Lead Welding Engineer
Waukesha, WI
A premier, family-owned custom automation integrator is seeking a Lead Welding Engineer to serve as the primary technical authority for weld process development, WPS qualification, quality compliance, and technical mentorship of Robotic Welding Technicians. This is a supervisor-level position operating as the primary expert on weld process development, quality standards, and defect troubleshooting across complex, one-of-a-kind automation projects.
Schedule: 1st Shift, Monday through Friday, full-time.
Compensation: $100,000 - $110,000 per year, based on experience and welding engineering depth.
What You\'ll Do:
The Lead Welding Engineer acts as the technical lead for Robotic Welding Technicians, providing hands-on troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and review of complex robot weld programs and parameters. This includes developing, documenting, and qualifying Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS) and parameters for new materials, joint configurations, and automated processes.
The role selects optimal welding processes, including GMAW, GTAW, robotic arc, and laser welding, and partners with design engineers to evaluate fixtures and cell layouts for part access and repeatability. The Lead Welding Engineer investigates nonconformances, implements corrective actions, and ensures compliance with applicable codes, including AWS D1.1 and ASME Section IX, as well as customer specifications. The role also provides technical input on project estimating related to weld process feasibility, cycle times, and equipment requirements, and supports new equipment integration, robot commissioning, and process validation, with occasional travel to client facilities for startup support.
Required Qualifications:
- U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residency ()
- 5 to 8+ years of progressive experience in welding engineering, weld process development, or robotic welding technical leadership
- Deep technical capability in GMAW/MIG, GTAW/TIG, robotic arc welding, laser welding, and metallurgy dynamics
- Verifiable track record developing, qualifying, and documenting welding procedures (WPS/PQR) and resolving complex weld defects
- Practical knowledge of AWS D1.1 and ASME Section IX welding codes
- Ability to commute daily to the Waukesha, WI area
Preferred Qualifications:
- Bachelor\'s degree in Welding Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related discipline
- AWS Certified Welding Engineer (CWEng), Certified Welding Inspector (CWI), or Certified Welding Supervisor (CWS) certification
- Experience with industrial robotic welding systems (FANUC, ABB) and offline simulation programming software
Compensation and Benefits:
- $100,000 - $110,000 per year, based on experience
- 401k retirement plan with employer match
- Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
- Short-term disability coverage
To apply, submit your resume for consideration
