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Welding Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

$155K/yr

Bachelor's Degree (such as Welding Engineering or related field) and/or Registered Apprenticeship preferred. * NDT Level III, CWI, and/or CWE qualifications strongly desired. * Previous managerial ...

$96K - $121K/yr

ENGINEER WELDING 2 Location: Newport News, Virginia, United States Date: Jul 31, 2026 Req ID: 46989 Team: E37 WELDING ENGINEERING Entity: Newport News Shipbuilding US Citizenship Required for this ...

$124K - $156K/yr

ENGINEER WELDING 3 Location: Newport News, Virginia, United States Date: Jul 31, 2026 Req ID: 46990 Team: E37 WELDING ENGINEERING Entity: Newport News Shipbuilding US Citizenship Required for this ...

Partner with Engineering and Quality teams to investigate weld failures, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions. * Oversee welding equipment, consumables, and production methods to ...

Pipe Welder

Newport News, VA · On-site

$60/hr

... file with O37 Welding Engineering. The Welding School will administer the fire watch training and test VIA computer based, and will also test and verify torch safety knowledge and practical ...

... file with O37 Welding Engineering. The Welding School will administer the fire watch training and test VIA computer based, and will also test and verify torch safety knowledge and practical ...

Certified Welding Inspector

Woodbridge, VA · On-site

$28 - $37.75/hr

Communicate findings to engineer or project manager and when requested collaborate with the project ... American Welding Society (AWS) Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) * American Society for ...

Showing results 41-60

Welding Engineer information

See Virginia salary details

$24

$41

$56

How much do welding engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for welding engineer in Virginia is $41.26, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $34.09 and $46.97 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a welding engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Welding Engineer, you need a solid background in metallurgy, welding processes, materials science, and an engineering degree, often supplemented by certification such as a Certified Welding Engineer (CWE). Familiarity with CAD software, welding simulation tools, and industry standards like AWS or ASME codes is typically required. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and the ability to communicate technical information clearly help professionals excel in this role. These skills ensure weld quality, safety, and compliance with specifications, which are critical for successful engineering projects.

How much does a welding engineer get paid?

Welding engineers typically earn a median annual salary of around $70,000 to $100,000, depending on experience, location, and industry. Those with specialized skills, certifications, or working in high-demand sectors may earn higher wages and additional benefits.

What does a welding engineer do?

As a welding engineer, your job is to make recommendations on equipment for each project, create a plan for each construction job, demonstrate how to weld unusual materials together, and ensure the final product meets the client specifications. Welding engineers typically work in an industrial environment, and you may coordinate with suppliers, ensure designs are cost-effective, and communicate with project managers. Welding engineers are also responsible for ensuring safety guidelines are followed, researching new techniques and equipment, and providing documentation of the welding process. This job involves a significant amount of stooping, bending, and lifting, as well as the use of close, distance, peripheral, and color vision.

What are some typical challenges welding engineers face when working on complex fabrication projects?

Welding Engineers often encounter challenges such as selecting appropriate welding processes for diverse materials, ensuring weld quality meets strict standards, and troubleshooting unexpected defects during fabrication. They must also coordinate closely with design, production, and quality teams to resolve issues quickly and keep projects on schedule. Continuous learning about new welding technologies and adapting to evolving industry codes is also essential to overcome these challenges and ensure successful project outcomes.

What is a welding engineer?

Welding engineers are professionals who specialize in the design, development, and implementation of welding processes used to join metals and other materials. They apply principles of engineering, materials science, and metallurgy to create safe, efficient, and cost-effective welding solutions. Their responsibilities often include selecting appropriate welding techniques, developing procedures, overseeing quality control, and troubleshooting welding problems. Welding engineers work in industries such as manufacturing, construction, automotive, aerospace, and energy. They play a critical role in ensuring the structural integrity and safety of welded products and structures.

What is the difference between Welding Engineer vs Welding Technician?

