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
This is a hands-on shop-floor leadership role. The successful candidate should be comfortable working directly with welding teams, evaluating processes, solving technical problems, conducting inspections, and developing employees while supporting a safe, quality-focused manufacturing environment.
