Thu, 08 January, 2026
Paul Emery is the Director of RJ Welding Engineering Ltd, delivering specialist welding engineering support to organisations on both a retained and ad-hoc basis. His expertise ranges from practical, hands-on welding training and technical guidance to advanced consultancy as a Welding Subject Matter Expert (SME). He supports clients across diverse sectors including nuclear, naval marine, oil and gas, chemical processing, and medical industries.
His career began in 1998 as an apprentice welder with Curtsons Engineering, a specialist fabrication company focused on stainless steel tanks, vessels, and pipework. Following his apprenticeship, he gained further experience within the projects and design department, broadening his technical knowledge and exposure to different aspects of the business.
From 2005 to 2012, he then worked with several fabrication companies as a welder, obtaining a wide range of practical experience and welding qualifications. His work covered multiple processes and materials, including MAG (135, 136), MMA (111), and SAW (121) for heavy plate and section fabrication in the oil & gas and bridge construction sectors, as well as TIG (141) welding on thin-gauge stainless steels, aluminium, and nickel alloys for applications in the nuclear and aerospace industries.
In 2012, Paul then transitioned into a trainee welding engineer role, advancing over a ten-year period to a fully qualified welding engineer. During this time, he completed a Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Fabrication and Welding a Master’s Degree in Welding Engineering at Cranfield University, the European Federation for Welding, Joining and Cutting (EWF) and International Institute for Welding (IIW) Welding Coordination Diploma, and CSWIP Senior Welding Inspection certification with TWI Certification Ltd.
In regards to why he sought these certifications and qualifications, and what benefits they have to him, Paul said “I pursued these certifications and qualifications to complement my practical welding experience with advanced technical knowledge. They have strengthened my capability as a welding engineer by deepening my understanding of the metallurgical and mechanical implications of various welding, fabrication, and manufacturing methods. This combination of hands-on experience and academic training equips me with the expertise to make informed, technically sound judgements and decisions, ensuring the standards of quality, safety, and reliability within industry applications. The process of gaining certification provided valuable opportunities to connect with a wide network of professionals, many of whom I continue to work with regularly in industry. Completing it in a progressive manner allowed me to build confidence step by step; while the initial stages felt daunting, the process became increasingly straightforward as I advanced through each stage of my academic and professional development”.
Establishing RJ Welding Engineering Ltd in 2021, Paul now assists in the analysis of existing welding and fabrication practises to identify opportunities for improvement, then implementing optimised solutions to enhance efficiency, reduce fabrication time, and minimise rework costs. He also supports organisations in the process of achieving and maintaining certification in accordance with welding standards such as BS EN ISO 3834 and BS EN 1090. Paul also acts as responsible Welding Coordinator (rWC) for several companies, providing end-to-end welding engineering support – from contract review and bid stage assessments through to fabrication, welding execution, and project completion.
So what is next for an individual who has already built such an impressive career? His next career objective is to obtain Chartered Engineer (CEng) status with the Engineering Council, further reinforcing his professional standing within the industry. He also plans to increase his involvement in networking opportunities and committee activities within the welding community. He hopes that these steps will not only support his own professional development but also strengthen and expand the reach of his business by fostering new collaborations and industry engagement.
If you are interested in gaining certification with us, please head to our website to find the right certification for you.