Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) - Quality Control Inspector

Job Summary

The Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) - Quality Control Inspector is responsible for overseeing project-specific quality control programs from project kickoff through completion. This role performs inspections of welding activities, materials, piping systems, and mechanical installations to ensure compliance with applicable codes, specifications, and quality standards. The CWI monitors and documents quality throughout the construction process, analyzes inspection data, identifies nonconformances, and collaborates with project teams to implement corrective actions and continuous improvement initiatives that support safe, reliable, and high-quality project delivery.

Essential Duties

• Perform quality control inspections and quality assurance activities throughout all phases of mechanical construction projects, including quality walks, field audits, punch list management, and verification of work against project specifications and drawings.
• Conduct visual welding inspections in accordance with AWS, ASME, API, and other applicable codes and standards as a Certified Welding Inspector (CWI).
• Review and verify welding documentation, including WPSs, PQRs, welder qualifications, weld maps, and weld logs to ensure compliance with project and code requirements.
• Monitor welding operations, including SMAW, GTAW, GMAW, FCAW, and other approved processes, to verify adherence to established procedures and quality standards.
• Coordinate, witness, and document NDT/NDE activities, including radiographic (RT), ultrasonic (UT), magnetic particle (MT), and liquid penetrant (PT) testing, as required.
• Verify material identification, traceability, heat numbers, receiving records, and quality documentation to ensure compliance with project requirements.
• Review construction drawings, specifications, submittals, and applicable codes to validate installation quality and compliance.
• Schedule, coordinate, and witness field testing activities for piping and mechanical systems, documenting results and resolving quality concerns.
• Identify, document, and investigate nonconformances (NCRs), perform root cause analysis, and drive corrective and preventive actions to resolution.
• Collect, maintain, and analyze quality metrics and inspection data to identify trends, improve processes, and support project reporting requirements.
• Partner with project managers, field leadership, fabrication teams, subcontractors, and clients to proactively resolve quality issues and ensure successful project execution.
• Support commissioning, turnover, and closeout activities to verify systems meet project, quality, and customer requirements.
• Promote continuous improvement initiatives, Lean principles, and best practices that enhance quality, safety, productivity, and customer satisfaction.
• Participate in project planning, prefabrication, constructability reviews, and materials management activities to ensure quality requirements are incorporated early in the project lifecycle.

Minimum Requirements

Education

• High School Diploma or GED required
• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Quality Assurance, Welding Technology, Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field preferred

Certifications

• AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) certification required
• Current or ability to obtain site-specific owner certifications, as required
• Additional certifications such as ASNT Level II (RT, UT, MT, PT), API 510, API 570, or API 653 preferred

Experience

• 2+ years of experience as a Certified Welding Inspector, Quality Inspector, or QA/QC professional in mechanical construction, piping, fabrication, welding, or industrial environments
• Experience inspecting welded piping systems, structural steel, pressure piping, or mechanical installations preferred
• Experience in commercial mechanical contracting, industrial construction, fabrication, or manufacturing environments preferred
• Experience coordinating or witnessing NDT/NDE activities preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of welding inspection principles, quality systems, and applicable codes and standards, including AWS, ASME, and API
• Ability to read and interpret construction drawings, specifications, P&IDs, isometric drawings, weld symbols, and inspection reports
• Working knowledge of welding processes including SMAW, GTAW, GMAW, and FCAW
• Understanding of NDT/NDE methods, material traceability, and quality documentation requirements
• Experience identifying nonconformances, performing root cause analysis, and implementing corrective actions
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and digital inspection/documentation systems
• Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work independently in both field and office environments while managing multiple priorities
• High attention to detail with a commitment to quality, safety, and continuous improvement