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Science & ResearchISCO 2144

Welding engineer

A welding engineer is a person who researches and develops efficient welding techniques and designs the equipment that supports welding, while also running quality control over the results.

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Rate 5 of the 28 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

operate oxy-fuel welding torch

apply arc welding techniques

operate welding equipment

perform welding inspection

spot metal imperfections

About welding engineer

The engineer develops new welding techniques and controls the welding process itself: the current, the speed, the heat input, the gas and the preparation of the joint. The engineer also selects the filler metal, which has to match the parent metal and the service the joint will see. Design drawings are read and design sketches are made, both for the weldments and for the fixtures, jigs and manipulators that hold work in position while it is welded.

The engineer also carries out quality control and evaluates the inspection procedures applied to welding, deciding what is tested, how much of it, and by which method, since not every defect can be seen from the outside.

The work rests on advanced knowledge of welding technology, together with engineering principles, industrial engineering and knowledge of production and distribution processes, so that a technique chosen in a laboratory can be run by a welder on a production line. Welding engineers manage complex technical projects and take responsibility for the decisions in them. Formal requirements are set by the employer.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (28)

production processesproduction processesMaterials and techniques required in the production and distribution processes.engineering principlesengineering principlesThe engineering elements like functionality, replicability, and costs in relation to the design and how they are applied in the completion of engineering projects.manufacturing processesmanufacturing processesThe steps required through which a material is transformed into a product, its development and full-scale manufacturing.design drawingsdesign drawingsThe drawings detailing the design of products, tools, and engineering systems.welding techniqueswelding techniquesThe different methods of welding together pieces of metal using various equipment, such as oxygen-acetylene welding, gas metal arc welding and tungsten inert gas welding.technical drawingstechnical drawingsDrawing software and the various symbols, perspectives, units of measurement, notation systems, visual styles and page layouts used in technical drawings.types of metaltypes of metalQualities, specifications, applications and reactions to different fabricating processes of various types of metal, such as steel, aluminium, brass, copper and others.industrial engineeringindustrial engineeringThe field of engineering concerned with the development, improvement, and implementation of complex processes and systems of knowledge, people, equipment, etc.operate oxy-fuel welding torchoperate oxy-fuel welding torchOperate a cutting torch fueled by oxyacetylene gas safely to perform welding processes on a workpiece.apply arc welding techniquesapply arc welding techniquesApply and work with a variety of techniques in the process of arc welding, such as shielded metal arc welding, gas metal arc welding, submerged arc welding, flux-cored arc welding, and others.operate welding equipmentoperate welding equipmentUse welding equipment to melt and join together pieces of metal or steel, wearing protective eyewear during the working process.perform welding inspectionperform welding inspectionInspect and assure the quality of welded metals using diverse testing techniques.spot metal imperfectionsspot metal imperfectionsObserve and identify various kinds of imperfections in metal workpieces or finished products. Recognise the best fitted manner of fixing the problem, which could be caused by corrosion, rust, fracture...adjust engineering designsadjust engineering designsAdjust designs of products or parts of products so that they meet requirements.perform scientific researchperform scientific researchGain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.use technical drawing softwareuse technical drawing softwareCreate technical designs and technical drawings using specialised software.research welding techniquesresearch welding techniquesUse a wide network to inform yourself of the various existing techniques used for welding metal pieces, their qualities and applications.consult technical resourcesconsult technical resourcesRead and interpret technical resources such as digital or paper drawings and adjustment data in order to properly set up a machine or working tool, or to assemble mechanical equipment.ensure fulfilment of legal requirementsensure fulfilment of legal requirementsEnsure that all legal requirements are met.apply technical communication skillsapply technical communication skillsExplain technical details to non-technical customers, stakeholders, or any other interested parties in a clear and concise manner.develop new welding techniquesdevelop new welding techniquesDesign and optimise new techniques for welding together metal pieces; devise a solution to a welding problem after having performed research into the matter. Take into account the properties of the we...define technical requirementsdefine technical requirementsSpecify technical properties of goods, materials, methods, processes, services, systems, software and functionalities by identifying and responding to the particular needs that are to be satisfied acc...prepare production prototypesprepare production prototypesPrepare early models or prototypes in order to test concepts and replicability possibilities. Create prototypes to assess for pre-production tests.liaise with managersliaise with managersLiaise with managers of other departments ensuring effective service and communication, i.e. sales, planning, purchasing, trading, distribution and technical.operate soldering equipmentoperate soldering equipmentUse soldering equipment to melt and join together pieces of metal or steel, such as a soldering gun, soldering torch, gas-powered iron, and others.select filler metalselect filler metalSelect optimal metal used for metal joining purposes, such as zinc, lead or copper metals, specifically for welding, soldering or brazing practices.approve engineering designapprove engineering designGive consent to the finished engineering design to go over to the actual manufacturing and assembly of the product.draw design sketchesdraw design sketchesCreate rough pictures to assist in creating and communicating design concepts.
