Quality Control Assistant

Capitol Engineering Co.; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 25,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Job summary

Capitol Engineering is a growing custom fabrication company delivering quality steel products to diverse industries. We seek a Quality Control Assistant to support the QC Supervisor on the shop floor, perform weld inspections, verify conformance to drawings and codes, and maintain inspection records.

This role is non-supervisory and on-site. The ideal candidate has a high school diploma (associate degree preferred), basic computer skills, and strong attention to detail.

Qualifications

• Visual weld inspection experience and ability to identify common weld defects.
• Ability to read and interpret welding drawings and procedures.
• Experience documenting inspection results and maintaining records.

Responsibilities

• Perform in-process and final visual weld inspections according to AWS D1.1 and Capitol standards.
• Identify weld deficiencies and communicate corrective actions to welders and production staff.
• Verify fitup, joint preparation, and adherence to WPS for each weld.
• Inspect incoming materials with Receiving/Inventory Coordinator and ensure proper labeling.
• Maintain thorough inspection records and documentation per QMS requirements.
• Assist with NDE coordination and nonconformance reporting as needed.

Skills

Visual weld inspection

Quality assurance

Verbal communication

Documentation

Basic computer literacy

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate degree or technical coursework (welding/quality)

Tools

Fillet weld gauges

Calipers

Inspection tools

Job description

Capitol Engineering is an established and expanding custom fabrication company delivering high quality engineered & fabricated steel products to a wide variety of industries including mining, agriculture, and general industrial applications. CapitolEngineering was established in 1937 and we are currently growing at a rapid pace and are looking to add a Quality Control Assistant to our team. Our core values are STEEL: Safety, Teamwork, Efficiency, Excellence, and Leadership. Safety is woven into our culture, and everyone is expected to take responsibility for maintaining a safe working environment, looking out for one another, and making safety a priority in every decision and action.

The QC Assistant supports the Quality Control Supervisor in carrying out Capitol Engineering's day-to-day inspection and quality assurance activities across the fabrication floor. This role is responsible for performing visual weld inspections, identifying and clearly communicating deficiencies to welders and production personnel, verifying that work conforms to applicable drawings, welding procedures, and code requirements, and maintaining accurate inspection documentation. The QC Assistant works closely with the shop team and reports directly to the Quality Control Supervisor, serving as a frontline quality presence on the production floor. This is a non-supervisory position.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Weld Inspection & Quality Verification

• Perform in-process and final visual weld inspections on fabricated assemblies in accordance with applicable welding codes (primarily AWS D1.1) and Capitol's quality standards.
• Evaluate welds against code and drawing acceptance criteria, identifying deficiencies such as undercut, porosity, incomplete fusion, cracks, incorrect weld size, and dimensional non-conformances.
• Verify fitup and joint preparation prior to welding; confirm that joint geometry, root openings, and material preparation meet the requirements of the applicable Welding Procedure Specification (WPS).
• Confirm that welders are working from and following the correct, current approved WPS for each weld they are performing.
• Perform dimensional inspections of fabricated members and assemblies to verify conformance with shop drawings and
• Inspect incoming materials with the Receiving/Inventory Coordinator to verify material identification labels, quantities, and documentation match purchase orders and job requirements.
• Clearly and professionally communicate weld deficiencies and inspection findings directly to welders and fabrication team members on the shop floor.
• Explain the specific nature of each deficiency — what the issue is, what the code or WPS requires, and what corrective action is needed — in a manner that is constructive and easy to understand.
• Relay inspection hold points, witness points, and quality requirements to production personnel at the appropriate stage of fabrication to prevent progression of non-conforming work.
• Communicate all significant findings, recurring deficiencies, and unresolved quality issues to the QC Supervisor promptly and with sufficient detail to support disposition decisions.
• Support the QC Supervisor in delivering corrective guidance and coaching to welders when technique errors or WPS deviations are identified.

