Certified Weld Inspector​/Instructor​/Engineer

Job Title

Certified Weld Inspector/Instructor (CWI) / Certified Weld Engineer

Full-time, Day Shift

Schaumburg, IL

This position requires ITAR compliance and may involve access to technical data controlled under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Sponsorship is not available now nor in the future. Applicants must be U.S. Persons as defined by ITAR.

H3 Manufacturing is a leading integrated manufacturing solutions provider specializing in precision machining, laser cutting, sheet metal fabrication, complex welding, assembly, surface finishing, painting, and powder coating. With four state‑of‑the‑art facilities spanning over 200,000 square feet across Illinois & North Carolina, we serve high‑spec markets including power generation, healthcare, electrical power distribution, aerospace and defense, life sciences, and more.

The Certified Weld Inspector (CWI) / Instructor / Weld Engineer is responsible for ensuring all welded products meet customer specifications, applicable codes, and company quality standards while developing and improving the welding skills of production employees. This role combines technical inspection expertise with hands‑on training, mentoring, and continuous improvement initiatives to support safe, high‑quality, and efficient manufacturing operations.

• Perform visual weld inspections in accordance with applicable AWS, customer, and internal quality standards.
• Interpret welding symbols, engineering drawings, specifications, and applicable welding codes to ensure travelers, work instructions and jobs are scoped and set‑up appropriately.
• Verify compliance with approved Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS), Procedure Qualification Records (PQR), and Welder Performance Qualifications (WPQ).
• Identify welding defects, determine root causes, and recommend corrective actions.
• Document inspection findings and maintain accurate inspection records.
• Support internal, customer, and third‑party quality audits.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Quality, and Production teams to resolve weld‑related quality issues.
• Assist in dispositioning nonconforming material and implementing corrective actions.
• Monitor welding processes to ensure consistent quality and process capability.

• Develop and deliver hands‑on welding training for new hires and existing employees.
• Evaluate welder proficiency and provide coaching to improve technique, quality, and productivity.
• Conduct welder qualification testing and maintain qualification records.
• Develop training materials, work instructions, and welding best practices.
• Identify skill gaps and recommend development plans for welders.
• Promote proper welding techniques, safety practices, and equipment care.
• Serve as a technical resource for supervisors and production employees.

• Develop, qualify, and maintain welding procedures (WPS/PQR) in accordance with applicable codes and standards (AWS, ASME, API, ISO, etc.).
• Design and optimize welding processes to improve quality, efficiency, and cost.
• Support Lean Manufacturing initiatives focused on improving welding quality and efficiency.
• Analyze weld defects and quality trends to reduce scrap and rework.
• Recommend improvements to fixtures, processes, consumables, and equipment.
• Participate in new product launches and process validations involving welding operations.
• Assist with continuous improvement projects related to welding operations and quality systems.

• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Current AWS Certified Weld Inspector (CWI) certification required.
• Ability to execute and train on 6G Welds required.
• Preferred:
  Certified Welding Engineer (CWE).
• Minimum of 5 years of welding experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of AWS welding codes and standards.
• Experience interpreting blueprints, welding symbols, and engineering drawings.
• Knowledge of welding processes including MIG, TIG, FCAW, and GMAW (as applicable).
• Experience with welding codes and standards (AWS D1.1, ASME Section IX, API, ISO, etc.).

• Strong communication, coaching, and…