Pipeline Lead Quality Inspector

About the Role

The Pipeline Lead Quality Inspector is responsible for leading and coordinating field quality activities throughout pipeline construction, ensuring work is performed in accordance with approved drawings, project specifications, applicable codes and standards, contractual requirements, and the project Quality Management System. This position serves as the primary field quality point of contact and provides technical oversight of inspectors assigned to pipeline construction activities. The Lead coordinates inspection coverage, monitors construction and inspection progress, maintains quality documentation, identifies and tracks deficiencies and repairs, and supports turnover and final project documentation.

Key Responsibilities

• Preconstruction and Project Setup: Review project specifications, IFC drawings, procedures, ITPs, client requirements, and applicable codes and standards to establish field compliance requirements; participate in kickoff and preconstruction meetings; confirm hold points, witness points, and client notification requirements; review welding procedures and PQRs; review NDE subcontractor procedures and certifications; confirm inspection staffing and coverage plan; establish and maintain the project Quality shared drive; verify calibration status of inspection equipment.
• Material Receipt, Handling, and Traceability: Perform or oversee receiving inspection of pipe, fittings, valves, flanges, and coated materials; verify pipe joint numbers, heat numbers, material grades, wall thicknesses, and other components against approved documentation; maintain material tracking from receipt through installation; monitor material storage and handling in the pipe yard and right‑of‑way; monitor stringing operations for correct material distribution.
• Pipe Bending: Inspect and document pipe bending operations, including bend location, orientation, degree, radius, dimensional requirements, ovality, wrinkles, buckling, coating condition, and traceability; perform or oversee welder verification and monitor rod and electrode control.
• Nondestructive Examination and Repairs: Coordinate and review NDE activities (RT, AUT, UT, MT, PT, etc.); review NDE reports for completeness, weld identification, acceptance criteria, disposition, and required signatures.
• Coating: Verify coating activities including surface preparation, profile, environmental conditions, temperature, dew point, application, thickness, cure, adhesion, holiday testing, repairs, field‑joint coating, and associated documentation.
• Trench, Lowering‑In, and Backfill: Monitor ditch preparation, trench depth, dewatering, and padding; verify final holiday inspection of coating prior to lowering‑in; monitor lowering‑in, pipe handling, coating protection, support conditions, and backfill; verify installation of warning tape, mesh, line markers, and other buried appurtenances.
• Crossings, Tie‑Ins, and Specialty Installations: Inspect tie‑ins, road crossings, bores, HDDs, foreign‑line crossings, casing installations, insulators, end seals, vents, and other specialty activities; coordinate inspection and NDE coverage for final tie‑in and closure welds.
• Cathodic Protection and Appurtenances: Verify installation of cathodic protection components, test stations, anodes, bonding, insulating components, and associated documentation when included in scope.
• Cleaning, Testing, and Commissioning Support: Review hydrostatic test plans and packages; verify cleaning, gauging, and caliper pig runs; verify test boundaries, instrumentation, calibration records, fill volumes, pressure requirements, stabilization periods, duration, temperature records, leak inspections, and final acceptance; verify dewatering, drying, and test water disposal.
• As‑Built Documentation, Restoration, and Turnover: Maintain as‑built information and redlines continuously; review redlines for changes; inspect and document right‑of‑way restoration and reclamation; support final reconciliation of weld maps, material records, NDE records, coating records, hydrostatic test packages, redlines, and as‑built documentation; assist with turnover packages and final quality records; ensure deficiencies, punch‑list items, NCRs, repairs, and outstanding documentation are closed prior to final turnover.
• Ongoing Throughout Construction: Lead and coordinate daily pipeline inspection and quality activities across multiple crews and work fronts; coordinate inspection coverage for welding, coating, lowering‑in, tie‑ins, testing, and other critical activities; perform daily review of inspection reports for accuracy and timeliness; maintain daily production and quality tracking (weld counts, NDE status, repairs, coating activities, testing, etc.).

Qualifications

• Preferred certifications and experience may include API 1169, AWS CWI, AMPP/NACE coating credentials, NDE certifications, OSHA training.
• Substantial hands‑on experience with pipeline construction and inspection activities, including welding, NDE, coating, material control, bending, pipeline installation, hydrostatic testing, and construction documentation.
• Previous experience serving as a Pipeline Lead Inspector, Chief Inspector, Quality Lead, or similar field leadership position.

Skills and Knowledge

• Ability to read and interpret construction drawings, alignment sheets, welding procedures, specifications, MTRs, NDE reports, hydrostatic test documentation, redlines, and applicable codes and standards.
• Strong organizational and leadership skills, with the ability to coordinate inspection coverage across multiple crews while maintaining accurate, timely, and traceable quality documentation.

Working Conditions

This position is field‑based and often works within remote project locations. Travel and/or living in temporary accommodation is required. The schedule typically involves a 6‑days‑on, 1‑day‑off rotation with 10‑hour shifts for the duration of the project.