Research Analyst - Welding

Job purpose:

Assists in the conduct of research and development activities that require a high degree of skill and knowledge in a technical field.

Duties and responsibilities:

•    Works closely with the Research Welding Engineer and others for all welding-related tasks to achieve project goals and to meet specific technical objectives and schedules
•    Operates arc welding equipment and serves as the primary welding operator for product qualifications and research projects
•    Interprets welding codes and standards for the qualification of welding procedures and welding operators
•    Records essential variables during welding, analyzes and interprets results, and writes technical reports
•    Serves as the designated Welding Inspector for the qualification of welding operators
•    Assists with inspection of plates and weldments via Nondestructive Phased Array Ultrasonic Inspection
•    Oversees the welding laboratory, maintains equipment, and ensures availability of consumables
•    Serves as back-up operator for the plasma cutting table and assists with sample preparation  
•    Makes verbal presentations and instructs peers and plant personnel on technical subjects
•    Uses technical competency to provide consulting services and diagnose and resolve problems with existing equipment or systems
•    Performs assigned tasks with minimal supervision in the R&D laboratories

Qualifications: Competencies, Education and Experience:

Required Education:

• Associates degree or equivalent work experience

Preferred Education:

• Bachelors degree

Required Experience:

• Willingness to learn new welding techniques
• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Good computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office products
• Ability to work in a team environment
• Regular and reliable attendance

Preferred Experience:

• Proficiency in welding - GMAW, SMAW, FCAW, GTAW
• Knowledge of welding of low alloy and high strength steels
• Familiarity with industry welding standards
• Experience with SAW
• Experience with hard facing applications
• Ability to read blueprints
• Prior experience in a manufacturing environment
• Experience in metallography and mechanical testing
• Familiarity with Ultrasonics Nondestructive Testing

Working conditions:

The employee will frequently be required to:

• This position operates in both an office and lab environment.  The role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, network tools/equipment, phones, photocopiers and scanners.
• The position requires working with laboratory equipment such as optical microscopes, SEM/EDS, bend testing, polishing machines, hardness testing, tensile testing, CVN testing, DWTT machine, band saws, thermal cutting, waterjet cutting, surface grinder, heat treating furnaces, forklift and crane.
• The position requires preparing various acid solutions for etching steel specimens such as sulfuric acid, picric acid, oxalic, nital etc.
• This role is partially sedentary and partially standing/walking.

The employee will occasionally be required to:

• This position will periodically require work in the mill and in the field environment with some exposure to heat/cold, climbing stairs/ladders, noise and wearing safety equipment/clothing for protection from hazards
• Some handling of materials is required.  This would require the ability to walk, bend, kneel or stand, use of hands to finger, hold and handle, reach with hands and arms and to push/pull, lift or carry items up to 50 lbs.
• Drive or travel by airplane

The position requires the following vision and hearing capabilities:

• Talking person to person, on the phone, and/or in group settings
• Hearing in person, on the phone, and/or in group settings
• Vision at near, mid, and far range

Position Type – Work Hours – Travel Requirements:

• Position is full time, exempt
• Position works an eight (8) hour day shift, Monday through Friday – additional overtime as needed
• Travel for this position is necessary and expected to comprise up to 10% of work hours – some international travel is possible
• Onsite office presence is required