Global Welding & Materials SME

Houston, TX

July 2026

Job Purpose

• The Global Welding & Metallurgical Subject Matter Expert (SME) acts as STATS' technical authority, providing technical leadership, assurance, and governance in welding engineering, metallurgy, and materials performance.

  The role is responsible for the development and ongoing management of the global STATS welding and materials governance program, ensuring compliance with applicable codes, standards, and client specifications. It also provides technical leadership for STATS' in-service welding program, including weld procedure development, procedure qualification records, field support, and client-facing communication.

  The role supports global manufacturing through the development of new and specialized welding applications, material selection, testing and post weld heat treatment planning, collaboration with customer welding and materials SMEs, continuous improvement of fabrication and quality processes, and support for vendor audits and product acceptance.

Directly Reports To

• Global Manager of Quality

Internal Relationships

•  Manufacturing, Operations and Engineering Teams 

external relationships

•  Clients, Stakeholders, Vendors 

Along With 

•  Regional Manufacturing Managers, Engineering Leads, Quality Control Leads and Project Managers  

Main Responsibilities

Technical Authority

• Act as the technical authority for all welding and materials-related matters
• Develop new WPS and review existing WPS.
• Provide weld procedure and material selection guidance for critical applications.
• Review and approval of internal and external welding and material deviation requests.
• Troubleshoot production and field based welding problems including in-service welding.
• Provide expert input into:
• Fitness-for-service assessments & failure investigations (RCA)
• Corrosion mechanisms related to carbon steel and stainless steel 

Governance, Standards & Compliance

• Develop global program-level governance for welding.
• Develop and maintain company technical specifications, material standards, and welding standards.
• Support internal, client, and third-party audits.
• Develop welding and materials training programs and competency frameworks for welding personnel, quality control personnel, and inspectors.

Fabrication Procedure Development & Continuous Improvement

• Develop, review and approve company material specifications as needed to support manufacturing and manufacturing procurement processes.
• Develop, review and approve company non-destructive and destructive testing requirements as it relates to welding quality control procedures in support of manufacturing.
• Develop, review and approve heat treatment procedures to support manufacturing.
• Support steel extrusion processes and procedure development
• Support company welding regulatory certifications in different regions.
• Conduct technical reviews of third-party fabrication shops, heat treatment vendors, and material suppliers.
• Support supplier qualification and acceptance.
• Resolve non-conformances and production challenges.

Materials Engineering & Performance

• • Provide qualified expert input into:
  • Support heat treatment planning to achieve target yield strength.
  • Interface with engineering simulation/modelling during design of equipment.
  • • Material selection including metallurgy, mechanical properties & corrosion mechanisms (carbon steels, low alloy, CRA, duplex, etc.)
    • Material selection for high-integrity pressure applications

   

Failure Analysis & Continuous Improvement

• Support investigations into weld failures, material defects, and code compliance violations.
• Develop or contribute to root cause analysis (RCA) reports, lessons learned, and corrective actions.

Project Support

• Support projects, procurement and sales teams during tendering (technical bid input, risk identification) as required
• Support project execution through welding methods and material selection.

Sales Support

• Support sales teams related to welding and fabrication during customer RFQ’s or contract award.

Represent STATS at Industry Organizations

• Represent STATS at industry organizations, including API 1104 Committee, Pipeline Research Council International (PRCI), ASME, CSA, AWS, and other industry initiatives such as hydrogen materials and welding initiatives.

Individual Quality and Safety Responsibilities

• Promote and uphold the highest standards of ethics in compliance with Company’s Code of Conduct and Business Ethics Policy.
• To comply with STATS and Client quality, safety and environmental management systems and procedures at all times.
• Ensure all accidents / incidents / near misses / hazards are immediately reported and relevant paperwork is complete.

Internal Training Requirements

• Environmental Awareness
• COSHH Awareness
• Manual Handling
• STATS Internal Courses – Basic Level

EXPERIENCE / Competence / skills / knowledge

• •  
  • 10–15+ years of experience in:
  • Demonstrated knowledge of industry codes and regulations, including:
  • Deep knowledge of welding processes (SMAW, GTAW, FCAW, SAW, etc.) and heat treatment processes (PWHT, Q&T).
  • Familiarity with:
  • Familiarity with modern analysis tools, including:
  • • Welding engineering.
    • Materials engineering.
    • Pressure systems, pipeline, energy sector, or pressure fabrication.
    • ASME Section IX.
    • ASME B31.3 / B31.4 / B31.8.
    • CSA Z662.
    • CFR 49 Parts 192 and 195.
    • API 1104.
    • EN Material Standards.
    • NACE Corrosion Standards.
  • • ISO Quality Programs.
    • NDT methods.
    • Pipeline Codes and Regulatory Requirements.

  Deform (extrusion, Q&T). 

  • PRCI Thermal Analysis for Hot Tap Welding Toolbox (ISW).

• Desirable

  • Welding Inspector endorsement/qualification.
  • Experience with:
  • • Pipeline intervention / hot tapping / pressure containment.
    • High-strength steels (e.g., 65–70 ksi+ applications).
    • Failure analysis and fracture mechanics.
    • Transition fuels/products such as CO₂, Hydrogen, Ammonia, and others.
  
  
  

Qualifications 

• Bachelor's degree in Metallurgical Engineering or Welding Engineering. A Master's degree is preferred.
• Alternatively, a Bachelor's degree in Metallurgical or Welding Engineering together with a recognized professional welding certification such as International Welding Engineer (IWE) or CWEE.
  

Personal Qualities 

• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to explain complex technical subjects to senior leadership and C-suite.
• Ability to provide technical and material leadership in a strong matrix-based organization, with strong influencing and people management skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrates sound risk-based decision-making.
• Ability to challenge constructively.
• Comfortable working in the boardroom, workshop, or field environment.
• Communicates effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Pragmatic, execution-focused mindset.
• Contributes to a respectful, inclusive, and team-oriented workplace aligned with STATS’ values.
  
  

Additional Note:

STATS is an equal opportunity employer, in which we are committed to creating an inclusive and diverse environment for all employees, in allowing us to deliver our company objectives together.

 Applicants are encouraged to apply even if they do not meet all of the listed qualifications or experience. We recognise that relevant experience and potential can take many forms, and we value a diversity of backgrounds and perspectives. If you are enthusiastic about the role and believe you could contribute meaningfully, we welcome your application.