Nonconformance Documentation

• Initiate and complete Nonconformance Reports (NCRs) for identified deficiencies, capturing accurate objective evidence including weld location, deficiency type, applicable code reference, and photos as required.
• Ensure nonconforming material and welds are properly identified and marked to prevent inadvertent acceptance or
• Verify that corrective rework or repairs have been completed satisfactorily before re-releasing work for the next operation or final inspection.
• Maintain accurate, complete inspection records for each job in accordance with Capitol's QMS documentation requirements.

NDE Support & Coordination

• Assist the QC Supervisor with scheduling and coordinating nondestructive examination (NDE) activities including magnetic particle testing (MT), liquid penetrant testing (PT), and ultrasonic testing (UT).
• Support NDE activities on the shop floor as directed by the QC Supervisor, including surface preparation, access coordination, and follow-up documentation.
• Perform basic NDE methods as trained and authorized; all NDE work performed independently requires qualification under Capitol's Written Practice per ASNT SNT-TC-1A.

Drawing & Document Review

• Review shop drawings and work orders prior to and during inspection to confirm that fabricated work matches dimensional requirements, weld callouts, and applicable notes.
• Verify that production personnel are working from current, approved revisions of shop drawings; notify the QC Supervisor immediately if superseded documents are identified in use.
• Reference applicable welding codes and WPSs during inspection activities to confirm acceptance criteria are correctly applied.

QMS Support & Record Keeping

• Maintain thorough, legible, and organized inspection records for all assigned projects in accordance with Capitol's quality management system requirements.
• Assist the QC Supervisor with maintaining welder qualification continuity logs, calibration records, and other QMS documentation as directed.
• Support internal audit preparation and audit activities by ensuring records are complete and accessible when requested.
• Follow all documented QMS procedures and work instructions applicable to the QC Assistant role.

Additional Duties

• Perform other related duties as assigned in support of quality control operations and Capitol's fabrication quality objectives.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• High school diploma or equivalent required; associate degree or technical coursework in welding technology, quality, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum 2 years of hands-on experience in a welding, fabrication, or quality inspection role within a manufacturing or structural steel environment.
• Demonstrated ability to visually assess weld quality and identify common weld defects and discontinuities in a production setting.
• Working knowledge of weld symbols, joint types, and basic fabrication drawing interpretation.
• Familiarity with Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS) and the ability to verify that weld parameters and techniques conform to documented procedure requirements.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to maintain accurate, organized inspection documentation.
• Clear and professional verbal communication skills; ability to deliver quality findings and corrective requirements to welders and production personnel directly and constructively.
• Basic computer literacy sufficient to complete digital inspection forms, access job documentation, and communicate
• Ability to pass drug screen and background check.

Preferred

• Familiarity with AWS D1.1 (Structural Welding Code - Steel) visual inspection acceptance criteria.
• AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) credential, or active progress toward CWI certification; support for obtaining this credential may be available.
• Experience performing or assisting with nondestructive examination (MT, PT, UT) in a fabrication or industrial
• Familiarity with nonconformance reporting systems and quality management documentation practices.
• Prior experience working within an AISC-certified or similarly quality-audited fabrication environment.
• Experience using fillet weld gauges, calipers, and other basic inspection tools.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Physical Requirements

• Regularly required to stand, walk, and move throughout the fabrication shop floor for extended periods during inspection activities.
• Occasional bending, kneeling, and reaching to access weld joints and assembly areas in various positions.
• Occasional lifting and carrying of documents, binders, and inspection equipment up to 25 lbs.
• Must be able to perform close visual inspection and use hand-held measurement and inspection tools in shop conditions.
• Must be able to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) including safety glasses, hard hat, and steel-toed footwear at all times on the shop floor.

Environmental Conditions

• Work is performed primarily in a fabrication shop environment subject to noise, heat, dust, welding fumes, and heavy
• All applicable safety protocols and PPE requirements must be followed at all times when working in or near fabrication and production areas.
• Monday through Friday schedule. We have a day shift and a night shift. Flexibility may be required to support
• This is an on-site position. Remote work is not applicable to the essential functions of this role.