Bootcamp & Welding Training Foreman

Bootcamp & Welding Training Foreman

Innovative Refrigeration Systems, Inc. is the leading provider of industrial refrigeration and process cooling solutions, delivering custom engineered systems utilizing natural refrigerants such as ammonia and CO₂. Through a fully integrated approach encompassing engineering, manufacturing, construction, commissioning, nationwide service, and advanced aftermarket solutions, Innovative supports customers across the food and beverage, cold storage, pharmaceutical, industrial manufacturing, and mission-critical infrastructure markets throughout North America and around the world.

Unlike traditional engineering firms, contractors, or equipment suppliers, Innovative performs engineering, manufacturing, construction, commissioning, service, and ongoing customer support entirely in-house. This integrated model provides employees the opportunity to support projects throughout the complete lifecycle, from concept and design through manufacturing, installation, startup, operation, optimization, modernization, and long-term system support.

Position Summary

The Bootcamp & Welding Training Foreman is responsible for leading welding training and development across Innovative Refrigeration Systems, including the Welding Bootcamp program, welding classes, qualification activities, and training on new welding techniques and processes.

This role oversees trainees, coordinates welding instructors, provides hands-on instruction, administers and evaluates weld tests, and ensures employees develop the skills required to meet Innovative's welding standards. The Foreman is responsible for maintaining proficiency across Innovative's welding processes, including SMAW/Stick, GTAW/TIG, GMAW/MIG, FCAW/Flux Core, and orbital welding. This includes evaluating new welding techniques and processes, becoming qualified in their proper application, and developing and delivering training to other welders.

The individual selected for this position will be required to obtain and maintain all welding certifications and qualifications utilized by Innovative Refrigeration Systems so they are qualified to train, evaluate, and support welders across all company welding processes.

The position serves as a connection between welding training, Quality, Recruiting, Manufacturing, and field leadership, providing feedback on welder performance, qualifications, and readiness. When training responsibilities do not require

Essential Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day execution of Innovative's welding training programs, including Welding Bootcamp, welding classes, qualification activities, and other structured training.
• Facilitate training sessions and coordinate welding instructors to ensure training activities are appropriately staffed and executed.
• Provide hands-on instruction in pipe welding, fitting, cutting, beveling, joint preparation, weld setup, and related fabrication skills across Innovative's welding processes, including SMAW/Stick, GTAW/TIG, GMAW/MIG, FCAW/Flux Core, and orbital welding.
• Train and evaluate welders on applicable welding techniques and qualifications, including 6G pipe welding, open-root welding, and other company-required welding applications.
• Evaluate new welding techniques and processes, become qualified in their proper application, and develop and deliver training to other welders.
• Reinforce proper use of welding and fabrication equipment, drawing interpretation, pipe specifications, welding symbols, P&IDs, fitting practices, and applied math.
• Administer and evaluate weld tests, fit-up tests, practice assemblies, and welding coupons, including qualification of welders participating in Bootcamp, welding classes, and other training programs.
• Evaluate weld quality, identify defects and likely causes, and provide hands-on coaching to improve welder performance.
• Track trainee performance against established milestones and provide clear feedback on strengths, development needs, and readiness to advance.
• Identify employees who are not meeting training expectations and communicate performance concerns to Quality leadership.
• Provide Recruiting, Manufacturing, and field management with timely feedback regarding welder performance, qualification status, and readiness.
• Maintain training standards and hold participants accountable for attendance, productivity, safety, quality, and performance.
• Follow established training curriculum and recommend improvements based on training results, new welding techniques, and business needs.
• Maintain accurate training, testing, certification, qualification, and performance records.
• Maintain welding training areas, equipment, tooling, consumables, and materials in a safe, organized, and training-ready condition.
• Ensure all training activities follow company safety requirements and proper welding procedures.
• Support welding and fabrication activities within Manufacturing when training responsibilities do not require full-time support.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required

• Extensive hands-on pipe welding experience in industrial refrigeration, process piping, mechanical construction, industrial fabrication, or a similar environment.
• Strong hands-on welding experience and technical knowledge across applicable welding processes, including SMAW/Stick, GTAW/TIG, GMAW/MIG, FCAW/Flux Core, and orbital welding.
• Strong experience with pipe fitting, cutting, beveling, joint preparation, weld setup, and fabrication practices.
• Ability to read and interpret fabrication drawings, pipe specifications, welding symbols, and related technical documentation.
• Ability to evaluate weld quality, identify common defects and their causes, and determine appropriate corrective actions.
• Ability to demonstrate welding and fitting techniques and provide effective hands-on instruction.
• Ability to administer welding assessments and objectively evaluate performance against established requirements.
• Ability and commitment to obtain and maintain all welding certifications and qualifications required by Innovative Refrigeration Systems. The selected employee is not expected to possess all required certifications at the time of promotion but will be required to successfully obtain them as a condition of continuing in the role.
• Ability to learn, become qualified in, and teach new welding techniques and processes as company requirements evolve.
• Strong leadership and communication skills with the ability to provide constructive feedback and hold trainees accountable.
• Ability to organize and manage multiple trainees at different stages of development.
• Strong commitment to workplace safety, welding quality, and proper fabrication procedures.

Position Continuation

This position is based on Innovative's ongoing need for dedicated Welding Bootcamp, welding classes, and other formal welding training activities. If the need for these programs materially changes or is discontinued, the company will evaluate the continued need and scope of the position.