OPT Welding Engineer Jobs
Welding Engineer jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in mechanical, materials, or manufacturing engineering. Most roles qualify as STEM OPT, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization. Employers in aerospace, automotive, and heavy manufacturing regularly hire and sponsor international engineers for this specialty.
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Job Overview
The Welding Automation Engineer provides technical leadership, training, and engineering support for manual and automated welding processes. This role develops and implements welding methods, procedures, and automation solutions to support production, quality, cost saving, and continuous improvement goals. The position combines technical knowledge in welding, robotics, welding with cobots, and manufacturing engineering with hands-on training, troubleshooting, and cross-functional collaboration to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality production of Komatsu products.
Key Job Responsibilities
- Lead, develop, and deliver hands-on training for welders, operators, supervisors, and international/domestic personnel on manual and automated welding processes; administer skills assessments and certification tests.
- Coordinate new hire welder assessments, maintain certification records, and manage training schedules and resources, including Weld Lab inventory, consumables, and equipment.
- Support the development and documentation of welding procedures (PQR, WPS) and evaluate new consumables, equipment, and new welding processes.
- Develop, change, and implement robotic welding programs, tooling, and fixtures using engineering drawings, CAD/CAM, and offline programming software; optimize weld sequences and parameters for quality, cycle time, and cost.
- Provide technical support for automation and robotic work cells, including troubleshooting, process improvements, and implementation of new applications.
- Aid product design engineering with design for manufacturability, weldability, and cost reduction opportunities.
- Conduct weld audits and investigations, analyze defects, and develop corrective actions, including repair procedures.
- Monitor, collect, and analyze welding process data and key performance metrics and report findings and recommendations to management.
- Support supervisory and inspection personnel with interpretation and compliance to AWS and Komatsu welding standards.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Operations, Quality, Safety, Product Engineering, Maintenance, Suppliers, and Customers) to resolve welding and automation issues and drive continuous improvement.
- Participate in safety walks and audits, promote safe work practices, and ensure compliance with company policies and industry standards.
Qualifications/Requirements
Required Skills
- Welding processes and metallurgy
- Robotic welding programming
- Fixture and tooling design
- Problem solving and root cause analysis
- Data analysis and reporting
- Training and technical instruction
- CAD/CAM and manufacturing software
- Microsoft Office and manufacturing systems (SAP, C-spec Weld Office)
- Verbal and written communication
- Leadership and team collaboration
- Project management
- Commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement
Preferred Skills
- AWS Certified Welding Inspector (preferred)
- AWS Certified Welding Educator (preferred)
- AWS Certified Robotic Arc Welding Technician (preferred)
Required Education/Experience, Travel Requirements
- Associate degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Welding Technology, or a related field and 4-10 years of related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Strong understanding of welding processes, robotic automation, and manufacturing engineering principles.
- Ability to read, analyze, and interpret engineering drawings, technical documents, and industry standards.
- Demonstrated experience with welding procedure qualifications, fabrication, and robotic welding systems.
- Experience in training, mentoring, and collaborating with diverse teams across multiple locations (domestic and international).
- Willingness to travel up to 10-20% (domestic and international) for training, product support, and technical assistance.
Safety
Safety is a core responsibility of this position. The employee is expected to actively support a proactive safety culture by identifying, communicating, and helping eliminate workplace hazards and unsafe conditions. This includes following all company and site-specific safety requirements, participating in safety walks, audits, risk assessments, and corrective actions, and demonstrating safe work practices when working in or around manufacturing, welding, robotic, and automated equipment.
The employee is expected to stop and address work when an unsafe condition is identified, promptly report safety concerns, incidents, near misses, and hazards, and partner with Operations, Safety, Maintenance, Engineering, and other stakeholders to implement sustainable corrective actions. The employee must follow established procedures for machine guarding, energy control/lockout-tagout, required personal protective equipment (PPE), welding and hot-work hazards, and other applicable manufacturing safety requirements.
Employees are also expected to understand and comply with site emergency procedures, alarms, evacuation and shelter requirements, and participate in required emergency drills and safety activities. Through technical leadership, training, and day-to-day actions, this position is expected to reinforce personal accountability for safety and contribute to Komatsu's commitment to preventing injuries and continuously improving workplace safety.
Diversity & Inclusion Commitment
At Komatsu we come from diverse backgrounds, with unique perspectives, experiences, and contributions. We are committed to creating a workforce that is reflective of the communities we work and live in. We believe that our people are part of our shared purpose. We are authentic, ambitious, and innovative in our pursuit of Diversity & Inclusion. United, we are on a journey towards a sustainable future that creates value together.