Optional (24) — show
mathematicsmathematicsMathematics is the study of topics such as quantity, structure, space, and change. It involves the identification of patterns and formulating new conjectures based on them. Mathematicians strive to pr...ferrous metal processingferrous metal processingVarious processing methods on iron and iron-containing alloys such as steel, stainless steel and pig iron.CAD softwareCAD softwareThe computer-aided design (CAD) software for creating, modifying, analysing or optimising a design.operate brazing equipmentoperate brazing equipmentUse equipment designed for brazing processes in order to melt and join together pieces of metal or steel.inspect quality of productsinspect quality of productsUse various techniques to ensure the product quality is respecting the quality standards and specifications. Oversee defects, packaging and sendbacks of products to different production departments.record test datarecord test dataRecord data which has been identified specifically during preceding tests in order to verify that outputs of the test produce specific results or to review the reaction of the subject under exceptiona...apply brazing techniquesapply brazing techniquesApply and work with a variety of techniques in the process of brazing, such as torch brazing, braze welding, dip brazing, and others.perform test runperform test runPerform tests putting a system, machine, tool or other equipment through a series of actions under actual operating conditions in order to assess its reliability and suitability to realise its tasks, ...define manufacturing quality criteriadefine manufacturing quality criteriaDefine and describe the criteria by which data quality is measured for manufacturing purposes, such as international standards and manufacturing regulations.identify hazards in the workplaceidentify hazards in the workplacePerform safety audits and inspections on workplaces and workplace equipment. Ensure that they meet safety regulations and identify hazards and risks.perform metal active gas weldingperform metal active gas weldingWeld metal, mostly steel, workpieces together using active gas mixtures such as concotions of argon, carbon dioxide and oxygen.ensure finished product meet requirementsensure finished product meet requirementsEnsure that finished products meet or exceed company specifications.identify customer's needsidentify customer's needsUse appropriate questions and active listening in order to identify customer expectations, desires and requirements according to product and services.coordinate engineering teamscoordinate engineering teamsPlan, coordinate and supervise engineering activities together with engineers and engineering technicians. Ensure clear and effective channels of communication across all departments. Make sure the te...analyse test dataanalyse test dataInterpret and analyse data collected during testing in order to formulate conclusions, new insights or solutions.evaluate employees workevaluate employees workEvaluate the need for labour for the work ahead. Evaluate the performance of the team of workers and inform superiors. Encourage and support the employees in learning, teach them techniques and check ...ensure correct gas pressureensure correct gas pressureEnsure the necessary, usually constant, pressure of gas which is part of a machine or tool, such as torching equipment, used to process metal workpieces during metal fabrication processes.supervise staffsupervise staffOversee the selection, training, performance and motivation of staff.liaise with quality assuranceliaise with quality assuranceWork closely with the relevant quality assurance or grading party involved.perform tungsten inert gas weldingperform tungsten inert gas weldingWeld metal workpieces together by tungsten intert gas (TIG) welding. This arc welding process welds metal workpieces using the heat generated between an arc of electricity struck between a non-consuma...ensure equipment maintenanceensure equipment maintenanceEnsure that the equipment required for operations is regularly checked for faults, that routine maintenance tasks are performed, and that repairs are scheduled and performed in the case of damage or f...maintain safe engineering watchesmaintain safe engineering watchesObserve principles in keeping an engineering watch. Take over, accept and hand over a watch. Perform routine duties undertaken during a watch. Maintain the machinery space logs and the significance of...perform metal inert gas weldingperform metal inert gas weldingWeld metal workpieces together using inert gasses or gas mixtures such as argon and helium. This technique is usually used for welding aluminium and other non-ferrous metals.follow company standardsfollow company standardsLead and manage according to the organisation's code of conduct.

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Frequently asked questions

What does a welding engineer do?

Welding engineers research and develop optimal effective welding techniques and design the corresponding, equally efficient equipment to aid in the welding process. They also conduct quality control and evaluate inspection procedures for welding activities. Welding engineers have advanced knowledge and critical understanding of welding technology application. They are able to manage high complex technical and professional activities or projects related to welding applications, while also taking responsibility for the decision making process.

What skills does a welding engineer need?

A welding engineer needs 28 essential skills, including production processes, engineering principles, manufacturing processes, design drawings, welding techniques.

Will AI replace welding engineer jobs?

The AI disruption score for welding engineer is 27/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: record test data, ensure finished product meet requirements, analyse test data. Most resilient: operate welding equipment, operate oxy-fuel welding torch, welding techniques.

Quick Facts

SectorScience & Research
ISCO GroupScience and engineering professionals
Essential Skills28

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