Job Description – NQA-1 Quality Control Inspector
Position Summary
The NQA-1 Quality Control Inspector is responsible for performing inspection, documentation, and quality verification activities for complex steel fabrication work performed under AISC, AWS, project-specific, and nuclear quality assurance requirements. This position supports fabrication, welding, dimensional inspection, material verification, nondestructive examination coordination, and quality documentation in accordance with company procedures, approved drawings, specifications, and applicable codes.
This position requires strong technical inspection capability, disciplined documentation practices, and the ability to work in a highly controlled quality environment. The role requires, at minimum, AWS Certified Welding Inspector certification, magnetic particle testing experience, and the ability to read and interpret fabrication drawings, weld symbols, specifications, and inspection requirements.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Quality Control Inspection-
Perform visual inspection of fabricated steel components, weldments, assemblies, fit-up, final welds, dimensional features, and completed work.
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Verify that fabrication activities comply with approved drawings, specifications, work instructions, inspection plans, welding requirements, and applicable codes.
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Inspect material identification, heat numbers, traceability markings, weld identification, and component markings for compliance with project and quality program requirements.
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Review fabrication drawings, shop drawings, weld maps, procedures, inspection records, and project specifications to determine applicable inspection requirements.
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Perform in-process and final inspections at required hold points, witness points, and surveillance points.
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Identify and document nonconforming work, quality concerns, dimensional discrepancies, weld defects, documentation issues, and procedural deviations.
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Communicate inspection results clearly to production, welding personnel, supervisors, quality management, and project management.
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Support correction, reinspection, and closeout of nonconforming conditions in accordance with company procedures.
Welding and Nondestructive Examination Support-
Perform weld inspection before, during, and after welding operations in accordance with AWS, project specifications, approved welding procedures, and company quality requirements.
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Verify proper use of approved welding procedures, welder qualifications, filler metals, preheat requirements, interpass temperature controls, joint preparation, fit-up, and weld sequencing requirements.
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Perform or support magnetic particle testing activities as qualified and authorized by company procedures.
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Coordinate with internal and third-party NDE personnel for magnetic particle, ultrasonic, radiographic, dye penetrant, or other required examinations.
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Review NDE reports for completeness, accuracy, traceability, acceptance criteria, and proper association with inspected components.
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Confirm weld repairs are performed in accordance with approved repair procedures and properly reinspected before acceptance.
NQA-1 and Quality Program Compliance-
Support implementation of the company’s nuclear quality assurance program and applicable NQA-1 requirements.
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Perform inspection activities in accordance with written procedures, inspection plans, quality control checklists, approved drawings, specifications, and customer requirements.
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Maintain objective quality evidence through accurate, complete, legible, and traceable inspection records.
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Verify that quality records include required signatures, dates, revision references, identification numbers, inspection results, acceptance criteria, and supporting documentation.
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Support material traceability, document control, calibration control, receiving inspection, traveler signoffs, and final quality package preparation.
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Assist with customer inspections, source inspections, surveillance activities, audits, and quality reviews.
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Identify conditions adverse to quality and report them in accordance with company procedures.
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Support corrective action, root cause investigation, and continuous improvement efforts as required.
Drawing, Specification, and Documentation Review-
Read and interpret structural steel fabrication drawings, weld symbols, bills of material, erection drawings, inspection plans, specifications, and quality requirements.
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Verify fabricated components against drawing dimensions, tolerances, connection details, weld requirements, hole patterns, material requirements, and assembly criteria.
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Confirm that inspection activities are performed to the correct drawing revision, specification revision, and approved project documents.
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Review material test reports, certificates of conformance, welding records, NDE reports, receiving records, and inspection forms for completeness and accuracy.
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Maintain organized inspection files, quality records, and project documentation to support auditability and final turnover requirements.
Communication and Cross-Functional Coordination-
Work closely with quality management, production supervision, welding personnel, project management, engineering, document control, and customer representatives.
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Provide timely inspection feedback to minimize rework, support production flow, and maintain compliance with quality requirements.
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Participate in quality meetings, production meetings, pre-inspection meetings, and project coordination discussions as required.
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Communicate quality expectations professionally and consistently in a shop fabrication environment.
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Support a culture of safety, quality, accountability, and procedural compliance.
Required Qualifications-
Current AWS Certified Welding Inspector certification.
