Quality Inspector- Pipe fabrication
The Quality Inspector is responsible for inspecting pipe fabrication, welding, materials, and completed assemblies to ensure compliance with drawings, specifications, welding procedures, customer requirements, and applicable codes. This position works closely with welders, fitters, supervisors, engineering personnel, and quality management to identify and resolve quality issues.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Inspect incoming pipe, fittings, flanges, valves, welding consumables, and other materials for proper identification, condition, dimensions, and certifications.
- Verify material heat numbers and maintain material traceability throughout fabrication.
- Review drawings, specifications, bills of material, inspection plans, welding procedure specifications (WPSs), and applicable code requirements.
- Perform fit-up inspections before welding, including alignment, root opening, bevel angle, joint preparation, cleanliness, backing, and tack welds.
- Verify that welders are qualified for the welding process, position, material, and thickness being welded.
- Confirm that the correct WPS, filler metal, shielding gas, preheat, interpass temperature, and welding parameters are being used.
- Conduct visual inspections of welds for cracks, undercut, overlap, porosity, incomplete fusion, improper weld size, poor profile, arc strikes, and other discontinuities.
- Inspect pipe dimensions, orientation, flange alignment, bolt-hole orientation, branch connections, supports, and overall assembly configuration.
- Verify that measuring and inspection equipment has current calibration.
- Coordinate or review nondestructive examination activities, such as PT, MT, UT, and RT, when required.
- Document inspection results, nonconformance reports, repair activities, weld maps, inspection reports, and final acceptance records.
- Monitor weld repairs and confirm that repaired areas are reinspected according to the applicable procedure.
- Verify completion of required pressure tests, leak tests, cleaning, coating, and final inspections.
- Identify nonconforming work and communicate corrective requirements to production supervision.
- Participate in root-cause investigations and corrective-action activities.
- Maintain organized and accurate quality records for customer and code review.
- Support customer, third-party, and regulatory inspections or audits.
- Follow all company safety policies and stop work when unsafe or noncompliant conditions are identified.
Knowledge and Skills
- Knowledge of pipe fabrication, welding processes, weld symbols, joint designs, and common welding defects.
- Ability to read fabrication drawings, isometric drawings, P&IDs, specifications, and weld maps.
- Understanding of SMAW, GTAW, GMAW, FCAW, and other applicable welding processes.
- Familiarity with applicable standards, such as ASME Section IX, ASME B31.1, ASME B31.3, AWS D1.1, and API 1104, as required by the project.
- Ability to use weld gauges, calipers, micrometers, tape measures, levels, squares, temperature-measuring devices, and other inspection tools.
- Strong attention to detail and accurate documentation skills.
- Ability to communicate quality requirements professionally with employees, supervisors, customers, and inspectors.
- Basic computer skills, including email, spreadsheets, and electronic inspection records.
Minimum Qualifications
- High school diploma or GED.
- Two or more years of pipe fabrication, welding inspection, welding, or quality-control experience.
- Experience inspecting pipe fit-up and completed welds.
- Ability to interpret drawings, welding procedures, and acceptance criteria.
- Valid driver’s license when travel between jobsites is required.
Preferred Qualifications
- AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) or Certified Associate Welding Inspector (CAWI).
- ASNT Level II certification or documented NDE training in PT, MT, UT, or RT.
- Experience working under ASME, AWS, or API requirements.
- Experience with pressure piping, structural welding, fabrication shops, or field construction.
- OSHA 10- or OSHA 30-hour training.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to stand, walk, bend, climb, kneel, and work in fabrication-shop and jobsite environments.
- Ability to inspect work at floor level, overhead, in confined spaces, and from elevated work areas when properly protected.
- Ability to lift and carry inspection equipment weighing up to 40 pounds.
- Ability to work around welding fumes, grinding operations, noise, heat, and changing weather conditions while wearing required personal protective equipment.
Work Environment
Work may be performed in fabrication shops, manufacturing facilities, construction sites, and outdoor environments. The employee must wear required PPE, which may include safety glasses, a hard hat, hearing protection, gloves, safety-toe footwear, and respiratory protection when required.
Performance Expectations
The Quality Inspector is expected to maintain accurate records, apply inspection requirements consistently, communicate deficiencies promptly, protect material and weld traceability, and prevent nonconforming work from being released.
Pay: $20.00 - $40.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Referral program
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
