Welding Foreman is a responsible person who oversees welding operations within a construction or manufacturing setting. Welding Foremen supervise welding activities, ensuring safety compliance, coordinating workflow, and maintaining quality standards. They manage a team of welders and ensure the completion of welding projects efficiently on time and within budget. Aspiring individuals with a leadership mindset are suitable for this profession. The role requires certain qualifications, education, experience, skills, etc. In this article, read all about welding foreman job description in detail.
Post Highlights:
- Position Levels
- Education Level
- Course Types
- Certification/License
- Work Experience
- Duties/Responsibilities
- Equipment Types
- Abilities/Skills
- Work Environment
- Physical Demands
- Resume Format
- Top Industries
- Job Types
- Salary Information
- Benefits/Perks
Position Levels
Some common job levels include-
- Entry-Level Welding Foreman
- Intermediate-Level Welding Foreman
- Senior-Level Welding Foreman
- Lead Welding Foreman or Welding Supervisor
- Welding Manager or Welding Department Head
Education Level
Some typical education levels include-
- High School Diploma or Equivalent
- Associate’s Degree in Welding Technology
- Bachelor’s Degree in Welding Engineering, Materials Science (optional)
- AWS Relevant Welding Certification
- ASME Relevant Welding Certification
- Management and Leadership Training (Optional)
Course Types
Some common course types include-
- Certification Preparation Course
- Customized In-house Training Program
- Metallurgy Course
- Online Welding Course/Workshop
- Project Management Course
- Safety/OSHA Compliance Course
- Specialized Welding Course
- Supervisory/Leadership Course
- Welding Equipment Maintenance Course
- Welding Technology Course
- Welding Inspection Course
Certification/License
Some common certification types include-
- Certified Welding Educator (CWE) by AWS
- Certified Welding Engineer (CWE) by AWS
- Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) by AWS
- Certified Welding Specialist (CWS) by AWS
- Certified Welding Supervisor (CWS) by AWS
- IIW Relevant Welding Certification by IIW
- Industry-Specific Certification
- OSHA Safety Certification
Work Experience
Some common experience types include-
- Industry-specific experience
- Material/metallurgy knowledge
- Project management experience
- Quality control/inspection experience
- Safety management experience
- Supervisory/leadership experience
- Troubleshooting experience
- Welding technique experience
Duties/Responsibilities
Some primary duties include-
- Address any team members or stakeholders’ concerns
- Address welding defects/issues promptly
- Adhere to project specifications
- Allocate resources efficiently
- Collaborate with the team to ensure project success
- Comply with industry standards/codes strictly
- Conduct safety meetings for safety best practices
- Coordinate with other departments/teams
- Enforce safety protocols/regulations
- Ensure welding projects meet specified quality standards
- Facilitate clear communication between relevant teams
- Generate reports for management/stakeholders
- Implement best practices overall
- Maintain accurate records of welding projects
- Maintain welding equipment/tools
- Manage a team of welders and responsibilities
- Manage inventory of welding materials/supplies
- Manage the budget for welding projects
- Monitor performance and conduct evaluation
- Optimize resources to minimize project costs
- Plan and schedule welding projects
- Prepare reports for audits/inspections
- Prepare welding project cost estimates/budgets
- Provide training to junior welders
- Provide welding personnel guidance/instruction
- Report any accidents/safety incidents
- Stay updated on industry advancements
- Troubleshoot equipment problems
- Troubleshoot welding-related issues
Equipment Types
Some common equipment types include-
- Welding Machines–
Arc Welders (stick welders)
MIG (Metal Inert Gas) welders
TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welders
- Cutting Equipment
- Gas Cylinders/Regulators
- Welding Accessories
- Welding Consumables
- Welding Guns/Torches-
- Welding Inspection/Testing Equipment
- Welding Positioners/Manipulators
- Welding Power Sources-
- Welding Safety Equipment
- Welding Tables/Fixtures
Abilities/Skills
Some key skills include-
- Ability to collaborate effectively
- Ability to enforce safety procedures
- Ability to oversee equipment maintenance
- Ability to troubleshoot welding defects
- Attention to detail
- Communication skills
- Conflict resolution/team-building skills
- Continuous learning skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Customer service orientation
- Decision-making skills
- Effective delegation/workload management skills
- Financial acumen
- Knowledge of various welding processes
- Knowledge of welding equipment procedures
- Metallurgy/different materials knowledge
- Problem-solving skills
- Proficiency in quality control techniques
- Proficiency in reading blueprints/welding symbols
- Proficient in maintaining accurate records
- Project management skills
- Strict regulatory compliance
- Strong leadership/supervisory skills
- Time management skills
- Training/mentorship skills
- Understanding of welding safety protocols
Work Environment
Some common working conditions include-
- Collaboration with other departments
- Conduct safety inspections/risk assessments
