Manager - Quality Control Welding

SEC Energy Products & Services L.P. is a full-service packaging, fabrication, and equipment provider serving the natural gas compression and midstream energy markets. SEC designs and manufactures compressor packages and a wide range of fabricated process equipment including separators, dehydrators, storage tanks, pig launchers and receivers, fuel gas systems, metering skids, and condensate stabilization equipment.

In addition to manufacturing, SEC provides engineering, revamp services, parts, field service, commissioning, and turnkey installation solutions for customers across the energy industry. While SEC maintains an entrepreneurial and collaborative culture, our team supports world-class customers and large-scale energy infrastructure projects.

Our focus is simple: deliver high-quality equipment, respond quickly to customer needs, and continuously improve how we operate.

Summary:

The Quality Manager is responsible for leading SEC's Quality Management System (QMS) for Houston manufacturing operations. This role ensures compliance with applicable industry codes, customer specifications, and internal standards across fabrication, compressor packaging, testing, and final shipment activities.

The Quality Manager provides leadership for quality assurance and quality control programs, drives continuous improvement initiatives, manages supplier quality, and ensures consistent product integrity. This position partners closely with engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain teams to maintain high standards of quality, regulatory compliance, and operational performance.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Quality System Leadership

• Lead and maintain the company's Quality Management System to ensure compliance with ASME, AWS, and applicable piping codes.
• Maintain and improve the SEC Quality Control Manual and associated procedures.
• Coordinate Authorized Inspector (AI) activities and support ASME code stamp audits.
• Ensure manufacturing processes meet applicable industry standards and customer specifications.
  
  

Manufacturing Quality Oversight

Oversee quality control activities across fabrication, welding, assembly, testing, and final inspection.

• Ensure proper implementation of Inspection and Test Plans (ITPs).
• Review and approve quality documentation and manufacturing records.
• Monitor production quality to ensure compliance with code requirements and project specifications.
  
  

Continuous Improvement & Problem Solving

• Lead root cause investigations for nonconformances, defects, and customer quality issues.
• Implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) to eliminate recurring issues.
• Identify opportunities to improve manufacturing quality, efficiency, and consistency.
• Develop and monitor quality metrics such as defect rates, rework, supplier performance, and customer returns.
  
  

Welding & Code Compliance

• Administer welding qualifications including WPS, PQR, and welder qualification records.
• Ensure welding and fabrication activities meet ASME and AWS requirements.
• Provide technical guidance on welding processes and fabrication quality requirements.
  
  

Supplier Quality Management

• Conduct supplier quality audits and assess vendor quality performance.
• Partner with procurement to ensure suppliers meet SEC quality standards.
• Manage supplier corrective actions when quality issues arise.
  
  

Team Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and develop the Quality team including inspectors and technicians.
• Provide training on quality procedures, inspection practices, and code requirements.
• Support workforce development and succession planning within the department.
  
  

Customer & Third-Party Interface

• Serve as the primary contact for customer quality representatives and third-party inspectors.
• Support customer and regulatory audits.
• Ensure customer specifications and contractual quality requirements are implemented and documented.
  
  

Requirements:

Education and/or Experience, Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. The requirements for this position are listed below:

Education & Experience

• High School Diploma or GED required
• Associate or Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, or related field preferred
• Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) required
• Minimum 8 years of quality experience in fabrication or manufacturing environments
• Minimum 3-5 years of quality leadership or supervisory experience
  
  

Technical Knowledge

• Strong knowledge of ASME Section VIII and Section IX
• Working knowledge of ASME B31.3, B31.4, and B31.8 piping codes
• Experience with pressure vessel and fabrication quality programs
• Experience managing WPS, PQR, and welder qualifications
• Familiarity with Inspection and Test Plans (ITPs) and manufacturing quality documentation
  
  

Quality Management Skills

• Root Cause Analysis and corrective action management
• Nonconformance and defect investigation
• Internal and external audit management
• Supplier quality management
• Quality performance metrics and reporting
• Continuous improvement methodologies (Lean or Six Sigma preferred)
  
  

Systems & Software

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint)
• Experience with ERP systems such as SAP preferred
• Experience with digital quality inspection tools or mobile QC platforms preferred
  
  

Work Environment:

This role operates in a combination of office, fabrication shop, and industrial manufacturing environments.

• Regular exposure to fabrication and assembly operations
• Occasional exposure to loud equipment, welding operations, and heavy manufacturing environments
• Ability to stand, walk, and observe manufacturing activities for extended periods
• Occasional travel may be required