Shop Inspector - Certified Welding Inspector

Kiwa PPI; Chanhassen (MN); On-site; USD 83,000 - 124,000; Part time

Job summary

Kiwa PPI is seeking an experienced Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) to lead on-site vendor surveillance and quality assurance for a major Water Treatment Package project in Chanhassen, MN. The contractor will verify welding, fabrication, and equipment assembly against engineering specs and quality plans.

The role requires 5+ years in QA/QC inspection within relevant sectors, strong communication skills, and the ability to work 2–3 days per week on a 6–12 month tempo, 1099 independent contractor

Qualifications

• Active Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) credential (AWS CWI or equivalent).
• Minimum 5 years of QA/QC inspection experience in industrial or midstream sectors.
• Experience inspecting water treatment equipment, structural welding, and piping systems.
• Strong written and verbal English communication; reporting proficiency.

Responsibilities

• Lead vendor surveillance and field QA/QC Activities for the Water Treatment Package.
• Witness, inspect, and verify welding, fabrication, and equipment assembly per specs and codes.
• Manage hold points per ITPs and document NCRs and surveillance findings.
• Maintain clear communications with client reps, vendors, and site teams.
• Adhere to HSSE guidelines and PPE standards on site.

Skills

CWI credential

QA/QC inspection

Welding inspection

Field surveillance

MS Office

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Job Summary

Kiwa PPI is seeking an experienced Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) to lead vendor surveillance and quality assurance activities for field operations in Chanhassen, MN, focusing specifically on a major Water Treatment Package project. In this role, you will represent Kiwa PPI on-site, verifying that all welding, fabrication, and equipment assembly activities for the Water Treatment Package strictly adhere to engineering specifications, quality control plans, and industry codes.

About The Role

Location: Chanhassen, MN. Position Type: Independent Contractor / Consultant (1099) – Adhoc. Sector: Midstream / Downstream – Field Operations. Assignment Schedule: Level 3 (2–3 days per week, 8–10 hours per day). Expected Duration: 6 months – 1 year.

• Vendor & Equipment Surveillance: Perform third-party quality surveillance and witness inspections on the Water Treatment Package, ensuring all components comply with project drawings and contract requirements.
• Welding Inspection & Verification: Witness, inspect, and verify structural and pressure boundary welding activities, procedure qualifications (WPS/PQR), and welder performance qualifications (WPQ).
• Witness & Hold Point Management: Identify, witness, and clear designated hold points per approved Inspection and Test Plans (ITPs).
• Quality & Compliance Documentation: Document inspection results, non-conformance reports (NCRs), and technical surveillance findings cleanly and concisely in regular field reports.
• Stakeholder Coordination: Maintain clear, professional communication with client representatives, project leads, vendor shop personnel, and site teams.
• HSSE Compliance: Adhere to and promote all applicable site Health, Safety, Security, and Environmental (HSSE) guidelines and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) standards.

Do you have what it takes?

Minimum Qualifications

• Certification: Active Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) credential (AWS CWI or equivalent).
• Welding Background: Must be a certified welder or possess documented evidence/history of past welder certification.
• Experience Level: Minimum of 5 years of experience in QA/QC inspection within industrial, oil & gas, midstream, or downstream sector operations.
• Technical Domain: Demonstrated experience inspecting water treatment equipment/packages, structural welding, and piping systems.
• Availability & Commitment: Ability to commit to the part-time field schedule (2–3 days/week, 8–10 hours/day) for a 6-to-12-month
• Communication & Technical Reporting: Strong written and verbal English communication skills, with functional proficiency in standard computer software for surveillance reporting.

What can you expect from us in return?

At Kiwa PPI, you’ll join a dynamic, growing organization that values collaboration, expertise, and flexibility. As an independent contractor, you’ll have the opportunity to work on meaningful projects across diverse clients, gain exposure to industry-leading practices, and engage with a supportive network of professionals. We provide clear communication, timely compensation, and a safe, compliant work environment, all while empowering you to manage your schedule and grow your skills in a fast-paced, innovative setting.