Quality Inspector - Mechanical - Welding - GO

Medium; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 48,216 - 55,104; Full time

Job summary

SQA Services seeks a detail-oriented Welding Inspector to ensure weld quality and compliance. The role is on-site five days a week for a 3-6 month contract, evaluating weld workmanship, reviewing documentation, and coordinating with NDE as needed.

Responsibilities include visual inspections per AWS D1.1, identifying discontinuities, and generating reports with corrective action recommendations. ITAR controls apply; U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status is required.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Technical training in welding inspection preferred
• Minimum 3-5 years of structural welding inspection experience preferred
• Experience inspecting structural steel fabrication and welded assemblies

Responsibilities

• Perform visual inspection (VT) of structural welds in accordance with AWS D1.1 acceptance criteria
• Evaluate weld workmanship and surface condition
• Identify weld discontinuities including cracks, undercut, porosity, overlap, incomplete fusion indications, arc strikes, excessive reinforcement, crater defects
• Verify weld profiles, weld size, and contour requirements
• Inspect fillet welds, groove welds, CJP and PJP welds
• Review and verify approved WPS documentation; confirm welder qualifications and continuity records
• Verify welding processes and consumables comply with approved procedures
• Review fabrication drawings and weld symbols; ensure inspection requirements are properly flowed down
• Perform pre-weld, in-process, and final inspections; verify fit-up, joint preparation, alignment, and cleanliness
• Monitor workmanship during fabrication activities; verify repairs and rework activities meet acceptance criteria
• Coordinate with NDE personnel when required
• Generate inspection reports and nonconformance documentation; document weld findings accurately
• Provide objective disposition recommendations; support corrective action and root cause investigations
• Maintain inspection records and traceability documentation
• Perform source inspections at supplier facilities when required; support supplier quality evaluations and audits
• Communicate technical concerns professionally with suppliers and customers
• Assist in process improvement and workmanship standardization activities

Skills

Attention to detail

Documentation and reporting

Quality compliance

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Technical training in welding inspection

Minimum 3-5 years of structural welding inspection experience

Experience inspecting structural steel fabrication and welded assemblies

Tools

AWS D1.1 compliance

Welding processes FCAW, GMAW, SMAW, GTAW

Job description

For almost 30 years, SQA Services has been a premier leader in the provision of managed supplier quality services for audits, assessments, remote surveillance assessments, corrective actions, remediation, inspections, and engineering to manufacturers within all industries. We deliver services by deploying associates who are located throughout the United States and in 90+ countries around the world to your supplier sites. Our associates are expert quality assurance professionals with broad experience and local knowledge who can represent our clients on-demand and on-site faster than our competitors.

We are seeking a detail-oriented Welding Inspector to ensure the quality, compliance, and integrity of welded components and assemblies. This role is responsible for performing inspections, verifying documentation, and ensuring all materials and workmanship meet applicable standards, drawings, and specifications. This position with be on site 5 days a week, for 4 (7am-12pm) hours a day. This is a 3-6 month contract.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform visual inspection (VT) of structural welds in accordance with AWS D1.1 acceptance criteria
• Evaluate weld workmanship and surface condition
• Identify weld discontinuities including:
  • Cracks
  • Undercut
  • Porosity
  • Overlap
  • Incomplete fusion indications
  • Arc strikes
  • Excessive reinforcement
  • Crater defects
• Verify weld profiles, weld size, and contour requirements
• Inspect fillet welds, groove welds, CJP and PJP welds
• Welding Documentation Review
  • Review and verify approved WPS documentation
  • Confirm welder qualifications and continuity records
  • Verify welding processes and consumables comply with approved procedures
  • Review fabrication drawings and weld symbols
  • Ensure inspection requirements are properly flowed down
• In-Process and Final Inspection
  • Perform pre-weld, in-process, and final inspections
  • Verify fit-up, joint preparation, alignment, and cleanliness
  • Monitor workmanship during fabrication activities
  • Verify repairs and rework activities meet acceptance criteria
  • Coordinate with NDE personnel when required
• Reporting and Documentation
  • Generate inspection reports and nonconformance documentation
  • Document weld findings accurately and clearly
  • Provide objective disposition recommendations
  • Support corrective action and root cause investigations
  • Maintain inspection records and traceability documentation
• Supplier / Source Inspection Support
  • Perform source inspections at supplier facilities when required
  • Support supplier quality evaluations and audits
  • Communicate technical concerns professionally with suppliers and customers
  • Assist in process improvement and workmanship standardization activities

Required Qualifications

• Education / Experience
  • High school diploma or equivalent required
  • Technical training in welding inspection preferred
  • Minimum 3-5 years of structural welding inspection experience preferred
  • Experience inspecting structural steel fabrication and welded assemblies
• Technical Knowledge Strong working knowledge of:
  • AWS D1.1 requirements
  • AWS B1.11 visual inspection practices
  • Weld symbols and fabrication drawings
  • Welding processes:
    • FCAW
    • GMAW
    • SMAW
    • GTAW (preferred)
  • Structural steel fabrication practices
  • Weld gauges and inspection tools
  • Weld discontinuities and workmanship evaluation

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Welding Inspector (CWI)
• VT Level II certification
• NDE certifications (MT/PT preferred)
• OSHA safety training
• Structural steel fabrication experience

$35 - $40 an hour

Note: This position requires access to ITAR-controlled technical data and/or defense articles. As such, the candidate must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder) to comply with the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Applicants who do not meet these criteria will not be considered for this role.

SQA Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment is based on merit and qualifications, and is not influenced by race, color, religion, gender, national origin, veteran status, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, or any other legally protected status.

#ZR