North American Weld Engineering Leader

Job purpose

Leads, designs, develops, and improves welding processes by studying product and methods of welding for Kubota North America (KNA) Operations.

Duties and responsibilities

• Develops manufacturing welding processes by studying product requirements, researching, designing, modifying, and testing welding methods and welding equipment.
• Assures product and process quality by designing robust welding processes through application of welding procedures, processes, and documentation.
• Responsible for leading and refining KNA visual, macroscopic, and mechanical welding standards for KNA as related to GMAW and RSW of ferrous alloys.
• Creates, reviews, and approves Procedure Qualification Records (PQR) and Weld Procedure Specifications (WPS) for KNA Operations.
• Supports North American suppliers with welding operations to improve overall quality and delivery.
• Supports the KNA Quality Department with weld inspection techniques.
• Supports the KNA Training Department with new hire welders and oversees certification of manual welders within North America.
• Manages project-related activities in a transparent way for new product programs or changes to existing programs. Scope including but not limited to timing, budgets, design details, team coordination, quotations, vendor procurement coordination.
• Prepares product and process reports by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing information and trends.
• Supports manufacturing to achieve safety, productivity and quality targets through process design, optimization projects and Kaizen initiatives.
• Maintains product and company reputation by complying with government regulations.
• Facilitates with maintenance and robot programming team the setup of preventative maintenance initiatives for new equipment following manufacturer's instructions and established procedures, requesting special services.
• Maintains product and process database by writing computer programs, entering data.
• Develops, designs, records, welding parameters and stores them accordingly.
• Oversees implementation of new or revised processes by training technicians.
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies.
• Contributes to team effort by supporting other team members as capacity issues arise.
• Mentors all employees through all levels of hierarchy in the fundamentals of welding.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Weld Engineering or Welding Engineering Technology.
• Eight years previous experience in weld engineering related to GMAW and/or RSW.
• Experience in high-optionality, low/medium volume environment.
• Dealing with complexity, informing others, leadership, supervision, manufacturing methods and procedures, manufacturing quality, presenting technical information, influence without authority.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience in construction or agricultural equipment manufacturing a plus.
• Experience with American Welding Society (AWS) standards a plus.
• Knowledge of industry metallurgical, mechanical testing standards and best practices.
• Advanced degree in manufacturing related engineering field is an added advantage.
• AWS Welding Certification and/or Certified Welding Inspector a plus.
• Experience with robot programming and protocols a plus.
• Ultrasonic inspection and non-destructive testing fundamentals a plus.

Working conditions

Ability to work in extreme heat and cold. Ability to work in a loud environment.

Thirty percent travel within Georgia and other domestic locations.

Physical requirements

Ability to stand/ be on your feet for extended periods of time and walk throughout the shop floor. Ability to sit at a desk. Ability to use hands/ fingers. Ability to reach with arms. Ability to operate power and handheld tools.