Troubleshoot welding equipment and process issues.
- Assist Production when welding problems impact schedule or quality.
- Help identify whether issues are related to welder technique, equipment, materials, fit-up, consumables, or process parameters.
- Support Production while maintaining established quality and safety standards.
Safety
- Promote safe welding practices throughout the facility.
- Train employees on proper PPE, hot-work practices, ventilation, and welding safety.
- Reinforce safe handling and storage of welding gases and consumables.
- Identify and correct unsafe welding practices.
Required Skills & Technical Knowledge The candidate should have strong working knowledge and hands-on experience with:
- GTAW/TIG welding
- GMAW/MIG welding
- FCAW welding
- Stainless Steel welding
- Carbon Steel welding
- Pipe welding preferred
- Structural/fabrication welding
- Fillet welds
- Groove welds
- Butt joints
- Weld fit-up
- Heat input and distortion control
- Welding consumables
- Shielding gases
- Welding equipment setup and troubleshooting
- Blueprint reading
- Weld symbols
- WPS interpretation
- Basic weld inspection principles
Stainless Steel Knowledge Strong knowledge of Stainless Steel welding, including:
- 304/304L
- 316/316L
- Stainless contamination prevention
- Heat control
- Distortion control
- Purging/back purging
- Interpass temperature
- Proper tungsten selection
- Shielding gas selection
- TIG welding techniques
- Stainless Steel cleaning and finishing requirements
Carbon Steel Knowledge Knowledge of:
- Preheat requirements
- Interpass temperature
- Heat input
- Distortion control
- Consumable selection
- Hydrogen cracking prevention
- Fillet and groove weld requirements
- MIG and Flux-Core welding
Codes & Standards Experience with the following is preferred:
- AWS D1.1
- AWS D1.3
- ASME B31.3
- Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS)
- Procedure Qualification Records (PQR)
- Welder Qualification Records
- Welder continuity requirements
The candidate should be capable of explaining applicable welding requirements to production welders and ensuring work is performed according to approved procedures. Certifications / Qualifications Required or Preferred
- AWS Certified Welder experience or equivalent qualification experience
- Demonstrated proficiency in Stainless Steel TIG welding
- Demonstrated proficiency in Carbon Steel welding
- Experience with GMAW/MIG and FCAW
- Welding school or technical training preferred
- 5+ years of professional welding experience preferred
- Previous Lead Welder, Welding Trainer, Welding Instructor, or similar experience preferred
Additional Preferred Certifications
- AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI)
- AWS Certified Welding Educator (CWE)
- AWS Certified Welder
- OSHA safety training
- Train-the-Trainer certification
- Lean Six Sigma or Continuous Improvement experience
Note for HR: CWI/CWE should be considered a preferred qualification unless the position will have formal inspection responsibilities. Training & Leadership Skills The candidate should demonstrate the ability to:
- Teach both experienced and inexperienced welders.
- Explain technical welding concepts in a simple and understandable manner.
- Demonstrate proper welding techniques.
- Identify and correct poor welding habits.
- Provide constructive feedback.
- Work effectively with different learning styles.
- Develop training plans.
- Evaluate employee progress.
- Document training activities.
- Communicate effectively with Production, Quality, Engineering, and Operations.
- Lead by example.
- Hold employees accountable to established welding standards.
Lean & Continuous Improvement Experience with Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement is preferred. The candidate should understand or have experience with:
- Standard Work
- 5S
- 5-Why
- Root Cause Analysis
- PDCA
- Visual Management
- First-Pass Yield
- Rework Reduction
- Waste Reduction
- Continuous Improvement
The Welding Trainer should actively look for opportunities to improve welding quality, productivity, consistency, and training effectiveness . Suggested Performance Metrics The position may be measured using:
- Welder qualification pass rate
- First-pass weld acceptance
- Weld rework percentage
- Failed weld tests
- Time required to qualify new welders
- Training hours completed
- Reduction in repeat weld defects
- Welding-related production downtime
- Welder skill progression
- Compliance with WPS requirements