Divisional Technical Manager – Tate Americas

Job Type: Full-time

Duration of role: Permanent

Position: 1

Reporting to: Director of Operations – Tate Americas

Location: Jessup, MD

About Us

At Tate we are passionate about everything we do. As an independent brand operating within Kingspan Group, a global plc group of companies, Tate has been recognized worldwide as an industry leader in the development and manufacture of data center infrastructure solutions and commercial office raised access floors, for over 60 years. With revenues of over $420m and growing, Tate plays a pivotal role in offering expertise in cutting edge design engineering in order to craft solutions, by working collaboratively with clients as a trusted partner.

Tate continues to grow and expand, operating multiple manufacturing and commercial sites across the US, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. We are excited about our fresh, dynamic, and inclusive team of experts working on new innovations and forward-thinking designs, as we remain a market leading player within our industry. We continue to invest heavily in the best available manufacturing tools and equipment needed to adhere to Tate’s world class standards and in keeping with our Planet Passionate sustainability strategy, our focus is on having minimal climate impact.

We are excited by potentially welcoming you as part of our team as we continue to grow on a worldwide scale.

About the Role

We are seeking a highly qualified Divisional Technical Manager to oversee and manage weld engineering, weld quality to include manual and automated machinery welding within the Tate US organization. This role is pivotal in ensuring compliance with AWS D1.1, AWS D1.8 and possibly other welding standards. The role will assist in optimizing the flow and layout of weld cells and maintaining the highest standards of weld quality across all plants in the Tate US Business. The successful candidate will possess deep technical expertise in weld engineering, extensive knowledge of AWS D1.1 and AWS D1.8 codes, and a strong background in quality control, particularly with robotic and automated welding systems.

What You’ll Do

• Weld Engineering Management

• Lead the development and implementation of welding procedures, techniques, and standards.
• Provide technical guidance and support to engineering teams and welders.
• Oversee the selection and maintenance of welding equipment and materials.

• AWS D1.1 and AWS D1.8 Compliance:

• Ensure all welding operations adhere to AWS D1.1, AWS D1.8/1.8M or any other appropriate design standards specified by the customer.
• Conduct regular audits and inspections to verify compliance and identify areas for improvement.
• Work alongside the Quality Team to track failure rates of welds that do not meet standard and develop mitigation plans to reduce failures on both manual and automated welds.
• Working with the Quality team to develop weld Quality Control Plans
• Own employee training records and compliance on being up to date with their certifications.
• Develop and deliver training programs to enhance understanding and application of AWS D1.1 and AWS D1.8 standards.

• Cobot & Automated Machinery Quality Control

• Oversee the quality control processes for manual and automated welding machinery, ensuring they meet all operational, quality and appropriate welding industry standards.
• Develop and implement maintenance and calibration setting procedures for automated systems to ensure consistency in the welds.
• Monitor and optimize the performance of robotic welding systems to ensure consistent weld quality.
• Troubleshoot and resolve issues related to cobot and automated machinery to minimize downtime and defects on welds.

• Production Throughput Optimization:

• Manage the flow and layout of weld cells to maximize production efficiency and throughput.
• Analyze and redesign weld cell layouts to streamline operations and reduce production bottlenecks.
• Advise and implement WPS and PQRs for each of the plant locations across Tate US
• Implement best practices and lean manufacturing principles to enhance workflow and minimize waste.

• Collaboration with Design Engineering

• Collaborate with the design engineering team to determine the most suitable weld types and techniques to meet project specifications and requirements.
• Provide input on design modifications to ensure that welds meet both performance criteria and AWS D1.1, AWS D1.8/1.8M or required standards.
• Review and validate weld designs, considering factors such as material compatibility, joint configuration, and load requirements.

• Quality Control Ownership

• Establish and maintain quality control processes to monitor and improve weld quality across all welding operations at Tate US, including manual and automated processes.
• Implement and manage inspection protocols to detect and rectify weld defects.
• Analyze weld quality metrics and prepare detailed reports for senior management.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Collaborate with other departments to address welding-related issues and optimize production processes.
• Work closely with suppliers to ensure the quality of welding materials and components.
• Provide technical input for new product development and engineering projects.

• Continuous Improvement:

• Identify and drive initiatives for continuous improvement in welding processes, cobot integration, and automated machinery quality control.
• Stay current with industry trends, advancements, and best practices in weld engineering, robotic systems, and quality management.
• Lead and support root cause analysis and corrective actions for quality issues around welds.

Additional Expectation

• Remain compliant with the Code of Conduct and Policies which includes the Kingspan Group Compliance Policy.
• Ensure that all duties related to product compliance are adhered to in accordance with the Product Compliance Policy, Laws, Regulations, and market demands.
• Responsible for all tasks to achieve compliance goals and demands of the Compliance Management System.
• Must raise concerns related to the Compliance Management System to their supervisor, manager, or any member of the Leadership Team, or through the confidential whistle blower service.

What You’ll Bring

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Welding Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, or a related field. Professional certifications (e.g., Certified Welding Engineer) required.
• Experience: Minimum of 7-10 years of experience in weld engineering, with a strong background in AWS D1.1 and AWS D1.8 standards, automated welding machinery quality control, and production optimization.
• Technical Skills: In-depth knowledge of welding techniques, procedures, and equipment. Proficiency in AWS D1.1 and AWS D1.8 codes and standards. Experience with manual and automated welding programs.
• Leadership: Proven experience in leading and managing technical teams, with strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Problem-Solving: Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities with a focus on continuous improvement and operational efficiency. Proven ability to manage and optimize weld cell layouts and develop teams.
• Certifications: AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) or equivalent certification required

Employee Benefits

• Career Scope and Advancement: As we grow, new positions and career opportunities arise, offering accelerated paths for the right candidates, locally and globally.
• World of Wellness Philosophy: We empower you to take charge of your health and well-being. You’ll have access to a wide range of medical, dental, and vision benefits, along with personalized guidance from a “Health Advocate.” We also offer other supplemental options, including 401k, legal, disability, and theft insurance, to ensure your financial wellness.
• Corporate Social Responsibility: Through Planet Passionate we are determined to reduce our manufacturing carbon (CO2e) emissions to as close to zero as technically possible, together with halving carbon intensity in our primary supply chain. We are very involved in our community, and you will have ample opportunities to support us in creating a better world.
• Skills Development: Given the dynamic pace of our business and a strong collaborative environment, your new role will be diverse and multifaceted – allowing you to be more versatile and develop a broader skill set.
• Mentorship and development: At Tate, we don’t believe in hierarchy, we work together as one team for one common goal. You will have access and exposure to our senior leaders and experts for learning in your role, and additionally mentorship for the future.
• Culture: We have a great team culture, highly collaborative, supportive, and social. Together we innovate, collaborate, take ownership, and strive for excellence.

Tate is an equal-opportunity employer. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and experiences.

Stay connected with us on LinkedIn for insights into life at Tate. Join us in our mission to make a difference through exceptional solutions.