Research Engineer - Welding

Essential Functions

Lead welding projects, review welding specifications and develop optimal welding practices for commercial and branded steel, and overlay products in accordance with industry standards and codes (AWS, ASME, API, etc.), or internal specifications.

Assists in the design, execution and reporting of product/process development and/or quality improvement trials.

Oversee R&D’s welding, thermal cutting and ultrasonic inspection equipment.

Interact with plant operating and technical services personnel on project or technical service activities (planning, execution and reporting).

Absorb responsibility for maintaining the welder qualification program at SSAB mills in North America.

Review engineering designs for welding requirements and manage weldability testing and welding qualifications for commercial and branded plate products.

Interpret data and provide recommendations to Operations or Commercial management with limited guidance from supervisor or team leader.

Provide training for operations welding personnel.

Conduct failure analysis of welded components.

Provide consulting services and support customers with welding related issues.

Participate in weld-focused technical groups and professional organizations both internally and externally.

Prepare clear and concise written reports as required.

May present technical papers within and outside the company.

Provide technical direction and supervision to research technicians and/or coop students working on welding related projects.

Review and interpret nondestructive examination (NDE) procedures and specifications.

Establish working procedures for conducting NDE inspections utilizing conventional ultrasonic inspection and phased-array.

Required Education, Experience, and Competencies

MSc. in Welding or Mechanical Engineering or related discipline

Strong technical writing and organizational skills

Strong analytical capabilities

Good written and verbal communication skills

Good computer skills

Preferred

PhD in Welding or Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline

Professional Engineer or Certified Welding Engineer (CWE) licensed welding engineer

Good knowledge of metallurgy, welding metallurgy and weldability testing of steel

Hands-on experience with arc welding processes (GMAW, GTAW, FCAW, SMAW, SAW, etc.)

Experience with welding of dissimilar materials and ultra-high strength steels

Experience in using metallographic lab equipment and processes, including sample preparation, optical (LOM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD)

Experience with mechanical testing and characterization of weldments, including bend testing, cross weld tensile testing, HAZ CVN testing, microhardness testing, chemical etching, and weldability testing methods to determine susceptibility to hydrogen cracking

Experience in non-destructive testing (NDT), including ultrasonic testing (UT), dye-penetrant testing (PT), and magnetic particle testing (MT)

Experience with industry codes and standards, including but not limited to AWS, ASME, ASTM, API, ABS, Lloyds, EN/ISO

Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports

This position has no supervisory responsibilities but must maintain a close working relationship with R&D staff and other personnel.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

The Employee Will Frequently Be Required To:

• Work in an office environment.
• Routinely use standard office equipment such as computers, network tools/equipment, phones, photocopiers and scanners.
• Be partially sedentary (average of 6 hours per day), however, some standing and walking is required.
• Work with laboratory equipment such as optical microscopes, SEM/EDS/EBSD, welding, bend testing, polishing machines, hardness testing, tensile testing, CVN testing, DWTT machine, band saws, thermal cutting, waterjet cutting, surface grinder, heat treating furnaces, and crane.
• Prepare various acid solutions for etching steel specimens such as sulfuric acid, picric acid, oxalic, nital etc.

The Employee Will Occasionally Be Required To:

• Work in the mill and in the field environment with some exposure to heat/cold, walking, climbing stairs/ladders, noise and wearing safety equipment/clothing for protection from hazards
• Some handling of materials is required.

Position Type – Work Hours - Travel Requirements:

• Position is full time, exempt and works regular day shift Monday through Friday – additional hours as needed
• Travel 25% of time in the field or at other SSAB locations

Other Duties:

• Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that may be required of the employee for this job.
• Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

SSAB BENEFITS – starting at hire!

• Excellent Pay with Additional Bonus
• Very Affordable Health Insurance
• ü Blue Cross/Blue Shield Medical
• ü CVS/Caremark Prescription
• ü Delta Dental
• Superior Vision
• 401(k) with Employer Match – 5%
• Profit Sharing10
• Vacation
• Company Paid Life Insurance - and STD and LTD*
• Optional Life, Hospital Indemnity, Critical Illness
• Healthcare and Dependent Care
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program