Head of Welding and Development

Overview

In this role you lead the Welding and Development function, shaping welding strategy and standards across the business. You will drive innovation, quality and compliance for safety-critical programmes in defence and advanced manufacturing. You’ll partner with Engineering, Production, Quality, Safety and Supply Chain to enable efficient, compliant production and long-term programme success. This is a high-visibility leadership role with a strong impact on national capability and security. You’ll be a technical leader and mentor, advancing people and processes.

Pay / Benefits

• Generous holiday allowance
• Matched pension with life assurance
• Digital GP and health checks (Aviva DigiCare+)
• Employee share scheme
• Reservists in the armed forces receive 10-days special paid leave
• Be Kind Day

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver the organisational welding strategy aligned to production and business objectives
• Lead and manage the Welding and Development team, setting direction and performance expectations
• Own and govern all welding standards, procedures and technical specifications
• Drive innovation and continuous improvement through R&D and adoption of emerging technologies
• Partner with Engineering, Production, Quality, Safety and Supply Chain; act as principal welding SME for customers and auditors

Key requirements

• Proven leadership delivering welding strategy in a complex manufacturing or fabrication environment
• Deep technical expertise in welding standards, procedures, defect investigation and root cause analysis
• Experience developing workforce capability through training and upskilling
• Demonstrated leadership of innovation, research and continuous improvement in welding
• Strong stakeholder management across multidisciplinary teams and external bodies
• Expert knowledge of major welding processes: MIG, MAG, TIG, MMA, FCAW, SAW
• Understanding of metallurgy, weld design, heat treatment and material behaviour
• Advanced competence in welding inspection, NDT methods and quality systems
• Experience with robotic or automated welding systems (highly desirable)

• stakeholder management
• leadership
• communication
• welding processes (MIG, MAG, TIG, MMA, FCAW, SAW)
• metallurgy
• weld design and heat treatment

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