Lead Welding Engineer
I have worked as a welder fabricator since leaving school but it was not until I started working for my previous employer that I made the decision to gain further education and understand more about the welding process and all its associated topics. I currently hold a diploma at IWE /EWE level. In my previous role it was my responsibility to ensure that all welding and associated activities were undertaken accordingly within production.
I was responsible for the qualification of all welding procedures and welder qualification which were done to such standards as ASME IX and BS EN ISO 9606-1 2013. I worked closely with QA and Design to ensure that the company products were manufactured and designed accordingly and that they were of an acceptable level of quality. I had input on a daily basis with the NDT side of things which can range from visual interpretation to radiographic interpretation.
Since starting the role in 2011 I achieved the prestigious ISO 3834-2 certification for the company and this is something I take great pride in achieving, this involved working with, maintaining and improving the current welding system. I have over 20 years' experience as a welder fabricator, and I believe this gives me an edge when implementing new procedures and methods for welding. In my previous role, it was my responsibility to work along with the Welding certification manager to produce WPQR`s and WPQ`s to both European and non-European standards, such as ASME IX, BS EN ISO 15614-1, AWS D1.1.
This involves a significant amount of costing and quoting for these jobs along with the customer liaison, which is undertaken by myself. Also in this role, I have indirect authority over all CSWIP welding examiners associated with both colleges and organisations throughout the UK (estimate 70 in total) that report to me on a technical level. In this role, I have also worked closely with the welding certification manger to help produce and deliver the new Trailblazer apprenticeship, which has resulted in an increase of work and to the appointment of new staff to work alongside us.
As well as being made main point of contact for all welding certification enquiries from TWI SEA (TWI South East Asia) I do work for other departments such as PAG and TES (Professional affairs and Training and Examination services) within TWI which is very rewarding and helps promote self-learning.
September 2020 I now undertake the diploma reviews for all applicants alongside all certified diploma applications.
Lead Welding Engineer - Bureau Veritas - on site projects
(2024-10)
Attending daily meetings for production and inspection requirements. The mill where I am based has approx. 35 separate contractors all of whom have their own specific needs with production. I work closely with each out outfit planning the weeks work and addressing production concerns.
Welding certification manager - TWI Certification Limited
(2017-09 - 2024-03)
In this role it is my responsibility to work along with the Welding Product Manager to produce WPQR`s and WPQ`s to both European and non-European standards, such as ASME IX, BS EN ISO 15614-1, AWS D1.1. This involves a significant amount of costing and quoting for these jobs along with the customer liaison, which is undertaken by the product manager and myself. Also in this role, I have indirect authority over all CSWIP welding examiners associated with both colleges and organisations throughout the UK (estimate 50 in total) that report to me on a technical level.
In this role, I have also worked closely with the product manager to help produce and deliver the new Trailblazer apprenticeship, which has resulted in an increase of work and to the appointment of new staff to work alongside us. As well as being made main point of contact for all welding certification enquiries from TWI SEA (TWI South East Asia) I do work for other departments such as PAG and TES (Professional affairs and Training and Examination services) within TWI which is very rewarding and helps promote self-learning. I also carry out EPA assessments to both level 2 and 3 for plate and pipe along with multi position
Certification and Verification Engineer - TWI
(2015-09 - 2017-09)
As part of the certification team it is part of my duties to visit companies in the UK and potentially the world to inspect and audit them against the requirements of ISO 3834 and BS EN 1090 to ascertain their suitability and to verify that they meet the requirements of these standards. Working closely with the colleges to accredit against CSWTO (certification scheme for welder training organisations) scheme. Oversee internal examinations for many different schemes such as CSWIP and ATA.
Also as part of my current role I have been tasked with completing various mapping exercises against existing requirements and seeing how they match up with other BS EN ISO standards. As of September 2017 my role was changed to undertake the generation of WPQ & WPQR`s which are now being generated by TWI CL.
Welding Coordinator/Welding Engineer - Wessington Cryogenics
(2011-06 - 2015-09)
Oversee every day welding duties within the company, responsible for all welding and associated activities. Also work closely with QA and Design to help achieve the desired quality standard. Working with the shop floor and production to help resolve any issues and problems which may occur.
Working with and dealing with 2nd party inspection and customers on a daily basis to help provide technical data and reassurances for various design and fabrication methods. Part of the role was to monitor existing welding activities and processes and keep up to date with the latest innovations and technology available. I would also be responsible for the daily duties and tass for up to 75 fabricator welders ensuring their daily duties were planned out in accordance with the production requirements.
Morning production meetings were held daily were any issues or concerns would be raised and addressed.
Welder Fabricator - Wessington Cryogenics
(2006-07 - 2011-06)
Fabricator welder manufacturing pressure vessels to various design codes such as ASME VIII Div. 1 and other various European design standards.
Welder Fabricator - Armthorpe Fabrication
(2002-04 - 2006-08)
General fabrications and wrought iron steel work including handrails, staircases, fire escapes and all manner of weird and wonderful designs.
Trainee Fabricator welder / Engineer - Agriquip Agricultural
(1992-05 - 2001)
Started my career in welding and engineering by undertaking a multitude of various roles from welding and fabrication and some inspection and design. Work for many years until my apprenticeship finished and was then offered a full time position which I thoroughly enjoyed
MSc - welding engineering - Cranfield university (2025)
HNC - Mechanical Engineering - South Tyneside College (2014)
ONC - Fabrication and welding technologies - South Tyneside College (2012)
GNVQ - Fabrication and Welding - Handbridge College in Chester
City and Guilds 201 - Fabrication and welding and basic engineering 201 - Plas Coch College Wrexham (1995)