Company Information
Komatsu is a world leader in manufacturing construction, mining, forestry, and industrial heavy equipment. Founded in 1921, Komatsu has a long history of quality, reliability, innovation, and excellence. Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, Komatsu facilities, distributors and dealers are in more than 140 countries and employ more than 60,000 people. Komatsu offers a diverse and challenging work environment, where you can grow your skills and career, and contribute to a sustainable, clean-energy future. If you are looking for a company that values your talent and potential, be a part of something big and join a team that is shaping the world!
Join Komatsu and Be Part of Something Big!
Job Overview
The Welding Automation Engineer provides technical leadership, training, and engineering support for manual and automated welding processes. This role develops and implements welding methods, procedures, and automation solutions to support production, quality, cost saving, and continuous improvement goals. The position combines technical knowledge in welding, robotics, welding with cobots, and manufacturing engineering with hands-on training, troubleshooting, and cross-functional collaboration to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality production of Komatsu products.
Key Job Responsibilities
- Lead, develop, and deliver hands-on training for welders, operators, supervisors, and international/domestic personnel on manual and automated welding processes; administer skills assessments and certification tests.
- Coordinate new hire welder assessments, maintain certification records, and manage training schedules and resources, including Weld Lab inventory, consumables, and equipment.
- Support the development and documentation of welding procedures (PQR, WPS) and evaluate new consumables, equipment, and new welding processes.
- Develop, change, and implement robotic welding programs, tooling, and fixtures using engineering drawings, CAD/CAM, and offline programming software; optimize weld sequences and parameters for quality, cycle time, and cost.
- Provide technical support for automation and robotic work cells, including troubleshooting, process improvements, and implementation of new applications.
- Aid product design engineering with design for manufacturability, weldability, and cost reduction opportunities.
- Conduct weld audits and investigations, analyze defects, and develop corrective actions, including repair procedures.
- Monitor, collect, and analyze welding process data and key performance metrics and report findings and recommendations to management.
- Support supervisory and inspection personnel with interpretation and compliance to AWS and Komatsu welding standards.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Operations, Quality, Safety, Product Engineering, Maintenance, Suppliers, and Customers) to resolve welding and automation issues and drive continuous improvement.
- Participate in safety walks and audits, promote safe work practices, and ensure compliance with company policies and industry standards.
Qualifications/Requirements
Required Skills
- Welding processes and metallurgy
- Robotic welding programming
- Fixture and tooling design
- Problem solving and root cause analysis
- Data analysis and reporting
- Training and technical instruction
- CAD/CAM and manufacturing software
- Microsoft Office and manufacturing systems (SAP, C-spec Weld Office)
- Verbal and written communication
- Leadership and team collaboration
- Project management
- Commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement
Preferred Skills
- AWS Certified Welding Inspector (preferred)
- AWS Certified Welding Educator (preferred)
- AWS Certified Robotic Arc Welding Technician (preferred)
Required Education/Experience, Travel Requirements
- Associate degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Welding Technology, or a related field and 4-10 years of related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Strong understanding of welding processes, robotic automation, and manufacturing engineering principles.
- Ability to read, analyze, and interpret engineering drawings, technical documents, and industry standards.
- Demonstrated experience with welding procedure qualifications, fabrication, and robotic welding systems.
- Experience in training, mentoring, and collaborating with diverse teams across multiple locations (domestic and international).
- Willingness to travel up to 10-20% (domestic and international) for training, product support, and technical assistance.
Safety
Safety is a core responsibility of this position. The employee is expected to actively support a proactive safety culture by identifying, communicating, and helping eliminate workplace hazards and unsafe conditions. This includes following all company and site-specific safety requirements, participating in safety walks, audits, risk assessments, and corrective actions, and demonstrating safe work practices when working in or around manufacturing, welding, robotic, and automated equipment.
The employee is expected to stop and address work when an unsafe condition is identified, promptly report safety concerns, incidents, near misses, and hazards, and partner with Operations, Safety, Maintenance, Engineering, and other stakeholders to implement sustainable corrective actions. The employee must follow established procedures for machine guarding, energy control/lockout-tagout, required personal protective equipment (PPE), welding and hot-work hazards, and other applicable manufacturing safety requirements.
