Engineer, Senior II, Technology

American Bureau of Shipping•Houston, TX

About The Position

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.

Requirements

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.
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).

Nice To Haves

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.

Responsibilities

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.