What does a welding supervisor do?

Welding supervisor responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real welding supervisor resumes:
- Manage what parts are run with each other and when they are run.
- Manage payroll, order all safety equipment, PPE, and spare parts require to keep production rates up.
- Manage weld process controls of GMAW-P, CV both robotic and semi-automatic; to include GTAW both robotic and semi-automatic.
- Manage warranty repair/restoration of company valves involving strict API and ISO requirements/procedures.
- Certify MIG & TIG welding on steel, stainless steel and aluminum.
- Work solo and over crews SMAW, GTAW & FCAW procedures perform
- Fabricate handrails, moment frames, art work and sculptures using SMAW, MIG, and TIG type welding.
- Coordinate welding activities for processes: SMAW, GTAW.
- Group leader over the welding area with experience in MIG, flux core, stick and automatic welding.
- Develop and maintain welding procedure specifications (WPS's) per various construction codes (AWS, ASME, ISO).
- Evaluate semi-skilled and skil welders certify to weld TIG, pulse arc, flux core, spray arc, and stick.
- Plate welding on steel up to 2"in all positions, open root tig welding on pipe in all positions.
- Sign fabricator with AutoCad, CNC machines.
- Perform NDT inspections of welds and base materials
- Guide team to follow establish ISO programs.
Welding supervisor skills and personality traits
We calculated that 8% of Welding Supervisors are proficient in GMAW, Blueprint Specifications, and Aluminum. They’re also known for soft skills such as Detail oriented, Manual dexterity, and Physical strength.
We break down the percentage of Welding Supervisors that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- GMAW, 8%
Supervised welders using SAW, GMAW, FCAW, GTAW, mechanized, robotic welding and carbon arc gouging.
- Blueprint Specifications, 7%
Completed all stages of jobs including materials and fixtures based on blueprint specifications.
- Aluminum, 7%
Hired as Grind Operator and Metal Finisher, taking burrs, edges and finish on stainless steel as well as aluminum.
- AWS, 7%
Monitored code compliance for all applicable codes including but not limited to AWS, ASME, API and AAR.
- Arc Welding, 6%
Demonstrate basic electric arc welding safety practices equipment adjustment material selection, and metal preparation.
- GTAW, 5%
Coordinated welding activities for processes: SMAW, GTAW.
"gmaw," "blueprint specifications," and "aluminum" are among the most common skills that welding supervisors use at work. You can find even more welding supervisor responsibilities below, including:
Detail oriented. The most essential soft skill for a welding supervisor to carry out their responsibilities is detail oriented. This skill is important for the role because "welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers perform precision work, often with straight edges." Additionally, a welding supervisor resume shows how their duties depend on detail oriented: "fabricated jigs, weldments, fixtures and detailed machine parts. "
Manual dexterity. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling welding supervisor duties is manual dexterity. The role rewards competence in this skill because "welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers must have a steady hand to hold a torch in place." According to a welding supervisor resume, here's how welding supervisors can utilize manual dexterity in their job responsibilities: "supervised production employees in areas of robotic mig welding, manual mig, tig welding and cnc flame cutting. "
Physical strength. This is an important skill for welding supervisors to perform their duties. For an example of how welding supervisor responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers must be able to lift heavy pieces of metal and move welding or cutting equipment." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a welding supervisor: "convert all specifications and dimensions as seen on engineered drawings to actual physical components on structural steel components. ".
The three companies that hire the most welding supervisors are:
- Metalcraft of Mayville3 welding supervisors jobs
- SpaceX3 welding supervisors jobs
- Virginia's Community Colleges3 welding supervisors jobs
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Welding supervisor vs. Quality assurance supervisor
A quality assurance supervisor oversees and leads the quality control operations within a manufacturing plant or similar establishment. They are primarily responsible for crafting and implementing policies that prioritize the efficiency of products or services, supervising and evaluating the performances of the workforce, and setting standards and procedures that align not just with the goals of the company, but the national and international level of production standards. Furthermore, as a supervisor in the field, it is crucial to encourage and shape quality assurance workers into valuable members of the company.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between welding supervisors and quality assurance supervisor. For instance, welding supervisor responsibilities require skills such as "gmaw," "blueprint specifications," "aluminum," and "aws." Whereas a quality assurance supervisor is skilled in "food safety," "product quality," "corrective action," and "gmp." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Quality assurance supervisors earn the highest salaries when working in the health care industry, with an average yearly salary of $80,377. On the other hand, welding supervisors are paid more in the professional industry with an average salary of $56,748.quality assurance supervisors tend to reach higher levels of education than welding supervisors. In fact, quality assurance supervisors are 5.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.4% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Welding supervisor vs. Shift production supervisor
A shift production supervisor is in charge of overseeing business operations, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. Their responsibilities revolve around devising strategies to reach production standards and production targets, supervising and assessing staff performance, delegating tasks, managing schedules, and prioritizing customer satisfaction. They may also produce progress reports and presentations, address and resolve any issues or concerns, and train new workforce members. Furthermore, as a supervisor, it is essential to lead and encourage team members, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that welding supervisor responsibilities requires skills like "gmaw," "blueprint specifications," "aluminum," and "aws." But a shift production supervisor might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "continuous improvement," "lean manufacturing," "osha," and "lean six sigma."
On average, shift production supervisors earn a lower salary than welding supervisors. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, shift production supervisors earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $37,043. Whereas welding supervisors have higher pay in the professional industry, with an average salary of $56,748.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Shift production supervisors tend to reach similar levels of education than welding supervisors. In fact, they're 1.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Welding supervisor vs. Quality control supervisor
A quality control supervisor specializes in carrying out and implementing systems and procedures that ensure product quality within an organization. They are primarily responsible for devising priorities and standards, managing schedules to abide by the production timeline, monitoring activities, coordinating with production and quality control personnel, assessing employee performance, and thoroughly discussing new systems for all staff. There are also instances when a quality control supervisor must perform clerical tasks such as producing progress reports and assessments, responding to calls and correspondence, even disseminating notices.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from welding supervisor resumes include skills like "gmaw," "blueprint specifications," "aluminum," and "aws," whereas a quality control supervisor is more likely to list skills in "product quality," "food safety," "lab equipment," and "gmp. "
Quality control supervisors make a very good living in the pharmaceutical industry with an average annual salary of $74,165. On the other hand, welding supervisors are paid the highest salary in the professional industry, with average annual pay of $56,748.When it comes to education, quality control supervisors tend to earn similar degree levels compared to welding supervisors. In fact, they're 2.8% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.4% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Welding supervisor vs. Operation shift supervisor
An operation shift supervisor oversees the company's day-to-day operations and employee performance. As an operation shift supervisor, you will perform a number of tasks that include assigning tasks to staff, ensuring all operations and sales run smoothly, and responding to inquiries and complaints from customers. In addition, you are expected to monitor the work habits of employees and to motivate them by offering incentives for excellent performance. You are also responsible for maintaining customer satisfaction and retention and responding to emergencies, unexpected problems, and crises.
Types of welding supervisor
Updated January 8, 2025











