Welder engineer

How to become a welder engineer?

There are several routes to becoming a welder engineer. You can gain the qualifications you need by doing a university or college course, an apprenticeship or apply directly to an employer for work.

You should explore these routes to becoming a welder engineer to find out which is the right one for you. Although some of these options have certain qualification requirements, many employers are more interested in people who are enthusiastic, willing to learn and can follow instructions.

You may need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card to work on a construction site.

University/graduate training scheme

You can become a welder engineer by completing a degree in a relevant subject such as engineering or a similar discipline. You could complete an industry-accredited foundation degree, Higher National Diploma (HND) or undergraduate degree.

You could study for a BEng or MEng in Metallurgy and Materials Science or Engineering or an MSc in Welding Engineering.

A Higher National Diploma (HND) or Higher National Certificate (HNC) in a relevant qualification offers an alternative entry route. Once you complete your course, you may gain entry into the second or third year of a relevant engineering degree course.

Afterwards, you could apply to graduate trainee schemes with construction firms or engineering companies.

You could also study for a postgraduate award in engineering, as some employers will require this level of expertise.

You’ll generally need:

• 1 - 2 A levels (or equivalent) (foundation degree or HND)
• 2 - 3 A levels (or equivalent) (undergraduate degree)
• A first degree (postgraduate award).
• Find a university course
• Funding advice

College/training provider

You could complete a college course to become a welder fabricator and then work towards achieving higher qualifications to become a welding engineer.

You’ll generally need:

• At least 2 GCSEs (or equivalent) at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D) (level 2 course)
• 4 - 5 GCSEs (or equivalent) at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) (level 3 course).

Apprenticeship

An apprenticeship with a construction or steel fabricating firm is a good way into the industry.

Apprenticeships are open to anyone over the age of 16. As an apprentice, you will be fully employed by your company and expected to work a minimum of 30 hours a week. Your time will be split between on-the-job experience and a college or training provider.

• Find an apprenticeship near you
• Guide to apprenticeships

Work

If you have the relevant qualifications, you could apply directly to a construction company to gain onsite experience as a welder engineer. You might start out as an assistant to a more experienced welder engineer and progress as your abilities improve.

Work experience

Work experience is essential to gaining employment within the construction industry. You could gain this at school, or by working weekends and holidays with a company or relative who works as a welder engineer. Potential employers will always be pleased to see work experience listed on your CV.

• Find out more about work experience

Skills

Additional skills which may benefit anyone looking to become a welder engineer include:

• Knowledge of engineering science and technology
• Design skills and knowledge
• Knowledge of maths
• Thinking and reasoning skills
• Excellent communication abilities

What does a welder engineer do?

As a welder engineer, you could be:

• Working on the design, maintenance and development of a wide range of welding systems and equipment
• Harnessing the latest techniques, such as laser and electron beam technology, for use in a wide range of construction projects
• Training other welders on new techniques, processes or changes in design
• Evaluating processes, supervising welders on a project and tweaking the process in order to make improvements
• Based in one location, but there may be opportunities for secondment either in the UK or overseas.

How much could you earn as a welder engineer?

The expected salary for a welder engineer varies as you become more experienced.

• Newly trained welder engineers can earn £20,000 - £25,000
• Trained welder engineers with some experience can earn £25,000 - £30,000
• Senior or chartered welder engineers can earn in excess of £35,000.*

Hours and salary depend on location, employer and any overtime you may do. Salaries and career options improve with chartered status.

* Salaries have been collected from multiple industry sources

Check out the latest welder engineer vacancies:

• Indeed
• Totaljobs.

As these are external websites, the number of vacancies related to your preferred role may vary. New opportunities will be posted as they come up.

Career path and progression

You may start off as a trainee welder engineer. Once you are a fully qualified welding engineer, you could become a senior welding engineer or work in management and earn a higher salary.

You will improve your employability and earn a higher salary by gaining chartered status through the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) or another professional institution such as The Welding Institute.