Keeping the sparks flying: precision welding and team spirit

Welding requires technology, but also far more: precision, creative solutions and, above all else, team spirit. Marisa Bonk, a welding engineer at BMA, plays a key role in the quality assurance of welding joints. She particularly enjoys the variety of tasks her work offers: “What makes my work so special is that there are new, unexpected and challenging tasks and experiences every day.

Almost every component built by BMA for machinery and plants requires welding, such as the parts that make up the calandrias used in a batch pan. “Welding is exciting because it’s so much more than bonding metals”, says Marisa. “You need in-depth knowledge of the individual materials and processes, and how physical factors affect welding quality.” 

Meeting the highest standards: quality assurance in welding 

Marisa’s tasks include both quality assurance and close collaboration with the TÜV and other certification bodies. She plans and coordinates compliance audits for the relevant standards and acts as the interface between the design and production departments, to ensure all welding specification requirements are properly implemented.  

A strong team for strong welds 

Both technical expertise and a strong team are required for this. “The continued exchange with colleagues and other departments is a major part of my job”, says Marisa. “It’s a great help that we have such an amazing team in tank construction. Communication among colleagues is really fantastic.“ 

From trainee to student to welding engineer 

Marisa’s career path started in the design department at BMA, where she completed her training as an industrial designer. With a part-time degree in mechanical engineering at Hochschule Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, followed by a course at the Schweißtechnische Lehr- und Versuchsanstalt welding academy in Hanover to qualify as a welding engineer, she laid the foundations for her career. 

An occupation in flux: women in welding 

Marisa is the only female welding engineer at BMA, in a field that is still very much a male domain. But that is of little importance in her everyday work – what counts are quality work and a good team spirit. And Marisa believes that the occupation is slowly changing: “Current trends show that more and more women go for a career in welding”, she says. 

Dedication and commitment: qualifying as a welding engineer 

Marisa’s story shows that dedication and commitment pay off. Her study workload on top of a full-time job was huge, she says – but it was well worth it: “Qualifying as a welding engineer has opened up new career opportunities for me, but it was also important for my personal growth. I’d do it again any time.”