Description
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
RK Industries, LLC is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status or any other status protected by applicable law