Employees are also expected to understand and comply with site emergency procedures, alarms, evacuation and shelter requirements, and participate in required emergency drills and safety activities. Through technical leadership, training, and day-to-day actions, this position is expected to reinforce personal accountability for safety and contribute to Komatsu's commitment to preventing injuries and continuously improving workplace safety.
Diversity & Inclusion Commitment
At Komatsu we come from diverse backgrounds, with unique perspectives, experiences, and contributions. We are committed to creating a workforce that is reflective of the communities we work and live in. We believe that our people are part of our shared purpose. We are authentic, ambitious, and innovative in our pursuit of Diversity & Inclusion. United, we are on a journey towards a sustainable future that creates value together.
Company Information
Komatsu is a world leader in manufacturing construction, mining, forestry, and industrial heavy equipment. Founded in 1921, Komatsu has a long history of quality, reliability, innovation, and excellence. Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, Komatsu facilities, distributors and dealers are in more than 140 countries and employ more than 60,000 people. Komatsu offers a diverse and challenging work environment, where you can grow your skills and career, and contribute to a sustainable, clean-energy future. If you are looking for a company that values your talent and potential, be a part of something big and join a team that is shaping the world!
See all OPT Welding Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Welding Engineer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Welding Engineer
Target STEM-designated programs
Confirm your degree CIP code qualifies for STEM OPT extension before applying. Welding engineering roles typically satisfy the STEM requirement, but your DSO must verify your specific program is on the STEM OPT designated degree list.
Highlight AWS certifications
American Welding Society credentials signal technical credibility to U.S. employers. Even entry-level certifications distinguish your application in a field where hands-on competency matters as much as your academic qualifications and degree specialization.
Focus on manufacturing-heavy industries
Aerospace, automotive, oil and gas, and defense manufacturers hire welding engineers regularly and have established H-1B visa sponsorship pipelines. These industries are accustomed to sponsoring international engineers and are less likely to reject OPT candidates outright.
Quantify process improvements in your resume
Employers want engineers who reduce defect rates, improve weld efficiency, or cut material waste. Attach specific numbers to your project outcomes. Concrete results make your application competitive and help justify sponsorship investment to hiring managers.
Apply before your OPT start date
Hiring timelines for engineering roles often run six to ten weeks from application to offer. Start applying two to three months before your OPT begins so authorization is active before your employment start date, avoiding compliance issues for you and the employer.
Address sponsorship directly but briefly
State your OPT status and STEM extension eligibility in your cover letter or early in interviews. Employers unfamiliar with OPT appreciate a clear, confident explanation. Framing your 36-month timeline positively reduces hesitation without making it the focus of the conversation.
Welding Engineer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Welding Engineer jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Most Welding Engineer roles qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension if your degree is in a STEM-designated field such as mechanical engineering, materials science, or manufacturing engineering. The role itself must also be directly related to your degree. Your Designated School Official can confirm your specific CIP code appears on the official STEM OPT designated degree list before you apply.
Can I work as a Welding Engineer on OPT without employer sponsorship?
Yes, during your initial OPT period you can work for any employer without them sponsoring a visa. However, your position must be directly related to your degree field. For STEM OPT extension, your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify and sign a formal training plan with your DSO. Sponsorship only becomes a requirement if you transition to an H-1B or other long-term work visa after OPT expires.
Is Welding Engineer considered a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Welding Engineer roles that require a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific technical field, such as mechanical or materials engineering, generally meet the H-1B specialty occupation standard. Roles that accept any degree regardless of field, or that could be filled without a degree, face more scrutiny. Employers should ensure the job description ties the role explicitly to a specific engineering discipline when filing the petition.
How do I find Welding Engineer employers who sponsor OPT students?
Migrate Mate is the best place to find Welding Engineer jobs from employers open to OPT candidates and visa sponsorship. Beyond that, large aerospace and defense manufacturers such as Boeing, Raytheon, and Lockheed Martin have established international hiring programs. Oil and gas companies and heavy equipment manufacturers also sponsor regularly. Prioritizing companies with existing H-1B filing histories gives you the strongest indication of sponsorship willingness.
What happens to my Welding Engineer OPT if I change employers?
You can change employers on OPT as long as your new role is related to your degree and you report the change to your DSO within 10 days. There is no gap restriction, but you should not go more than 90 days of unemployment during standard OPT or 150 days during the STEM extension combined. Update your SEVIS record promptly and confirm your new employer meets E-Verify requirements if you are on the STEM extension.