You may not be aware of the requirements for each position, and may be asking yourself, ‘Is welding engineering?’ Read on to understand the difference between a welding engineer and a certified welder. Use this information to make a decision about your career choice.
What is a welding engineer?
A welding engineer often has more knowledge about welding than a certified welder. They have been trained in carrying out metallurgical assessments, and have learned about structural technology and metallurgical science.
A welding engineer is someone who has studied further in the subject of welding. Some welding engineers have Masters degrees in Engineering and have focused on welding as their major. These engineers may research more effective welding techniques or design more efficient equipment to aid in welding training and may even oversee other welders. Some welding engineers have specialised in one field of welding, making them experts in that field.
One could consider the main role of a welding engineer to be that of developing effective procedures and techniques that help their company grow profits. This is not to say that a welding engineer has no welding abilities but simply that their role is different due to their academic qualifications.
What is a certified welder?
A certified welder is a qualified professional who has an understanding of the principles and practices that are currently required to produce any metallurgical formed weld join. They are trained in competency-based certification courses and are tested to ensure that they meet and exceed the standards set by the industry.
Certified welders have a fairly straightforward job of welding materials according to the guidelines of their company. They have been trained to work in any conceivable situation, such as on oil rigs, chemical processing plants or a massive civil engineering project. Their training includes being able to use each different piece of welding equipment effectively and correctly.
The role of a welder could be considered to be one of production, as they are tasked with creating products for their company or for companies who have commissioned their services. The certification achieved is documented to show that the welder is qualified under that code. Welding codes vary, depending on the on the type of work being done, but a certified welder has the certifications and skills needed to perform most jobs.
Why choose welding as a career?
Now that you understand the difference between a welding engineer and a certified welder, you can consider this as a prospective career path.
Income: There is a lack of qualified welders in the industry, which means that you could command an impressive income if you have the right certificates and qualifications. It may be a labour intensive career but you will find that it is a financially rewarding career if you are willing to put in the work. You will be able to work on projects that offer impressive payment due to the shortage of qualified welders.
Learn new techniques and skills: Welding is not just about fusing pieces of metal together. You will be able to learn new skills and techniques such as studying blueprints, doing calculations, maintaining projects and inspecting structures and goods. As a welding engineer, you will also be tasked with project management which is a beneficial skill to have to advance your career.
An abundance of opportunities: Welders do not have to stick to industrial positions such as working on oil rigs or construction sites. You could use your talents to create beautiful metal furniture, help to build custom vehicles for NASCAR and even hone your sculpting skills to produce unique works of art. You could look into the more niche sectors of welding, such as military infrastructure or underwater welding.
Travel opportunities: Welding may not sound like a glamorous position, but with it you will be able to travel to different places to perform jobs, especially if you decide to look for oil rig positions. Welding is needed for a plethora of industries, such as construction work and fixing ships at sea, which means that you will be able to travel to different parts of the country and the world.
Conclusion
A welding engineer and a certified welder are two important roles in the welding industry. If you are interested in learning more about welding and have ideas to create new processes for training and procedures, further education in the field is a sound option for you. If you prefer a more hands-on approach, become certified and build your skills in the field. Welding is a career that offers a lot of opportunities for both roles, and you will find that it is financially rewarding no matter your position.