Welding Operations & Quality Manager

Welding Operations & Quality Manager

Location: Virginia Beach, VA
Job Type: Direct Hire
Starting Salary: $130,000/year (Higher compensation available based on experience, plus annual bonus opportunity)

Position Overview

Seeking an experienced Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) to lead welding quality, workforce development, and process improvement within a high-volume sheet metal fabrication operation.

This hands-on leadership position oversees welders, fitter/fabricators, welding leads, and supervisors while partnering with Production, Engineering, and Quality to improve weld consistency, reduce defects and rework, and maintain strong safety and quality standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee welding activities across multiple fabrication departments.
• Lead, coach, and develop welders, fitter/fabricators, welding leads, and supervisors.
• Establish and maintain Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS) and applicable AWS welding requirements.
• Improve welding performance by increasing first-pass acceptance and reducing defects, leaks, weld failures, and rework.
• Review welding processes, equipment, consumables, and production methods and implement improvements.
• Develop and manage welder qualification, onboarding, training, and skills development programs.
• Perform weld inspections and quality audits using visual inspection methods, fillet weld gauges, weld gauges, calipers, tape measures, and other inspection equipment.
• Partner with Quality and Engineering to investigate weld problems, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions.
• Provide technical direction for MIG (Spray Transfer/GMAW), FCAW, and other welding processes used in the facility.
• Align welding personnel and resources with production requirements.
• Promote OSHA compliance, safe work practices, accountability, and continuous improvement throughout the operation.

Required Qualifications

• Active Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) certification required.
• Proven leadership experience managing welders, fitter/fabricators, welding supervisors, and multiple fabrication or manufacturing departments.
• Strong knowledge of MIG welding, including Spray Transfer/GMAW, plus additional welding processes.
• Experience developing and maintaining WPS documentation.
• Demonstrated success improving weld quality, first-pass acceptance, and reducing failures, leaks, and rework.
• Experience developing and delivering welding training programs.
• Strong knowledge of weld inspection and quality evaluation using AWS standards and inspection tools.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, weld symbols, and fabrication specifications.
• Strong leadership, coaching, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively with Production, Engineering, Quality, and leadership teams.
• Positive, professional approach with a focus on accountability and continuous improvement.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Welding Educator (CWE) or previous welding instructor/trainer experience.
• Background in sheet metal fabrication, heavy fabrication, structural steel, or industrial manufacturing.
• Experience leading major welding quality or process improvement initiatives.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or similar continuous improvement programs.

Work Environment