Refinery Welding Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

About the Role:

The Welding Engineer will play a critical role in ensuring the integrity, quality, and efficiency of welding processes within manufacturing operations, particularly focusing on stainless steel and pressure vessel fabrication. This position involves designing, developing, qualifying, and optimizing welding procedures to meet stringent industry standards and regulatory requirements. The engineer will manage welding-related projects from concept through completion, ensuring work is delivered on time, within budget, and in full compliance with applicable codes and safety standards.

The Welding Engineer will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including fabrication, machining, production, and quality assurance to implement best practices, troubleshoot welding-related issues, and improve existing processes. This role also includes oversight of welding personnel, training, and technical guidance to ensure proper execution of procedures. A key outcome of this position is to enhance production reliability, prevent defects through strong quality control measures, and maintain compliance with quality systems and safety protocols. Ultimately, the Welding Engineer will contribute to delivering high-quality, durable products that meet customer specifications and industry certifications while driving continuous improvement initiatives within welding operations.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Welding Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field.
Proven experience with stainless steel welding techniques, including TIG and resistance welding.
Strong knowledge of pressure vessel codes and standards such as ASME Section VIII.
Familiarity with manufacturing processes, fabrication, and machining as they relate to welding operations.
Experience with quality systems, inspection processes, and documentation in a manufacturing environment.
Experience preparing and maintaining Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS) and Welding Procedure Qualification Records (WPQR).

Preferred Qualifications:

Certified Welding Engineer (CWE) or equivalent professional certification.
Experience working in regulated industries such as aerospace, energy, or heavy manufacturing.
Proficiency with welding simulation software and metallurgical analysis tools.
Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma methodologies.
Advanced training in non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques.
Experience leading or supervising welding teams.

Responsibilities:

Develop, qualify, and document welding procedures (WPS, WPQR) for stainless steel and other materials used in pressure vessel manufacturing.
Design and improve welding techniques tailored to specific production and project requirements.
Manage welding-related projects and coordinate with cross-functional teams to ensure successful execution.
Conduct resistance welding and TIG welding process optimization to improve efficiency, reduce defects, and enhance product quality.
Collaborate with manufacturing and fabrication teams to resolve welding-related production challenges and implement corrective actions.
Perform inspections and oversee final inspection and non-destructive testing activities to verify weld integrity and compliance with applicable codes and standards.
Implement and maintain quality control measures to prevent defects and ensure consistent welding performance.
Prepare and maintain technical documentation to support compliance, audits, and regulatory requirements.
Research and evaluate new welding technologies and techniques to enhance operational effectiveness.
Train and supervise welding personnel to ensure adherence to procedures, safety standards, and best practices.

Skills:

The Welding Engineer will apply expertise in stainless steel welding and resistance welding daily to develop and refine welding procedures that ensure product durability and compliance. Strong knowledge of metallurgy and fabrication processes enables effective troubleshooting and process improvement. TIG welding knowledge is used to specify and optimize welding parameters for critical joints.

The engineer will utilize quality systems expertise to maintain documentation, conduct inspections, and support internal and external audits, ensuring all welding activities meet regulatory and customer standards. Strong project management, analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills are essential for preventing defects and improving production efficiency. Additionally, effective communication and leadership skills are vital for coordinating cross-functional teams, supervising welding personnel, and driving continuous improvement initiatives.