Senior Metallurgist / Welding Inspector

micro1; Northern (KY); Remote; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

micro1 is seeking a Senior Metallurgist / Welding Inspector for a remote, US-based project in advanced manufacturing and materials engineering. You will apply your metallurgical and inspection expertise to support high-stakes accept/reject decisions and contribute to AI model training.

This contractor role requires extensive hands-on experience with LPBF, heat treatment, coatings, and a strong command of US and international standards.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of hands-on experience making accept/reject calls on micrographs, welds, coatings, or LPBF builds.
• Advanced knowledge of US and international standards (ASTM, AMS, AWS, NADCAP, NACE/AMPP, SSPC).
• Current or prior AWS CWI credentials or equivalent metallurgical certification.
• Experience in metallographic analysis, heat treatment evaluation, weld inspection, and coating assessment.
• Familiarity with LPBF processes and defect mechanisms.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication with attention to detail.
• Experience in remote or digital project collaboration with accountability for deliverables.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate metallographic microstructures to determine material acceptability and conformance.
• Analyze heat treatment processes per AMS 2750, ASTM E112.
• Assess weld quality using macro etch and CWI criteria.
• Perform coating inspections per NACE/AMPP and SSPC.
• Review LPBF defects based on build and cross-sectional data.
• Provide clear written/verbal feedback to support AI model training.
• Reference NADCAP, AWS, ASTM, AMS standards for metal samples, welds, coatings, and AM builds.

Skills

Metallographic analysis

Welding inspection

Coating assessment

LPBF additive manufacturing

Standards knowledge

Technical communication

Remote collaboration

Education

AWS CWI certification

Job description

Role Title: Senior Metallurgist / Welding Inspector

Role Type: Contractor

Location: Remote (US based preferred)

micro1 is engaging expert Senior Metallurgists and Welding Inspectors to participate in a high-impact project for a customer in advanced manufacturing and materials engineering. In this role, you\'ll apply your expertise to help train next-generation AI systems. Your work will shape how models learn, reason, and perform through high-quality, real-world input. No prior experience in AI is required — your domain knowledge is what matters.

Scope of Work

1. Evaluate and interpret metallographic microstructures to determine material acceptability and conformance to standards.
2. Conduct heat treatment process analysis and acceptance reviews in accordance with AMS 2750, ASTM E112, and related US specifications.
3. Assess weld quality through macro etch evaluation and apply CWI acceptance criteria to real-world case studies.
4. Perform coating inspection tasks aligned with NACE/AMPP and SSPC protocols, ensuring surface integrity and protection requirements are met.
5. Review and disposition additive manufacturing (LPBF) defects based on detailed build and cross-sectional data.
6. Provide clear, well-documented written and verbal feedback on accept/reject decisions, supporting data-driven insights for AI model training.
7. Reference and apply NADCAP, AWS, ASTM, and AMS standards to a variety of metal samples, weldments, coatings, and AM builds.

Preferred Qualifications

1. At least 8 years of hands-on experience making high-stakes accept/reject calls on micrographs, weld macros, fracture surfaces, coatings, or LPBF additive builds.
2. Advanced knowledge of US and international standards including ASTM, AMS, AWS, NADCAP, NACE/AMPP, and SSPC.
3. Current or prior AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) credentials, or equivalent metallurgical certification.
4. Proven experience in metallographic analysis, heat treatment evaluation, weld inspection, and industrial coating assessment.
5. Familiarity with additive manufacturing processes, especially laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) and associated defect mechanisms.
6. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with a keen eye for detail and the ability to explain technical reasoning clearly.
7. Experience in remote or digital project collaboration, with strong self-direction and accountability for deliverables.