Coatings Inspector II (AMPP CIP Level 2) — Albuquerque, NM

Construction Material Testing; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 55,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Construction Material Testing is seeking a Coatings Inspector II to lead inspection of protective coatings on industrial, water, and infrastructure projects. You will plan hold points, verify surface prep, application, and cure, and sign off at each hold point.

The role includes adhesion and holiday testing, defect disposition, and supervising Level 1 inspectors on larger projects. You will write inspection and nonconformance reports and represent the program to owners and applicators.

Qualifications

• AMPP (NACE) CIP Level 2 certification, current, with 2+ years inspecting under it.
• Experience on tank linings, pipelines, water/wastewater, or structural steel coatings.
• Knowledge of SSPC/NACE surface preparation standards.
• Must be able to stop an out-of-spec application and document it for closure.
• Valid driver's license and ability to work on active jobsites.

Responsibilities

• Plan inspection hold points and testing from coating specs and manufacturer data.
• Verify surface prep, application, and cure with sign-off at hold points.
• Perform adhesion, holiday, and cure testing.
• Dispost defects and specify repairs.
• Supervise Level 1 inspectors on larger projects.
• Write inspection and nonconformance reports.
• Represent the inspection program to owner and applicator.

Skills

Coatings inspection

Quality control

Safety compliance

Team supervision

Documentation

Education

AMPP CIP Level 2 certification

SSPC/NACE standards knowledge

Tools

Film thickness mapping

Adhesion testing equipment

Holiday testing equipment

Surface preparation standards

Job description

A Coatings Inspector II leads the inspection of protective coating and lining work on industrial, water, and infrastructure projects with sign-off authority: planning inspection hold points from the coating specification, verifying surface preparation, application, and cure, performing adhesion and holiday testing, resolving nonconformances with the applicator, and writing the inspection reports the owner and engineer rely on. AMPP (NACE) CIP Level 2 is required; experience with tank linings, pipeline coatings, or bridge and structural steel coatings sets the assignment.

Responsibilities: Plan inspection hold points and testing from the coating specification and the manufacturer's data; Verify surface preparation, application, and cure with sign-off authority at each hold point; Perform adhesion, holiday, and cure testing; disposition defects and specify repairs; Supervise Level 1 inspectors on larger projects and review their logs; Write inspection and nonconformance reports; represent the inspection program to the owner and applicator.

Qualifications: AMPP (NACE) CIP Level 2 certification, current, with 2+ years inspecting under it; Command of SSPC/NACE surface preparation standards and common industrial coating systems; Experience on tank, pipeline, water/wastewater, or structural steel coating projects; Able to stop an application that is out of specification and document it so it closes.

What a week in this job looks like:

You own the hold points: the specification says when the work can proceed, and the applicator waits on your signature at each one. A typical week runs from a pre-job meeting on a new tank lining, through blast and profile verification, first and second coat inspection with film thickness mapping, to a holiday test before the tank goes back in service. When a reading is out — film too thin, dew point too close, a batch past pot life — you stop it, write it, and specify the fix. On larger projects you have a Level 1 inspector taking readings under you; their log is part of your report, and its quality is your responsibility.

Certifications, training, and where this leads:

Level 2 leads to CIP Level 3 with the required experience and peer review, and into coatings quality management on industrial programs. Sponsored training covers concrete coatings and linings, cathodic protection basics, and the specific systems your clients specify.

Pay, schedule, and travel:

Pay runs $40 to $55 an hour depending on certifications held, verified experience, and the program you are assigned to. Coating schedules follow the weather and the outage calendar: early starts to catch the dew point window, night shifts on some industrial turnarounds, and extended days when a tank has to go back in service. Texas positions are dispatched from the Sugar Land headquarters; project-site positions elsewhere are staffed on a project basis with travel and per diem as assigned, and the listing for your city says which one it is.

Safety, quality, and the standards we work under:

Coatings inspection is performed to the project specification and the SSPC/NACE and AMPP standards it references, and reported under our documented AASHTO R18 quality system. Readings are reported as taken; a hold point is not released on a promise. The safety side includes confined-space entry, respiratory protection around blasting and solvents, and work at height; the training is provided and the requirements are not optional.

How hiring works, and our commitment:

The role requires a valid driver's license and the ability to be present on active jobsites, with pre-employment screening consistent with jobsite and client requirements.

We are an equal opportunity employer and consider every applicant without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or veteran status.