We are seeking 2 Lead Welder's to join our team in Avonmouth. 

This role will support the delivery of key projects within the nuclear sector, working in a safety-focused environment where quality, collaboration, and continuous improvement are at the heart of everything we do. 

What You'll Be Doing 

As a Lead Welder, you will: 

• Support the coordination of daily welding activities in line with workshop schedules and production priorities as directed by the Supervisor / Management for the assigned welding team.
• Technically support welders within own team in relation to welding methods, sequencing, workmanship standards and high welding standard practice.
• Welding of high-integrity Stainless Steel fabrications within the nuclear sector in accordance with acceptance criteria as stated in ISO 5817.
• Alignment with Weld procedures in accordance with ISO 15609.
• Promote and maintain a safe and healthy work environment by following standards and procedures and complying with legal and site-specific regulations.
• Attend and actively contribute to Daily Action Briefs, ensuring daily risks, priorities, constraints and activities are clearly understood by the welding team.
• Monitor welding activities on the shop floor to ensure compliance with approved procedures, quality requirements and traceability controls.
• Provide practical support in the continuous development and improvement of fabrication and welding processes, procedures and workshop practices.
• Assist with the training, mentoring and development of welders, including sharing best practice and supporting skill progression.
• Support the resolution of welding-related issues, including identifying defects, contributing to root cause discussions and helping implement corrective actions.
• Provide input into internal NCRs, observations, quality investigations and improvement actions when requested.
• Work closely with other workshop staff including Fabricators, General Operatives, Storeman, Welding Inspectors, Quality personnel and Production leadership to ensure efficient workflow and effective communication.
• Support the maintenance of high housekeeping standards and contribute to 5S / Lean initiatives within the workshop.
• Escalate safety, quality, technical or delivery concerns promptly to the Supervisor / Manager.

Key Outputs

• Ensure welding activities are completed safely, efficiently and in accordance with workshop schedule and production requirements.
• Ensure welding workmanship consistently meets Framatome Ltd standards and client/customer acceptance criteria.
• Provide day-to-day welding support and guidance provided to the workshop team to promote right-first-time manufacture.
• Ensure material traceability maintained throughout manufacturing processes.
• Ensure workshop documentation assigned to own welding team is completed accurately and in a timely manner.
• Timely identification and communication of welding-related risks, defects, non-conformances and improvement opportunities.

What We're Looking For : 

We're interested in hearing from candidates who can demonstrate: 

• Proven knowledge and experience in various welding processes and materials, specifically high-integrity Stainless Steel fabrication (essential).
• Previously held welding qualifications in accordance with ISO 9606-1 (essential).
• Level 3 NVQ or equivalent (essential).
• Strong technical understanding of welding standards, workmanship expectations and quality requirements within a regulated manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrable experience in reading, understanding and interpreting engineering drawings, weld maps, specifications and welding procedures.
• Experience of working to controlled processes, procedures and specifications.
• Strong commitment to safety, quality assurance and regulatory compliance.
• Ability to provide technical guidance and informal leadership to others on the shop floor.
• Good communication and teamworking skills, with the ability to work effectively across functions.
• Questioning attitude and willingness to challenge unsafe or non-compliant practices.
• Close attention to detail and a strong focus on right-first-time delivery.
• Ability to work under own initiative with a proactive and can-do attitude.
• Logical thinker with good problem-solving capability.
• Experience supporting apprentices or less experienced welders would be advantageous.
• Nuclear Safety.
• 5S / Lean Culture.
• Weld defect understanding and development.
• Leadership / team coordination development.
• Coaching and mentoring skills.
• Other personal development opportunities (e.g. NVQ, CSWIP, supervisory development, additional welding qualifications).

Salary: £26.23 per hour

We recognise that people gain skills and experience through a variety of routes. If you believe you have transferable skills and relevant experience, we'd encourage you to apply.

What's In It For You? 

• Nuclear standard training for career progression 
• 25 days annual leave per year rising by 1 day for every 2 years worked (max 30 days) + Bank Holidays 
• 8% employer pension contribution with employee 1% contribution (salary sacrifice) 
• Individual and family private health care 
• Dental insurance for employees (BUPA) 
• Cashplan – Level 2 cover 
• Employee assistance programme (EAP) 
• Professional Body Membership 
• Cycle to Work scheme (salary sacrifice) 
• Babbel – learn a new language 
• Generous family leave