Welding Specialist

The Company

Prax Lindsey Oil Refinery, located in North Lincolnshire, is a key asset of the Prax Group, a British multinational energy conglomerate dealing in crude oil, petroleum products and biofuels and is the only British refiner remaining in the UK energy market.

The refinery processes up to 5.4 million tonnes of crude oil per year (up to 113,000 barrels a day) and incorporates some of the most advanced refining and conversion processes in Europe, supplying products by road, rail, sea and pipeline.

We are investing heavily for the long-term with a plan to develop a leading, low carbon next generation refinery, serving our customers for decades to come. We are actively looking for new talent to join us as we continue on our current growth trajectory. 

The Candidate

We are currently recruiting for a Welding Specialist to lead and oversee welding activities across our operations. This role plays a vital part in ensuring high-quality, safe, and efficient welding practices that meet industry codes and regulatory standards. Working closely with engineering, production, external fabrication vendors and quality control teams, the Welding Specialist drives continuous improvement and ensures compliance. The position also involves the supervision of both staff and contract welding inspectors, providing expert guidance and maintaining excellence in welding performance.

Key responsibilities include:

Welding Process Management:

• Develop and Implement Welding Procedures: Design, develop, and implement welding procedures, processes, and internal procedures/standards in compliance with relevant codes and specifications (e.g., ASME, AWS, API).
• Optimize Overall efficiency and techniques: Continuously assesses internal processes, procedures, welding techniques, equipment, and practices to drive efficiency, enhance productivity, and maintain high-quality standards.
• Monitor Welding Operations: Oversee welding operations to ensure compliance with procedures, safety standards, and quality requirements.

Quality Control & Assurance:

• Ensure Quality Standards: Ensure all welding work meets or exceeds industry standards and client specifications, including visual inspections, mechanical testing, and NDT results.
• Troubleshoot Welding Issues: Address and resolve welding-related issues, defects, and failures, using root cause analysis and problem-solving techniques.
• Conduct Quality Audits: Perform routine quality audits and inspections on welded components and processes, ensuring continuous improvement.

Training & Technical Support:

• Provide Training: Train and mentor quality personnel and welding Inspectors on code compliance, welding techniques, safety practices, and company-specific procedures.
• Technical Expertise: Provide expert advice on welding methods, material selection, and the application of welding processes for challenging projects or repairs.
• Support Other Departments: Work closely with design, engineering, and quality teams to provide technical guidance on welding issues and challenges.

Compliance & Documentation:

• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure all welding operations adhere to the required local, national, and international welding codes, standards, and regulations (e.g. ASME, API, AWS).
• Maintain Documentation: Maintain comprehensive documentation for welding processes, inspections, test results, certifications, and compliance with specifications.
• Create Welding Documentation: Develop quality control plans and associated records, ensuring full traceability and proper documentation before uploading to the designated system for future reference.

Project Support & Coordination:

• Project Management: Support welding projects from the design phase through to execution, ensuring welding procedures and techniques are aligned with project requirements.
• Liaise with Contractors: Coordinate with subcontractors and third-party vendors to ensure welding work meets the national and company's internal quality standards.
• Risk Management: Identify potential shortcomings related to welding and quality and implement risk mitigation strategies to support both current operations and future improvements.

Qualifications/Experience Required:

• EWF/IIW - Certified Welding Specialist (IWS) diploma minimum.
• Certified Welding Specialist (IWS).
• PCN Level 2 – Radiographic Interpretation.
• Other applicable certifications from organisations such as ASME, AWS (American Welding Society) or equivalent international standards may be required.
• CSWIP or Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) certification may be required depending on the job scope.
• Extensive experience (typically 5+ years) in quality, inspection, welding and fabrication, with expertise in various welding processes (e.g., TIG, MIG, Stick, Submerged Arc Welding).
• Experience with materials, welding codes, and welding procedures related to manufacturing, construction, or energy sectors.
• Proven track record of troubleshooting and resolving complex welding issues.
• Deep knowledge of welding metallurgy, welding codes, and inspection methods (including NDT, ultrasonic testing, and X-ray inspection).
• Strong understanding of welding design, joint preparation, and material selection for different types of welding applications.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to perform root cause analysis on welding defects or failures.
• Ability to interpret complex engineering drawings, welding symbols, and specifications.
• Strong leadership and mentoring abilities, with experience in training and developing welding teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for creating reports and interacting with various teams and stakeholders.

A comprehensive remuneration package is offered for this position which includes a competitive salary and attractive employee benefits such as company pension, private healthcare, performance bonus.

External applicants can apply by clicking on this link: https://careers.prax.com/job-invite/3450