Weld Engineer

Howell Laboratories, Inc.

Weld Engineer

Are you ready to fuse technical expertise with industrial innovation?

We are seeking a Weld Engineer who lives for precision, structural integrity, and the hum of a perfectly tuned arc.

At Howell Laboratories, Inc., we don’t just build products; we engineer solutions that last. If you’re a problem-solver with a deep understanding of metallurgy, WPS, PQR, etc., we want you on our team.

Location: Multi-Location, Bridgton and Gorham, Maine

Level: Mid-Senior Level

Impact: Direct oversight of weld quality and process optimization

Job Description

Role Overview

As a Weld Engineer, you will be the technical authority for all welding and joining operations, overseeing two weld programs. Your mission is to develop, improve, and oversee welding processes to ensure they meet rigorous safety, and quality, and process standards.  You’ll bridge the gap between design engineering and the production floor.

Key Responsibilities

Process Development

Design and implement welding procedures (WPS) and oversee Procedure Qualification Records (PQR) in accordance with NAVY TECHPUB 248/278, AWS, ASME, and ISO standards.

Update and manage Non-Destructive Test (NDT) procedures and qualifications in accordance with NAVY TECHPUB 271.

Quality Assurance

Conduct failure analysis and root cause investigations for weld defects (porosity, slag, cracking) and implement corrective actions.

Perform bi-annual audit in accordance with S9074-AQ-GIB-010/248.

Continuous Improvement

Lead Lean initiatives to reduce scrap rates and optimize shielding gas and filler metal consumption, in conjunction with the Quality Manager and Continuous Improvement Manager

Mentorship

Train and certify welding technicians and NDT technicians on new techniques and safety protocols

Technical Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Welding Engineering, Materials Science, or Mechanical Engineering.
• Certifications: CWI (Certified Welding Inspector) or CWE (Certified Welding Educator) preferred.
• Level II or III NDT inspector in PT, VT, and MT, with interest in developing RT and interest in becoming a Level III

Experience

• Two to 5 years in a manufacturing environment, specifically with MIG, TIG, Laser, or Resistance welding.
• Progressive experience in NDT methods is preferred.

Hard Skills

• Proficiency in Office software.
• Deep knowledge of metallurgy and heat-affected zones (HAZ).
• Ability to interpret complex blueprints and GD&T symbols.

Soft Skills

Analytical Wit: You can look at a bead and tell the story of the voltage, travel speed, and gas flow that created it.

Communication: Ability to explain complex thermal dynamics to stakeholders and practical techniques to operators.

Grit: You aren’t afraid to get your boots dirty on the shop floor to solve a problem.

Why Howell Laboratories, Inc?

We provide a high-energy environment where your technical decisions directly impact the safety and success of our global clients.

Our Legacy

Howell Laboratories, Inc. has delivered mission-critical marine solutions for over six decades. Since becoming employee-owned in 1995, we have leveraged a culture of high productivity to develop cutting-edge air and water treatment systems for the US Navy and Coast Guard. From desiccant dehydrators to electrolytic disinfectant generators, we specialize in solving complex problems with custom-engineered technology built for the sea.

Howell Laboratories and its divisions: ODAT Machine and GDL Powder Coating, is a 100% employee-owned (ESOP) engineering and manufacturing company based in Bridgton and Gorham, ME.  We are committed to providing our knowledge, expertise, and integrity to partners who require solutions on which they can stake their lives and livelihoods. We turn innovation into creation.

Our Values: Ownership, Accountability, Integrity, Feedback, Empathy, Openness

Benefits: Comprehensive health, 401(k) matching, and professional development stipends.

How to Apply

Send your resume and a brief cover letter highlighting your most challenging "fix", explaining the problem, the root cause(s), and the implemented solution.

Howell Laboratories, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees/owners.

This role requires access to U.S. export-controlled information. Therefore, employment will be contingent upon the ability to prove that you meet the status of a U.S. Person as one of the following: U.S. lawful permanent resident, U.S. Citizen, have been granted asylee or refugee status (i.e., a protected individual under the Immigration and Naturalization Act, 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)).