AspectWelding EngineerWelding Technician
CredentialsBachelor's degree in engineering, certifications like CWE or AWS Certified Welding EngineerTechnical diploma or associate degree, certifications like AWS Certified Welding Inspector or Technician
Work EnvironmentDesigning welding processes, overseeing quality, and ensuring standards in manufacturing or constructionPerforming welding operations, inspecting welds, and assisting in production
Industry UsageUsed in engineering design, quality assurance, and process developmentCommonly found in manufacturing, fabrication, and maintenance

Welding Engineers focus on designing and improving welding processes, ensuring quality, and applying engineering principles. Welding Technicians support these processes by performing welding tasks, inspecting welds, and maintaining equipment. Both roles are essential in manufacturing and construction, but Welding Engineers typically require more advanced education and focus on process development, while Welding Technicians are more hands-on with daily operations.

What are the most commonly searched types of Welding Engineer jobs in Virginia?

The most popular types of Welding Engineer jobs in Virginia are:

What job categories do people searching Welding Engineer jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Welding Engineer jobs in Virginia are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Welding Engineer jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Welding Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Welding Engineer job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 13% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $85,812 per year, or $41.3 per hour.

NDT Level III (Job ID: 1334)-Norfolk,Virginia

Colonna's Shipyard, Inc.

On-site

$155K/yr

Part-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 7 days ago


Job description

NDT Level III
Purpose:
Colonna's Shipyard is seeking an experienced NDT Level III to join our team and assist in the weld/braze/NDT programs for either the ship repair and/or the industrial fabrication operations for multiple government and commercial customers. The successful candidate will be responsible for assisting in the administration and management of the Company's welding/brazing/NDT operations by ensuring personnel are adequately trained and qualified, along with qualification maintenance. This is a working-manager role that is critical to ensuring the high standards of quality and safety that Colonna's Shipyard is known for and requires the candidate to stay current with the latest welding technologies, industry's best practices, as well as customer contractual and regulatory compliance.
The position is located onsite in Norfolk, VA and will often require hours beyond a standard work week with flexible schedule availability to support production/operations. This position may require local travel, as well as some limited non-local travel.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Program administration duties may include but is not limited to:
  • Assist in the administration and oversight of the Weld Program and its subordinate staff and Support operational goals through well-qualified, competent personnel and program management in the assigned areas.
  • Assist in maintaining welder qualifications/certifications in applicable systems (NavWeld).
  • Assist in maintaining NDT inspector qualifications/certifications in applicable systems (NavNDT).
  • Assist in the development of quality and workmanship demonstration standards and Welder Performance Qualifications (WPQ), administers/oversees qualification exams, and ongoing qualification maintenance.
  • Assist in the interpretation and evaluation of welding requirements (specs, codes, standards, procedures, etc.) to assist in various business needs (such bid reviews) and supports production/operations teams with technical guidance.

Additionally, this role serves in various Quality Management capacities to include:
  • Assist in the performance of and/or management of various internal and external weld and brazing audits and in-process surveillances, conducts inspections, attends checkpoints, writes/documents required reports and test and inspection plans.
  • Creates, reviews, revises, qualifies Weld/Braze/PCP procedures (or solicits third party companies for the same) and maintains adequate retention/documentation.
  • Executes PQR development to include planning, setup, and execution of testing of material.
  • Reviews technical specifications and contract requirements during Work Package reviews and QA WorkBook development to provide guidance for Welding/Brazing technical requirements, PCP development, test and inspection plans, and qualification needs.

Team Support and Management Responsibilities include:
  • Works in tandem with other Quality department members to manage relevant procedures in the Quality Management System.
  • May act as a Company representative/liaison with internal teams, customers, vendors, regulators, etc. on matters related to their area of responsibility.
  • Tracks, reports, and presents to stakeholders on the weld program's key metrics, performance indicators, trends, audit results, corrective actions, etc. on matters related to their area of responsibility.
  • May serves as a primary liaison between Colonna's Shipyard and the customer, to include government representatives, to answer and investigate discrepancies, concerns, or issues and ensure execution of corrective actions and compliance with customer specifications relative to the weld program on matters related to their area of responsibility.
  • Assist in collaborating with executive leadership, management, and employees at all levels across the enterprise to build/maintain a strong weld program and sound working relationships.
  • Position may also perform other relevant duties as identified and directed by senior management.