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Minimum experience with magnetic particle testing, including practical understanding of MT methods, acceptance criteria, documentation, and inspection limitations.
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Ability to read and interpret fabrication drawings, weld symbols, shop drawings, bills of material, specifications, and inspection requirements.
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Experience inspecting structural steel, complex weldments, bridge components, industrial steel, heavy fabrication, pressure-related components, or nuclear-related fabrication.
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Working knowledge of AWS D1.1, AWS D1.5, AWS D1.6, or other applicable welding codes as required by project scope.
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Understanding of material traceability, weld traceability, quality records, inspection hold points, nonconformance reporting, and corrective action processes.
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Ability to use standard inspection tools, including tape measures, levels, squares, weld gauges, fillet weld gauges, calipers, micrometers, straightedges, and other dimensional inspection equipment.
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Strong written and verbal communication skills.
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High attention to detail and ability to produce accurate, complete, and legible inspection documentation.
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Ability to work independently while following written procedures and management direction.
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Commitment to company safety, quality, and compliance standards.
Preferred Qualifications-
Prior experience working under an ASME NQA-1, nuclear, DOE, or other highly controlled quality assurance program.
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Experience with AISC Certified Fabricator requirements, preferably complex bridge, hydraulic structure, industrial, or nuclear fabrication.
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ASNT SNT-TC-1A or CP-189 Level II certification or documented qualification in magnetic particle testing.
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Additional NDE qualifications in ultrasonic testing, dye penetrant testing, radiographic film interpretation, or visual testing.
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Experience with nuclear safety-related work, commercial nuclear fabrication, NQA-1 procurement, source inspection, or quality record packages.
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Familiarity with ASME Section III, ASME Section IX, ASME B31.1, ASME B31.3, AWS D1.1, AWS D1.5, AWS D1.6, AISC, RCSC, or project-specific nuclear specifications.
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Experience reviewing MTRs, certificates of conformance, welding procedure specifications, procedure qualification records, welder performance qualifications, NDE reports, and calibration records.
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Proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, Excel, Word, Bluebeam, and electronic document management systems.
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Experience supporting customer audits, supplier audits, internal audits, and third-party inspections.
Key Competencies-
Welding inspection knowledge and practical shop-floor judgment.
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Strong understanding of drawing interpretation and fabrication requirements.
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NQA-1 quality mindset with emphasis on procedure compliance and objective evidence.
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Accuracy in documentation, inspection records, traceability, and quality package preparation.
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Ability to identify weld defects, dimensional issues, documentation gaps, and nonconforming conditions.
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Professional communication with production, quality, project management, and customer representatives.
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Strong follow-up, organization, and time management.
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Ability to work effectively in a high-volume, schedule-sensitive fabrication environment.
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Sound judgment when balancing production needs with quality compliance.
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Commitment to safety, quality, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Work Conditions-
Shop-based inspection role within a complex steel fabrication environment.
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Regular exposure to fabrication activities, welding operations, grinding, material handling, overhead cranes, forklifts, coatings preparation areas, and active production work.
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Periodic office work for documentation review, inspection reports, quality records, and project closeout files.
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Must be able to walk, stand, bend, climb, access fabricated assemblies, and perform inspections in a fabrication shop environment.
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Must be able to use inspection tools, read drawings, and complete documentation accurately.
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May require overtime, schedule flexibility, and occasional travel for supplier inspection, customer inspection, field inspection, or project support.
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Must follow all company safety procedures, PPE requirements, and quality program requirements.
Reporting Structure
This position reports to Quality Management and works closely with production supervision, project management, welding personnel, engineering, document control, and customer or third-party inspection representatives. The NQA-1 Quality Control Inspector is expected to support cross-functional coordination while maintaining inspection independence, procedural compliance, and objective quality documentation.
Performance Expectations
Successful performance in this role will be measured by:
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Accuracy and completeness of inspection records.
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Timely completion of required inspections, hold points, witness points, and quality documentation.
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Effective identification and communication of nonconforming conditions.
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Compliance with NQA-1, AISC, AWS, project-specific, and company quality requirements.
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Quality and traceability of inspection documentation and final turnover records.
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Responsiveness to production, quality management, project management, and customer needs.
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Reduction of rework through effective in-process inspection and early issue identification.
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Professional conduct during customer inspections, audits, and third-party reviews.
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Consistent adherence to safety, quality, and procedural requirements.
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