Welding Engineer

Job Title:

Welding Engineer

Location:

Hickory NC

Develop, implement, and optimize laser welding processes for production.

Support daily manufacturing operations by troubleshooting weld-related issues and minimizing downtime.

Establish and maintain process parameters, work instructions, and standardized operating procedures.

Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions for weld defects, quality issues, and equipment failures.

Support new product launches, including process design, equipment validation, APQP deliverables, PFMEA, and control plans.

Work closely with Quality to ensure compliance with IATF and customer‑specific requirements.

Analyze production data (scrap, rework, downtime, cycle time) to drive continuous improvement initiatives.

Improve welding efficiency, including cycle time reduction and Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).Assist in specifying, installing, and commissioning new welding equipment, tooling, and automation systems.

Provide technical support and training to operators, technicians, and maintenance personnel.

Collaborate with suppliers, integrators, and customers on weld process‑related issues.

Perform all other duties as assigned.

• Welding Process Engineering & Troubleshooting
• Robotic Welding & Manufacturing Automation
• Automotive Manufacturing & Launch Experience
• IATF, PPAP, APQP knowledge
• Bachelor's Degree in Welding Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent industry experience
• 1+ years of Manufacturing Engineering or Welding Engineering experience in a manufacturing environment
• Experience supporting production welding operations
• Knowledge of weld quality standards, inspection methods, and testing procedures
• Experience troubleshooting manufacturing processes and equipment
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and root cause analysis skills

• Automotive or Tier 1 supplier experience
• Experience with robotic welding systems (Fanuc, ABB, KUKA, or similar)
• Laser welding experience
• Knowledge of APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plans, and SPC methodologies
• Experience supporting new product launches

This is a Permanent position based out of Newton, NC.

The pay range for this position is $85000.00 - $125000.00/yr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job‑related factors.

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance and Disability Coverage
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match
• Additional Company‑Sponsored Retirement Contributions
• Health & Wellness Programs
• Employee Assistance and Wellbeing Resources
• Paid Time Off and Company Holidays
• Professional Development and Career Growth Programs
• Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and Inclusion Initiatives
• Community Involvement and Volunteer Opportunities
• Internal Advancement Opportunities Across a Global Organization

This is a fully onsite position in Newton,NC.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 23, 2026.

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a Clearly Rated Best of Staffing® winner for both…