Welding Inspector / QA Technician II

Thompson Pipe Group; South Beloit (IL); On-site; USD 52,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Thompson Pipe Group in Illinois is seeking a QA Technician II to serve as a hands-on Welding Inspector within a heavy manufacturing setting. You will inspect welds and fabricated components, verify alignment, and ensure conformance to WPS and drawings, while supporting fabrication operations.

The role requires experience in welding/fabrication environments, ability to read weld symbols, familiarity with AWS/ASME codes, and proficiency in Excel.

Qualifications

• Experience inspecting welds or manufactured components.
• Ability to read drawings and understand weld symbols.
• Familiarity with WPS, inspection processes, or shop QA.
• Experience working in production environments.
• Exposure to AWS, ASME, AWWA, or similar codes is a plus.
• AWS CWI/CAWI or equivalent certification preferred.
• 2+ years in QA, QC, or production in pipe/manufacturing or related industry.
• Hands-on experience in at least one discipline: concrete/civil, coatings, welding, or NDE/NDT.
• Level I or equivalent certification; Level II or equivalent strongly preferred — various NDT/NDE certifications; coating inspector; API 510/570/577 helpful.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel.
• Bilingual English/Spanish a plus.

Responsibilities

• Perform visual inspection of welds and fabricated components.
• Inspect fit-up, alignment, and production work prior to welding.
• Verify work is performed in accordance with WPS and drawings.
• Conduct in-process and final inspections.
• Use inspection tools such as gauges, calipers, and micrometers.
• Identify and document weld defects and quality issues.
• Support or perform NDT activities (MT, PT, UT).
• Work with production teams to resolve quality issues.
• Complete inspection and quality documentation.
• Support continuous improvement and shop quality initiatives.

Skills

Quality inspection experience

Welding set ups for production

Blueprint reading

Education

AWS CWI/CAWI or equivalent experience

Tools

MIG Welder

TIG Welder

Stick Welder

Flux-Cored Arc Welder

Job description

Position Summary

The QA Technician II serves as a hands-on Welding Inspector supporting production in a heavy manufacturing environment. This roleis responsible forinspecting welds, ensuring product quality, and supporting fabrication operations. Ideal for candidates with experience in welding, fabrication, machining, or industrial manufacturing looking to grow into pressure pipe applications.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform visual inspection of welds and fabricated components
• Inspect fit-up, alignment, and production work prior to welding
• Verify work is performedin accordance withWPS and drawings
• Conduct in-process and final inspections
• Use inspection tools such as gauges, calipers, and micrometers
• Identifyand document weld defects and quality issues
• Support or perform NDT activities (MT, PT, UT)
• Work with production teams to resolve quality issues
• Complete inspection and quality documentation
• Support continuous improvement and shop quality initiatives

Requirements

• Experience in welding, fabrication, machining, or heavy manufacturing
• Experience inspecting welds or manufactured components
• Ability to read drawings and understand weld symbols
• Familiarity with WPS, inspection processes, or shop QA
• Experience working in production environments
• Exposure to AWS, ASME, AWWA, or similar codes is a plus
• AWS CWI/CAWI or equivalent experience preferred
• PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
• 2+ years of experience in a QA, QC, or production role in pipe manufacturing, precast concrete, or a related industry.
• Hands-on experience in at least one discipline: concrete/civil, coatings, welding, or NDE/NDT.
• Level I or equivalent certification in at least one area; Level II or equivalent strongly preferred — ACI Field Test Technician; AWS CWI or CAWI; NDE/NDT MT, PT, RT, UT, or VT (ASNT SNT-TC-1A or NAS 410); NACE/AMPP Coating Inspector; or API 510, 570, or 577.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
• Bilingual English/Spanish a plus.

You Should Be Proficient In

• Quality Inspection Experience
• Welding Setups for Production
• Blueprint Reading

Machines & Technologies You'll Use

• MIG Welder
• TIG Welder
• Stick Welder
• Flux-Cored Arc Welder