Find & Apply For Materials Engineer Jobs in Wallingford, Connecticut

Working Welding Supervisor Department:

Manufacturing Reports To:

Operations/Production Manager Employment Type:

Full-Time Position Summary The Working Welding Supervisor is responsible for leading the day-to-day operations of the welding department while remaining actively involved in hands-on welding and production activities. This position combines technical welding expertise with employee leadership, production coordination, quality oversight, and continuous improvement. The Working Welding Supervisor will lead by example, ensuring work is completed safely, efficiently, and in accordance with customer specifications, engineering drawings, production schedules, and XLI Manufacturing quality standards. The supervisor will work closely with Production, Quality, Engineering, and Program Management to resolve issues and keep jobs moving through the facility. Essential ResponsibilitiesHands-On Welding & Production Perform MIG, TIG, and other welding processes as required by production needs. Set up welding equipment, fixtures, tooling, and materials for production. Weld complex, difficult, or high-priority components when needed. Read and interpret blueprints, engineering drawings, weld symbols, specifications, and work instructions. Determine appropriate welding techniques, sequences, and parameters based on job requirements. Troubleshoot welding issues and make adjustments to improve quality and productivity. Inspect completed welds and identify defects or areas requiring rework. Assist employees with difficult welds, setups, and technical challenges. Maintain a hands-on presence on the manufacturing floor. Department Supervision Direct and coordinate the daily activities of welding employees. Assign jobs and communicate production priorities based on schedules and customer requirements. Monitor workflow and make adjustments to ensure production targets are met. Provide day-to-day direction, coaching, and support to welding employees. Monitor employee attendance, productivity, performance, and adherence to company policies. Address performance or work-related issues promptly and communicate significant concerns to management. Lead by example in work ethic, safety, quality, attendance, and professionalism. Foster a positive, respectful, and team-oriented work environment. Training & Employee Development Train new employees on welding processes, equipment, safety procedures, quality expectations, and company standards. Provide hands-on training and coaching to improve employee welding skills. Evaluate employee capabilities and identify additional training needs. Cross-train employees to increase department flexibility and coverage. Help establish skill levels and competency expectations for welding employees. Monitor employee progress and provide constructive feedback. Identify employees who may be ready for additional responsibility or advanced welding work. Quality Ensure all welding work meets customer specifications, engineering requirements, and XLI quality standards. Promote quality at the source and encourage employees to identify issues before product moves to the next operation. Review weld quality and identify recurring defects or process problems. Work with Quality to investigate nonconforming product, scrap, and rework. Assist with root-cause analysis and corrective actions related to welding issues. Ensure employees follow applicable inspection and documentation requirements. Identify opportunities to reduce scrap, rework, and customer complaints. Production Scheduling & Workflow Review daily and upcoming production requirements. Coordinate work assignments based on priorities, employee skill levels, equipment availability, and due dates. Monitor jobs throughout the welding process and communicate potential delays. Work with Production Management and other departments to resolve scheduling or material issues. Ensure completed work is properly identified and moved to the next operation. Communicate shortages, equipment issues, quality concerns, and other production obstacles promptly. Safety Maintain a strong safety culture within the welding department. Ensure employees follow all company safety policies and procedures. Enforce proper use of required PPE, including welding helmets, eye protection, gloves, protective clothing, and respiratory protection where applicable. Ensure welding areas are maintained in a safe and organized condition. Identify and correct unsafe conditions or behaviors. Follow applicable Lockout/Tagout, Hazard Communication, fire prevention, and other safety requirements. Report injuries, near misses, equipment concerns, and other safety issues promptly. Set a positive example by consistently following all safety requirements. Equipment, Tooling & Materials Monitor the condition of welding machines, fixtures, tooling, and related equipment. Perform basic troubleshooting and adjustments to welding equipment. Report equipment requiring maintenance or repair. Assist with identifying and implementing improved fixtures, tooling, and welding equipment. Monitor welding consumables and communicate material needs. Ensure materials and consumables are properly stored and handled. Help minimize material waste and unnecessary costs. Continuous Improvement Identify opportunities to improve welding processes, productivity, quality, and safety. Work with Engineering and Quality to improve fixtures, processes, and work instructions. Recommend changes to welding methods or workflow when improvements are identified. Participate in Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives. Encourage employees to provide ideas for improving the department. Monitor scrap, rework, downtime, and other performance issues and help develop solutions. Communication & Teamwork Maintain open communication with Production, Quality, Engineering, Program Management, and other departments. Communicate job status, production concerns, quality issues, and staffing needs to management. Participate in production and department meetings as needed. Ensure employees understand changing priorities and customer requirements. Promote teamwork and cooperation between welding and other manufacturing departments. Qualifications High school diploma or equivalent preferred. 5+ years of hands-on welding experience in a manufacturing environment. Previous lead, senior welder, or supervisory experience preferred. Strong MIG and TIG welding experience required. Experience with sheet metal fabrication and/or precision manufacturing preferred. Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and weld symbols. Strong understanding of welding techniques, materials, equipment, and quality requirements. Ability to troubleshoot welding processes and equipment. Strong mechanical aptitude and attention to detail. Strong communication and leadership skills. Ability to train and coach employees effectively. Ability to work independently while also functioning as part of a management team. Preferred Qualifications AWS certification or other recognized welding certification. Experience with robotic or automated welding. Experience with stainless steel, aluminum, carbon steel, and other common manufacturing materials. Experience with welding fixtures and tooling. Experience in a job-shop or high-mix/low-volume manufacturing environment. Experience working within an

ISO 9001

quality system. Experience with ERP/MRP systems. Previous experience supervising or leading a welding team.

Pay:

$30.00 - $40.00 per hour

Benefits:

401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Employee assistance program Health insurance Health savings account Life insurance Paid time off Retirement plan Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person