Quality Weld Inspector

gwelec; Bolingbrook (IL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

gwelec seeks an enthusiastic Quality Weld Inspector to ensure welded and fabricated parts meet engineering drawings, welding requirements, customer specifications, and quality standards on the manufacturing floor in Bolingbrook, IL.

The role focuses on in-process and final inspections, proper use of gauges, and adherence to Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS). Collaboration with Welders, Supervisors, and Quality teams is essential to prevent defects and drive continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED; technical education preferred.
• Experience reading engineering drawings and welding symbols.
• Knowledge of welding materials, processes, and quality control.

Responsibilities

• Perform pre-weld, in-process, and final inspections per drawings, specifications, inspection plans, and procedures.
• Verify products meet requirements before they move to the next operation.
• Identify quality issues and deviations early to reduce rework and delays.
• Provide immediate feedback to welders and supervisors when problems are found.
• Verify all inspections and checkpoints are completed.

Skills

Reading drawings

Attention to detail

Communication

Quality awareness

Education

High school diploma or GED

Technical or manufacturing education preferred

AWS CWI certification preferred

Tools

Calipers

Micrometers

Weld gauges

Measurement equipment

Job description

We are looking to hire an enthusiastic and hardworking quality weld inspector with a good eye for detail and knowledge of weld materials, processes, technique, and overall weld integrity and quality.

The Quality Inspector - Weld & Fabrication ensures welded and fabricated products meet engineering drawings, welding requirements, customer specifications, and quality standards. This role works primarily on the manufacturing floor, inspecting parts at key stages of production to identify and contain quality issues early. The inspector works closely with Welders, Team Leaders, Supervisors, Welding Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, and Quality Engineering to build quality into the process and prevent defects from moving downstream.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

In-Process and Floor Inspection

• Perform pre-weld, in-process, and final inspections according to drawings, specifications, inspection plans, and procedures.
• Verify products meet requirements before they move to the next operation.
• Identify quality issues and process deviations early to reduce rework, scrap, and production delays.
• Provide immediate feedback to Welders, Team Leaders, and Supervisors when problems are found.
• Verify all required inspections and quality checkpoints are completed.

Pre-Weld and Fit-Up Inspection

• Verify materials, components, and configurations against drawings, BOMs, and specifications.
• Inspect joint prep, fit-up, alignment, gaps, dimensions, cleanliness, and overall readiness for welding.
• Verify weld locations, weld sizes, and welding symbols against engineering drawings.
• Confirm the correct Welding Procedure Specification (WPS) is available and being followed.
• Identify and contain nonconforming conditions before welding begins whenever possible.

Weld Inspection

• Perform visual inspections of welded assemblies for compliance with drawings, WPS requirements, workmanship standards, and applicable welding codes.
• Inspect weld size, length, location, profile, continuity, and overall workmanship.
• Identify weld defects such as cracks, porosity, undercut, overlap, incomplete welds, arc strikes, excessive reinforcement, and other unacceptable conditions.
• Inspect repaired or reworked welds before product release using appropriate weld gauges and measurement equipment.
• Support additional NDT activities when required and properly qualified.

Dimensional Inspection

• Inspect fabricated parts and welded assemblies against engineering drawings and specifications.
• Verify critical dimensions, tolerances, alignment, squareness, flatness, hole locations, and other required characteristics.
• Use calibrated inspection equipment such as calipers, micrometers, weld gauges, squares, tape measures, fixtures, and other measuring devices.
• Perform dimensional inspections throughout the manufacturing process to identify problems before fabrication is complete.

Final Inspection and Product Release

• Perform final visual and dimensional inspections of completed products.
• Verify all required manufacturing and inspection steps have been completed.
• Confirm all nonconformances and rework have been properly addressed.
• Complete inspection records and quality documentation accurately and on time.

Nonconformance and Containment

• Identify, document, tag, and segregate nonconforming material and products according to company procedures.
• Initiate or support NCR/NCMR documentation as required.
• Prevent nonconforming products from moving to the next operation without review and disposition.
• Verify rework and repairs are completed correctly.
• Support immediate containment when quality issues are identified.

Problem Solving and Continuous Improvement

• Support root-cause investigations and corrective actions related to welding and fabrication defects.
• Identify recurring quality problems and communicate trends to Production and Quality leadership.
• Work with Production, Welding Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, and Quality Engineering to eliminate recurring defects.
• Participate in improvement efforts to reduce defects, rework, scrap, and downstream quality escapes.
• Help verify corrective actions and process improvements on the manufacturing floor.

Quality System and Documentation

• Maintain accurate inspection records and product traceability.
• Follow Quality Plans, Control Plans, inspection procedures, work instructions, and mfg. standards.
• Verify inspection equipment is calibrated and within its calibration period before use.
• Report damaged, inaccurate, or out-of-calibration equipment.
• Support internal and external quality audits as needed.
• Keep quality records organized and accurate.

Education and Experience: Minimum

• High school diploma or GED required; technical or manufacturing education preferred.
• Previous quality inspection experience in welding, metal fabrication, machining, or manufacturing.
• Ability to read and understand engineering drawings, tolerances, and welding symbols.
• Working knowledge of welding and fabrication processes.
• Ability to understand and follow Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS).
• Experience using dimensional and weld inspection equipment.
• Ability to accurately document inspection results and nonconformances.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to identify quality and workmanship issues.
• Strong communication skills with production employees, Team Leads, Supervisors, Engineers, & Quality.

Education and Experience: Preferred

• Experience inspecting MIG, TIG and other welding processes.
• Knowledge of applicable AWS and/or ASME welding requirements.
• AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) certification or equivalent welding inspection training.
• Experience with Visual Testing (VT) and other NDT methods such as Penetrant Testing (PT), Magnetic Particle Testing (MT), or Ultrasonic Testing (UT).
• Experience with NCR/NCMR systems, root-cause analysis, corrective actions, and continuous improvement.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing or World-Class Manufacturing practices.

Knowledge, Skills, Competencies

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Analytical abilities with good attention to detail
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel