NQA1 Program Inspector

About the Role

The NQA-1 Quality Control Inspector performs inspection, documentation, and quality verification for complex steel fabrication under AISC, AWS, project-specific, and nuclear quality assurance requirements. This role supports fabrication, welding, dimensional inspection, material verification, nondestructive examination coordination, and quality documentation in a highly controlled environment.

Responsibilities

• Perform visual inspection of fabricated steel components, weldments, assemblies, fit-up, final welds, dimensional features, and completed work.
• Verify compliance with approved drawings, specifications, work instructions, inspection plans, welding requirements, and applicable codes.
• Inspect material identification, heat numbers, traceability markings, weld identification, and component markings for compliance.
• Review fabrication drawings, shop drawings, weld maps, procedures, inspection records, and project specifications for inspection requirements.
• Conduct in-process and final inspections at required hold points, witness points, and surveillance points.
• Identify and document nonconforming work, quality concerns, dimensional discrepancies, weld defects, and procedural deviations.
• Communicate inspection results to production, welding personnel, supervisors, quality management, and project management.
• Support correction, reinspection, and closeout of nonconforming conditions per company procedures.
• Perform weld inspection before, during, and after welding operations in accordance with AWS, project specifications, and approved procedures.
• Verify proper use of welding procedures, welder qualifications, filler metals, preheat requirements, and weld sequencing.
• Perform or support magnetic particle testing as qualified and authorized by company procedures.
• Coordinate with internal and third-party NDE personnel for required examinations (e.g., ultrasonic, radiographic, dye penetrant).
• Review NDE reports for completeness, accuracy, traceability, and acceptance criteria.
• Confirm weld repairs comply with approved procedures and are reinspected before acceptance.
• Support implementation of the company’s nuclear quality assurance program and NQA-1 requirements.
• Perform inspections in accordance with written procedures, checklists, approved drawings, and customer requirements.
• Maintain objective quality evidence through accurate, complete, and traceable inspection records.
• Verify quality records include required signatures, dates, revision references, and supporting documentation.
• Support material traceability, document control, calibration control, receiving inspection, and final quality package preparation.
• Assist with customer inspections, audits, surveillance activities, and quality reviews.
• Identify conditions adverse to quality and report them per company procedures.
• Support corrective action, root cause investigation, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Read and interpret structural steel fabrication drawings, weld symbols, bills of material, and specifications.
• Verify fabricated components against drawing dimensions, tolerances, connection details, and weld requirements.
• Confirm inspections align with correct drawing and specification revisions.
• Review material test reports, certificates of conformance, welding records, NDE reports, and inspection forms for accuracy.
• Maintain organized inspection files and project documentation for auditability and turnover.
• Work closely with quality management, production supervision, welding personnel, project management, and engineering.
• Provide timely inspection feedback to minimize rework and maintain compliance.
• Participate in quality meetings, production meetings, and project coordination discussions.
• Communicate quality expectations professionally in a shop fabrication environment.
• Support a culture of safety, quality, accountability, and procedural compliance.

Requirements

• Current AWS Certified Welding Inspector certification.
• Minimum experience with magnetic particle testing, including MT methods, acceptance criteria, and documentation.
• Ability to read and interpret fabrication drawings, weld symbols, shop drawings, bills of material, and specifications.
• Experience inspecting structural steel, complex weldments, bridge components, industrial steel, or nuclear-related fabrication.
• Working knowledge of AWS D1.1, AWS D1.5, AWS D1.6, or other applicable welding codes.
• Understanding of material traceability, weld traceability, quality records, inspection hold points, and corrective action processes.
• Proficiency with inspection tools (tape measures, levels, weld gauges, calipers, micrometers, etc.).
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• High attention to detail and ability to produce accurate, legible inspection documentation.
• Ability to work independently while following written procedures and management direction.
• Commitment to company safety, quality, and compliance standards.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience under ASME NQA-1, nuclear, DOE, or other highly controlled quality assurance programs.
• Experience with AISC Certified Fabricator requirements, particularly in complex bridge, hydraulic, or nuclear fabrication.
• ASNT SNT-TC-1A or CP-189 Level II certification or documented qualification in magnetic particle testing.
• Additional NDE qualifications in ultrasonic testing, dye penetrant testing, radiographic film interpretation, or visual testing.
• Experience with nuclear safety-related work, commercial nuclear fabrication, or NQA-1 procurement.
• Familiarity with ASME Section III, ASME Section IX, ASME B31.1, ASME B31.3, AWS D1.1, AWS D1.5, AWS D1.6, AISC, or RCSC.
• Experience reviewing MTRs, certificates of conformance, welding procedure specifications, and NDE reports.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, Excel, Word, Bluebeam, and electronic document management systems.
• Experience supporting customer audits, supplier audits, internal audits, and third-party inspections.

Skills

• Welding inspection knowledge and practical shop-floor judgment.
• Strong understanding of drawing interpretation and fabrication requirements.
• NQA-1 quality mindset with emphasis on procedure compliance and objective evidence.
• Accuracy in documentation, inspection records, traceability, and quality package preparation.
• Ability to identify weld defects, dimensional issues, documentation gaps, and nonconforming conditions.
• Professional communication with production, quality, project management, and customer representatives.
• Strong follow-up, organization, and time management.
• Ability to work effectively in a high-volume, schedule-sensitive fabrication environment.
• Sound judgment balancing production needs with quality compliance.
• Commitment to safety, quality, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Work Conditions

• Shop-based inspection role within a complex steel fabrication environment.
• Regular exposure to fabrication activities, welding operations, grinding, material handling, overhead cranes, forklifts, and coatings preparation areas.
• Periodic office work for documentation review, inspection reports, and project closeout files.
• Must be able to walk, stand, bend, climb, access fabricated assemblies, and perform inspections in a shop environment.
• Must use inspection tools, read drawings, and complete documentation accurately.
• May require overtime, schedule flexibility, and occasional travel for supplier or customer inspections.
• Must follow all company safety procedures and PPE requirements.

Reporting Structure

This position reports to Quality Management and collaborates with production supervision, project management, welding personnel, engineering, document control, and customer or third-party inspection representatives. The role requires supporting cross-functional coordination while maintaining inspection independence and procedural compliance.

Performance Expectations

• Accuracy and completeness of inspection records.
• Timely completion of required inspections, hold points, witness points, and quality documentation.
• Effective identification and communication of nonconforming conditions.
• Compliance with NQA-1, AISC, AWS, project-specific, and company quality requirements.
• Quality and traceability of inspection documentation and final turnover records.
• Responsiveness to production, quality management, project management, and customer needs.
• Reduction of rework through effective in-process inspection and early issue identification.
• Professional conduct during customer inspections, audits, and third-party reviews.
• Consistent adherence to safety, quality, and procedural requirements.