Senior Metallurgist / Welding Inspector

Parailabs; Northern (KY); Remote; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Parailabs seeks a Senior Metallurgist / Welding Inspector for a remote contractor role based in the US. You will apply metallurgical expertise to evaluate microstructures, heat treatments, welds, and coatings, supporting AI model training with precise, documented findings.

Responsibilities include interpretation of standards, LPBF defect review, and clear communication of accept/reject decisions, working independently in a distributed team environment.

Qualifications

• At least 8 years of hands-on experience making high-stakes accept/reject calls on micrographs, weld macros, fracture surfaces, coatings, or LPBF builds.
• Advanced knowledge of US and international standards including ASTM, AMS, AWS, NADCAP, NACE/AMPP, and SSPC.
• Current or prior AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) credentials, or equivalent metallurgical certification.
• Proven experience in metallographic analysis, heat treatment evaluation, weld inspection, and industrial coating assessment.
• Familiarity with additive manufacturing processes, especially LPBF and related defect mechanisms.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with clear technical reasoning.
• Experience in remote or digital project collaboration with strong self-direction.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate and interpret metallographic microstructures to determine material acceptability and conformance to standards.
• Conduct heat treatment process analysis and acceptance reviews per AMS 2750, ASTM E112, and related US specs.
• Assess weld quality through macro etch evaluation and apply CWI criteria to case studies.
• Perform coating inspection tasks aligned with NACE/AMPP and SSPC protocols.
• Review and disposition LPBF defects based on build and cross-sectional data.
• Provide clear written and verbal feedback on accept/reject decisions for AI model training.
• Reference and apply NADCAP, AWS, ASTM, and AMS standards to metal samples, weldments, coatings, and AM builds.

Skills

Metallurgical analysis

Weld inspection

LPBF additive manufacturing

Heat treatment evaluation

Standards knowledge

Written and verbal communication

Remote collaboration

Quality decision making

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

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

Preferred Qualifications

• 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.
• Advanced knowledge of US and international standards including ASTM, AMS, AWS, NADCAP, NACE/AMPP, and SSPC.
• Current or prior AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) credentials, or equivalent metallurgical certification.
• Proven experience in metallographic analysis, heat treatment evaluation, weld inspection, and industrial coating assessment.
• Familiarity with additive manufacturing processes, especially laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) and associated defect mechanisms.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with a keen eye for detail and the ability to explain technical reasoning clearly.
• Experience in remote or digital project collaboration, with strong self-direction and accountability for deliverables.