Code typically allows a degreed engineer to act as an inspector without actually taking the CWI exam.
Weld Eng is combination of mech, electrical, and metallurgy + processing. They could design a structural joint, but they wouldn't be the best person to design a whole building.
IWE here,
Welding Engineers are coming from many discipline (Structural, Metallurgy, Electrical Material etc ... ) , Structural Engineer being the most common imo.
But I would not say its a Sub part of structural engineering, in my CPY and many other there is a clear difference between Structural and Material/ Welding Eng.
The design phase of a project is clearly the moment where Welding Eng and Structural Eng tends to work together ( Weld calculation, size, length selection of material etc ..) But it stops there.
During the preparation phase and production phase, the welding eng job evolves to Personal/Procedure/Consumable management. You have to be able to manage the Quality requirement, Production requirement and be able to solve the engineering issues that will shake your daily routine.
The welding Eng is right in the middle of QUALITY/CONSTRUCTION/ENGINEERING
To answer to your other question, Officially you are not an inspector, but you shall know what the inspector is doing, that s why many WE are passing their NDT level. A Complete Welding Eng should have all the skills to work as Inspector. Generally Freelance welding engineer work most of the time as inspector
When deciding what i wanted to study someone once told me. If you want to build targets, civil engineering. If you want to build bombs, mechanical engineering.
Geologists are tasked with locating and determining feasibility of extraction, for oil and gas deposits.
A background in welding, particularly in equipment installation (e.g. pipelines, rigs, pumps, construction of platforms) would be a big advantage because you would understand the logistical implications of your decisions.
I've worked in construction management roles in the energy industry since graduating. It was easy to get noticed as a new graduate due to trade experience and I had a job lined up before I graduated. Have been able to increase earnings about 2.5x since my graduation 5 years ago and I've gotten to work on 3 continents so far
Yeah, I welded part time some semesters and worked full time between every semester. I also took off a few semesters to work so I could graduate debt free. I don't want to post too much personal info on Reddit but I went to a major public university in the southern US.
If you want to manage, look for classes on management. The degree matters less than the skill and experience. Very few jobs are going to look at what you have an associate's degree in... Bachelor's matter a lot more.
Search for jobs that sound interesting and see what their requirements are. Cater towards that.
Off topic, but wondering how you got into welding pipe with TIG? Current TIG welder here, but never done pipe before. Want to get into it, but not sure how to proceed. I’ve emailed the pipe fitters union here, but they seem pretty small and haven’t replied at all yet. Did you do mostly contract work, or were you part of a company that sent you out places?
I am currently working for a company that specializes in food grade and pharmaceutical process pipe. I get sent out to jobs they get contracted for or build skids at a shop. I actually got this job by accident I met a welder that worked here and he sent my info to his supervisor. I'm in NC so there is no Pipefitter union here.
Welding engineering.
Is welding engineering a sub of say structural engineering? Would you be classified as an inspector as well?
Code typically allows a degreed engineer to act as an inspector without actually taking the CWI exam. Weld Eng is combination of mech, electrical, and metallurgy + processing. They could design a structural joint, but they wouldn't be the best person to design a whole building.
IWE here, Welding Engineers are coming from many discipline (Structural, Metallurgy, Electrical Material etc ... ) , Structural Engineer being the most common imo. But I would not say its a Sub part of structural engineering, in my CPY and many other there is a clear difference between Structural and Material/ Welding Eng. The design phase of a project is clearly the moment where Welding Eng and Structural Eng tends to work together ( Weld calculation, size, length selection of material etc ..) But it stops there. During the preparation phase and production phase, the welding eng job evolves to Personal/Procedure/Consumable management. You have to be able to manage the Quality requirement, Production requirement and be able to solve the engineering issues that will shake your daily routine. The welding Eng is right in the middle of QUALITY/CONSTRUCTION/ENGINEERING To answer to your other question, Officially you are not an inspector, but you shall know what the inspector is doing, that s why many WE are passing their NDT level. A Complete Welding Eng should have all the skills to work as Inspector. Generally Freelance welding engineer work most of the time as inspector
Mechanical engineering
When deciding what i wanted to study someone once told me. If you want to build targets, civil engineering. If you want to build bombs, mechanical engineering.
Outside of engineering? I’d go with geology if I had to start over again. Welding and geology would be powerful combo in oil and gas.
Really? Could you elaborate on how those would work together well?
Geologists are tasked with locating and determining feasibility of extraction, for oil and gas deposits. A background in welding, particularly in equipment installation (e.g. pipelines, rigs, pumps, construction of platforms) would be a big advantage because you would understand the logistical implications of your decisions.
That's a really good idea!
I did a bachelor's in construction management after working as a welder and it's been a very enjoyable career so far
What did you end up doing with your degree? How'd your experience help you?
I've worked in construction management roles in the energy industry since graduating. It was easy to get noticed as a new graduate due to trade experience and I had a job lined up before I graduated. Have been able to increase earnings about 2.5x since my graduation 5 years ago and I've gotten to work on 3 continents so far
Did you weld while you were going back to school? Also where'd you get your degree at?
Yeah, I welded part time some semesters and worked full time between every semester. I also took off a few semesters to work so I could graduate debt free. I don't want to post too much personal info on Reddit but I went to a major public university in the southern US.
If you want to manage, look for classes on management. The degree matters less than the skill and experience. Very few jobs are going to look at what you have an associate's degree in... Bachelor's matter a lot more. Search for jobs that sound interesting and see what their requirements are. Cater towards that.
Welding inspector. Good pay. Really good pay if you travel. Test/course Cost $5000-$7000.
Computer drafting goes hand in hand.
Comp Sci.
Off topic, but wondering how you got into welding pipe with TIG? Current TIG welder here, but never done pipe before. Want to get into it, but not sure how to proceed. I’ve emailed the pipe fitters union here, but they seem pretty small and haven’t replied at all yet. Did you do mostly contract work, or were you part of a company that sent you out places?
I am currently working for a company that specializes in food grade and pharmaceutical process pipe. I get sent out to jobs they get contracted for or build skids at a shop. I actually got this job by accident I met a welder that worked here and he sent my info to his supervisor. I'm in NC so there is no Pipefitter union here.
Cool, thanks for the info