- Exposure to noise/fumes
- Keep accurate project records
- Keep equipment regular maintenance/checks
- Manage/supervise a team of welders
- May interact with customers
- May need to travel to different job sites
- May need to work irregular hours
- May stay overnight or extended periods away from home
- Need to adapt to extreme temperatures
- Use respiratory protection as required
- Wear hearing protection necessarily
- Wear personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Work in a variety of settings
- Work with a variety of welding equipment
Physical Demands
Some common physical demands include-
- Addressing safety concerns promptly
- Equipment maintenance may require physical effort
- Handle welding equipment/materials
- Inspect/carry out repairs
- May be required to lift/carry heavy materials
- May need to bend, stoop, or kneel
- May need to endure various weather conditions
- May need to work at heights
- May require physical endurance
- Must follow safety precautions
- Primarily oversee welding operations
- Require balance and climbing ability
- Stand for extended periods
- Wear personal protective equipment (PPE)
Resume Format
A suggested resume format includes-
Contact Information
- Your Name
- Address (optional)
- Phone Number
- Email Address
Objective/Summary
- Highlight your career goals and qualifications briefly
Professional Experience
- List your work experience (most recent position first)
- This includes the following details for each job-
Job title
Company name and location
Employment dates (start/end dates)
Responsibilities/Achievements
- Describe your duties concisely
- Focus on your supervisory responsibilities
- Highlight your leadership
- Mention any certifications or awards
Education
- List your educational background (most recent first)
- This includes the following details-
Degree earned
School or institution name
Location of the school
Graduation date (if applicable)
Certifications
- List any relevant certifications
- Include the certifying organization and the date of certification also
Skills
- Consider categorizing your skills
- List your technical and soft skills
Professional Affiliations (Optional)
- Add this if you are a member of a professional organization (e.g., AWS)
Additional Sections (Optional)
- List Awards/Honors
- Show Publications
- Reveal Professional Development
References
- Generally, not necessary (available upon request)
Resume Formatting Tips
- Keep your resume short (1-2 pages)
- Keep your resume’s layout consistent
- Proofread carefully (no grammar and spelling errors)
- Use a professional font (11-12 points)
- Use bullet points for more readability
Top Industries
Some common employment areas include-
- Aerospace/Aviation Industry
- Automotive/Transportation Industry
- Construction Equipment Rental/Repair Company
- Construction Industry
- Defense Industry
- Educational Institutions/Training Center
- Engineering/Consulting Firm
- Fabrication/Welding Shops
- Freelance/Contract Work
- Government Agencies
- Manufacturing Companies
- Mining/Minerals Industry
- Oil/Gas Industry
- Power Plants/Energy Facility
- Shipbuilding/Maritime Industry
Job Types
Some common job types include-
- Aerospace/Aviation Welding Foreman
- Automotive Welding Foreman
- Construction Equipment Welding Foreman
- Construction Welding Foreman
- Educational Institution Welding Foreman
- Engineering/Consulting Firm Welding Foreman
- Fabrication Shop Foreman
- Freelance/Contract Welding Foreman
- Government/Defense Welding Foreman
- Manufacturing Welding Foreman
- Mining/Minerals Welding Foreman
- Oil/Gas Welding Foreman
- Power Plant/Energy Welding Foreman
- Shipbuilding Welding Foreman
Salary Information
On average, a Welding Foreman earns $30 per hour in the United States. But factors like education, experience, skills, certification, location, company size, and employer type affect salary trends.
However, the approximate salary ranges for Welding Foremen include.
Hourly Wage
- Entry-level – $20 to $30
- Experienced – $30 to $45 or more
Monthly Salary
- Entry-level – $3,200 to $4,800
- Experienced – $4,800 to $7,200 or more
Yearly Salary
- Entry-level – $38,400 to $57,600
- Experienced – $57,600 to $86,400 or more
These salary figures are just estimates, and actual ranges can vary from location to location depending on various market trends and labor demands in the very area. Additionally, Welding Foremen with specialized skills and certifications may earn higher salaries.
Benefits/Perks
Some common benefits include-
- Bonuses/Performance Incentives
- Company Vehicles
- Disability Insurance
- Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)
- Employee Recognition Programs
- Flexible Work Arrangements
- Health Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Professional Development
- Relocation Assistance (if applicable)
- Retirement Plans (401k)
- Safety Gear/Uniforms Provision
- Tools/Equipment Allowance
- Tuition Reimbursement
Summary
Welding Foremen are crucial figures in overseeing welding operations and managing teams of welders across various industries. Success in this role requires a combination of leadership skills, technical expertise, and a commitment to safety/quality standards. These individuals can find employment in shipbuilding, manufacturing, construction, oil and gas, and many other industries. They earn good salaries along with many job benefits and perks. Overall, welding foremen are the operational backbone of a successful industry.
