Certified Welding Inspector (CWI)

Industrial Electric Manufacturing; San Antonio (TX); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits

Job summary

IEM is seeking a Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) to ensure welded structural steel components meet project specs and AWS D1.1 requirements. This on-site role supports production, engineering, and customers, performing in-process and final inspections and maintaining all quality records.

The role requires AWS CWI, 3–5 years in heavy fabrication, and proficiency in witnessing welds and nondestructive examination coordination.

Qualifications

• AWS CWI certification required.
• Knowledge of AWS D1.1 Stee l welding code.
• 3–5 years welding inspection in heavy fabrication.
• Experience inspecting GMAW, FCAW, SMAW, GTAW.
• Ability to read drawings, weld maps, and P&IDs.
• Familiarity with WPS/PQR docs and traceability.
• Proficient with MS Office and QA systems.

Responsibilities

• Perform visual and dimensional inspection of weldments and structures.
• Verify welding to WPSs and qualify welders.
• Maintain welder qualification records and QA documents.
• Coordinate NDE when required by specs.
• Support inspection hold points and final turnover.
• Communicate findings to stakeholders.
• Participate in root-cause analysis and continuous improvement.

Skills

Reading drawings

Welding inspection

Documentation

Communication

Quality control

MS Office

Quality systems

Education

AWS CWI certification

Tools

Weld gauges

Calipers

Fillet gauges

Tape measures

Levels and squares

Temperature indicators

Job description

At IEM, we’re not just building innovative electrical distribution systems, we’re shaping the future. IEM is dedicated to delivering world-class solutions for complex power needs. After 75 years, we continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible. Whether you’re an experienced professional or just starting out, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute, grow, and make a lasting impact on industries that power the world’s most dynamic markets.

Location: This position will be based temporarily in NE San Antonio while our new manufacturing plant is coming online. Our permanent location is approximately 25 minutes away at Brooks, 7515 Inner Circle Dr., San Antonio, 78235. The position is also 100% in-office and does not offer remote work.

Position Summary: The Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) is responsible for ensuring welded structural steel components and assemblies used in skids, modular equipment packages, E-houses, and related fabricated products meet applicable project specifications, drawings, welding procedures, and AWS D1.1 Structural Welding Code—Steel requirements.

This role provides in-process and final welding inspection, maintains required quality documentation, supports production teams, and works with engineering, project management, and customers to resolve welding-quality issues.

Key Responsibilities:

• Perform visual and dimensional inspection of structural steel weldments, skid frames, equipment supports, E-house structural members, lifting lugs, platforms, stairs, handrails, and related fabricated assemblies.
• Inspect fit-up, joint preparation, weld quality, weld profiles, weld sizes, discontinuities, and completed weldments in accordance with AWS D1.1, approved drawings, weld procedures, and project specifications.
• Verify welding is performed to approved WPSs and that welders are qualified for the applicable welding process, position, material, thickness range, and joint type.
• Review and maintain welder qualification records, WPSs, PQRs, continuity logs, weld maps, inspection reports, and other quality records.
• Conduct pre-weld, in-process, and final inspections, including verification of material identification, traceability, joint fit-up, preheat/interpass temperatures, consumable control, and post-weld requirements.
• Identify nonconforming welds or fabrication conditions; document deficiencies through NCRs or internal quality processes; coordinate corrective actions and verify repairs.
• Coordinate and review nondestructive examination (NDE), including MT, PT, UT, or RT, when required by contract documents or project specifications.
• Verify repair welding is completed in accordance with approved procedures and reinspect repaired areas.
• Perform dimensional checks to confirm fabricated skids and E-house structural assemblies meet drawings, tolerances, plumbness, squareness, and interface requirements.
• Support inspection hold points, customer witness points, third‑party inspections, and final turnover documentation.
• Communicate inspection findings clearly to welders, supervisors, engineering, project management, and customers while maintaining an objective, production‑supportive approach.
• Participate in root‑cause analysis and continuous‑improvement initiatives related to weld quality, rework, fabrication efficiency, and safety.
• Maintain inspection tools, gauges, temperature‑measuring equipment, and calibration records.
• Follow all company safety policies, quality procedures, and applicable customer requirements.
• Flexible and adaptable team player who operates with agility and resourcefulness and thrives in an often‑changing environment. You will be operating with a start‑up mindset and must be willing to help wherever needed - "not my job" is an unacceptable response.

Qualifications:

• Current AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) certification.
• Working knowledge of AWS D1.1 Structural Welding Code—Steel.
• Minimum 3–5 years of welding inspection experience in structural steel, industrial fabrication, modular skids, process equipment, or similar heavy fabrication.
• Experience inspecting GMAW, FCAW, SMAW, and/or GTAW welding processes.
• Ability to read and interpret fabrication drawings, welding symbols, P&IDs, general arrangement drawings, weld maps, bills of material, and project specifications.
• Knowledge of weld discontinuities, acceptance criteria, weld repair methods, and visual inspection techniques.
• Familiarity with welder qualification requirements, WPS/PQR documentation, material traceability, and quality‑record control.
• Ability to use standard inspection tools, including weld gauges, fillet gauges, calipers, tape measures, levels, squares, and temperature‑indicating devices.
• Strong written documentation, communication, and organizational skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and electronic quality‑documentation systems.

Preferred Qualifications:

• AWS Senior Certified Welding Inspector (SCWI), Certified Welding Educator (CWE), or NDE certification.
• Experience with AWS D1.5, ASME Section IX, or customer‑specific welding requirements.
• Experience in fabrication of industrial skids, electrical houses, switchgear enclosures, modular process systems, pipe racks, or structural steel packages.
• Familiarity with ISO 9001 quality‑management systems.
• Experience working with customer inspectors, third‑party inspectors, and EPC project documentation requirements.
• Knowledge of coating inspection, including surface preparation and paint/coating hold points.

Physical Demands:

• Ability to work in a manufacturing and fabrication environment, including exposure to noise, welding fumes, heat, dust, and changing weather conditions.
• Ability to walk fabrication areas, climb stairs and ladders, access elevated work areas, and inspect large assemblies.
• Ability to lift and carry inspection tools and equipment up to [30–50] pounds.
• Ability to use appropriate personal protective equipment, including safety glasses, steel‑toe footwear, hearing protection, hard hat, gloves, and fall‑protection equipment when required.

Compensation actually offered for this role will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors.

Why Join IEM

At IEM, you’ll join a team that powers some of the world’s most ambitious projects. We’re engineers, makers, and problem‑solvers who thrive on tackling complex challenges and delivering solutions that keep industries moving forward. If you’re driven, collaborative, and ready to make an impact, we’d love to hear from you. Your creativity and passion can help us achieve great things—come be part of the journey.

We offer comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support our employees' well‑being, growth, and long‑term success. View a snapshot of our benefits at https://www.iemfg.com/careers

IEM does not discriminate against any applicant based on any characteristic protected by law.

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