Required Qualifications:
  • Ten (10) years of collective experience in progressive roles supporting welding, weld quality, or other related positions in ship repair and/or industrial fabrication settings. Experience must include prior inspection of structural, steel fabrications and knowledge/experience in selection/application of welding consumables and equipment (for various material combinations).
  • Knowledge/command of standard welding codes and requirements - Examples may include but not limited to Tech-Pub 248, ABS Classification Rules, ASME, AWS D1.1 and D1.5, ASME codes for welding requirements, etc.
  • Must have at least 2 years of experience performing and/or overseeing NDT inspections/program.
  • Must attain Level III certification in NDT disciplines they oversee or as directed.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of welding processes - Examples include but not limited to SMAW, GTAW, GMAW, SAW, etc.
  • Must have the ability to recertify NDTs for VT, MT, PT and UTT qualifications in 30 days in at least one area. Any additional certifications is a plus.
  • Exceptional interpersonal, negotiation, collaboration, leadership, and communication skills (both written and verbal) to yield influence and build successful relationships.
  • Strong administrator with well-developed organizational, time management, prioritization, multitasking capabilities with proficient computer skills (Microsoft Office products, analytical tools, database management, etc.).
  • Ability to communicate with others to exchange information.
  • Must be able to obtain/maintain access credentials to worksites, including government installations, military bases, and customer sites.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's Degree (such as Welding Engineering or related field) and/or Registered Apprenticeship preferred.
  • NDT Level III, CWI, and/or CWE qualifications strongly desired.
  • Previous managerial/leadership roles, to include oversight of personnel, preferred.

Travel Requirements:
Occasional Travel: 15% or less.
Security Requirements:
  • Must be able to access Government facilities and be DBIDS eligible.
  • Position requires US Citizenship.

Physical Requirements:
  • Remaining in a stationary position, often standing, or sitting for prolonged periods.
  • Remain in a stationary position, could be standing or sitting for prolonged periods.
  • Ability to sit and work on a computer for long periods.
  • Moving about accomplishing tasks or moving from one worksite to another.
  • Light work that includes moving objects up to 20 pounds.
  • Must be physically agile to perform tasks on naval ships and in industrial/fabrication environments. Able to work on and climb ladders, work in extreme temperature environments, aboard ships, in shipyards, under industrial conditions, and in confined spaces, including enter and moving through manholes.
  • Performs other duties as required which may involve high heat, humidity, noise, and dirty conditions, working aloft or over the sides of vessels.
  • Frequent exposure to noise due to machinery and equipment.
  • While performing the duties of this job, you may frequently be required to stand, walk, and sit; use hands or fingers; handle or feel; talk and hear. Occasionally required to reach with hands and arms, climb and balance, stoop, squat, kneel, twist, and crawl.

Respect, Pride, Truth, Family - These are our VALUES and the guidelines that make us a leader in our industry. We are pleased and confident in stating that our skilled employees are among the most respected experts in the ship repair industry.
Colonna's Shipyard, Inc. is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.
Additionally, Colonna's Shipyard provides a variety of benefits to support your best health, wellness, and future, to include medical/dental/vision options, company paid disability insurances, 401k with match, legal services, as well as company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO).
Pay Range: $115,085 - $155,704
Determination of base salary considers various factors, including but not limited to scope of responsibility, candidate's relative and specific experience, education level, key skills, as well as other business considerations. The company also provides a variety of benefits to support employees' best health and wellness. Additionally, the company offers a 401k retirement program with match, paid holidays, and competitive paid time off (PTO)