Engineer, Senior II, Technology
American Bureau of Shipping (ABS)

Are you passionate about being at the forefront of emerging technologies in the maritime and offshore industries-especially where advanced materials, welding, and robotics intersect?

ABS is a leading Classification Society driven by its mission of promoting the security of life and property and preserving the natural environment. In fulfilling this mission, ABS leads research and develops guidance and requirements focused on the safe implementation of new technology in the marine and offshore environment.

As a Senior Materials Engineer in the Technology organization, you will lead industry-facing research and development focused on the application of humanoid and other advanced robotics to shipyard welding, including welding procedures, weld quality assessment, and qualification of both robotic systems and resulting welds. You will also contribute subject-matter expertise on materials degradation mechanisms such as corrosion, fatigue, and fracture to support broader Technology initiatives.

What You Will Do:

• Identify, define, and propose Technology programs and projects in your technical area (materials, welding, and robotics), and recommend priorities for projects within the Technology department.
• Lead investigations into the requirements, standards, and qualification processes associated with the use of humanoid and other robotic systems for shipyard welding, including: (1) Developing and assessing welding procedures for robotic welding applications. (2) Defining data requirements and acceptance criteria for weld quality based on sensor and process data from robots. (3) Evaluating methods to qualify robotic welding systems and operators and to qualify the resulting welds.
• Plan and manage assigned programs and projects, including scoping, budgeting, scheduling, execution, and reporting, ensuring delivery on time and within budget.
• Serve as technical lead or key member of multidisciplinary project teams addressing robotics, welding, structural integrity, and digital technologies (e.g., sensors, data analytics, digital twins).
• Provide subject-matter expertise on materials behavior and degradation mechanisms (e.g., corrosion, fatigue, fracture, embrittlement) in marine and offshore environments to support Technology and Engineering projects.
• Contribute to the development of ABS rules, guidance notes, and best practices related to robotic welding, weld quality, and material performance.
• Ensure high-quality service delivery and maintain strong relationships with internal and external customers, including shipyards, owners, OEMs, and technology providers.
• Stay actively informed of technical, regulatory, and business developments related to materials, welding, robotics, and digitalization, and promptly communicate relevant insights to management and project teams.
• Actively promote ABS's services and capabilities in your areas of expertise throughout the maritime and offshore technical and business community.
• Author and present technical papers, reports, and presentations related to materials, welding, robotics, and structural integrity for internal and external audiences.
• Provide day-to-day leadership, mentoring, and technical guidance to Technology and Engineering staff in your areas of expertise.
• Ensure that all ABS Health, Safety, Quality, and Environmental Management System requirements and ABS Quality System requirements are fulfilled within your areas of responsibility.

What You Will Need:

Education and Experience

• Minimum of seven (7) years of relevant engineering experience in a shipyard, maritime-related industry, research organization, robotics/welding automation environment, or classification society preferred.
• B.S. degree in Materials Science and Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Naval Architecture, Civil/Structural Engineering, Ocean Engineering, or other closely related discipline; an advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) with emphasis on materials or welding is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong foundation in materials science and engineering, with emphasis on metallic materials used in marine and offshore structures.
• Hands-on experience with welding processes (e.g., SMAW, GMAW, FCAW, SAW) in shipyard or heavy-fabrication environments, including welding procedure development, weld quality determination, and non-destructive testing (NDT/NDE).
• Familiarity with welding automation or robotic welding systems (including programming, process monitoring, or integration with production workflows); experience with humanoid or collaborative robots is a plus.
• Understanding of materials degradation mechanisms relevant to marine and offshore applications, including corrosion, fatigue, fracture, and related structural integrity considerations.
• Ability to interpret and apply relevant codes and standards (e.g., AWS, ASME, ISO, and/or comparable classification society requirements) related to materials, welding, and inspection.
• Experience using data from sensors, monitoring systems, or digital platforms to assess weld quality, structural condition, or material performance is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to lead project bidding and execution, either independently or as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical topics in clear, concise, and practical terms to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively and build strong working relationships across functions and organizations.
• Ability to perform under pressure and deliver results in a dynamic, fast-paced work environment.
• Proven technical writing skills and experience preparing formal reports, proposals, and/or technical papers.
• Working knowledge of the ABS Health, Safety, Quality, and Environmental Management System (or similar HSE/quality frameworks).

It Would Be Nice If You Had

• Experience developing or implementing digital tools related to welding and materials (e.g., data analytics, digital twins, or predictive models for weld quality or degradation).
• Proficiency in Python or similar programming languages for data analysis, automation, or integration with robotic systems.
• Prior experience working with or within shipyards, offshore construction yards, or robotic system suppliers in the maritime or heavy-industry sectors.

Reporting Relationships

Reports to a Manager or Director within the Technology organization.

ABOUT US

We set out more than 160 years ago to promote the security of life and property at sea and preserve the natural environment. Today, we remain true to our mission and continue to support organizations facing a rapidly evolving seascape of challenging regulations and new technologies. Through it all, we are anchored by a vision and mission that help our clients find clarity in uncertain times.

ABS is a global leader in marine and offshore classification and other innovative safety, quality, and environmental services. We're at the forefront of supporting the global energy transition at sea, the application of remote and autonomous marine systems, cutting-edge technical solutions, and many more exciting advancements. Our commitment to safety, reliability, and efficiency is ever-present, guiding our clients to safer and more efficient operations.

About Our Benefits

ABS Bureau proudly offers a variety of industry-leading benefits designed to enhance the life and well-being of our employees and their families. These benefits include, but are not limited to, medical insurance (PPO and HD), dental and vision insurance, Health Savings Account (HSA), Flexible Savings Account (FSA), life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, disability leave programs, parental leave program, paid holidays, and paid vacation time. The Company provides an Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) that offers support in personal wellness, including work-life services. ABS Bureau also offers a 401K plan with a generous company match, subject to plan requirements.

Equal Opportunity

ABS Bureau is committed to the equal employment opportunity of its employees and prohibits discrimination against any employee or qualified applicant based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status or veteran status, or other non-work-related characteristics that may be protected under the law of the Federal Government or specific state employment laws.

Notice

ABS and Affiliated Companies (ABS) will not pay a fee to any third-party agency without a valid ABS Master Service Agreement (MSA) authorized and signed by Human Resources. Any resume, CV, application, or other forms of candidate submission provided to any employee of ABS without a valid MSA on file will be considered property of ABS, and no fee will be paid.

Other

This job description is not intended, and should not be construed, to be an all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills, efforts or working conditions associated with the job of the incumbent. It is intended to be an accurate reflection of the principal job elements essential for making a fair decision regarding the pay structure of the job. #ogjs

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