CERTIFIED WELDING INSPECTOR JOB DESCRIPTION

A weld that passes visual inspection but fails under pressure tells the story of what happens without this role. Certified Welding Inspectors in industrial manufacturing hold the authority to accept or reject work against AWS D1.1 and ASME Section IX, two of the most consequential compliance frameworks in fabricated metal production. No other inspection role owns the full chain from witnessing welder qualification tests to signing off on radiographic film review. The stakes are measurable: a single non-conforming weld on a PED-rated assembly can halt production and trigger third-party audit.

As the Certified Welding Inspector, you verify that every weldment produced in a fabrication environment meets applicable code, customer specification, and quality assurance requirements before it moves downstream. You operate within the quality department, coordinating with engineering, NDE personnel, third-party inspectors, and production supervisors to maintain welder qualification records and resolve compliance issues at the source.

Career Impact: Holding an active AWS CWI credential in a manufacturing environment establishes you as the authority on weld compliance decisions that engineering and production teams cannot override without your sign-off.

Business Impact: The inspection records, PQRs, and NDE reports you maintain are the legal documentation that allows fabricated assemblies to ship to customers under ASME and PED requirements.

Growth Opportunity: Experience spanning visual inspection, destructive testing, and radiographic film review positions a CWI for advancement into senior quality engineering or NDE Level II certification paths.

• Verify weldments against customer specifications, ASME codes, and applicable welding procedure specifications to confirm code compliance before release.
• Witness welder qualification testing and document all essential variables to produce complete Welder Qualification Records and PQRs.
• Perform visual and non-destructive inspection on fabricated assemblies, including radiographic film review, for PED and third-party inspection orders.
• Maintain the Welders Continuity Log to ensure all active welders hold current, valid qualifications at all times.
• Review and interpret NDE reports from contracted technicians, flagging discrepancies against customer specifications before third-party coordination.
• Develop and document weld repair procedures, calibration schedules, and corrective actions in response to identified non-conformances.
• Coordinate receiving inspection for incoming materials and verify PED manufacturer certificates are valid at time of manufacture.
• Train welders and quality personnel on WPS requirements, inspection criteria, and acceptable repair techniques.

• High School Diploma, Associate degree, or Bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
• 3 or more years of welding inspection experience in a metal fabrication or industrial manufacturing setting, with demonstrated code compliance responsibility.
• Current AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) certification per AWS QC1, maintained as a condition of employment.
• Working knowledge of ASME Codes including Section II, Section V, Section IX, and B31.3, and AWS D1.1 Structural Welding Code.
• Ability to read and interpret fabrication drawings, weld maps, and work orders to direct inspection activities.
• Demonstrated competence in visual inspection methods and destructive testing evaluation for weld acceptance and rejection decisions.
• Strong mathematical aptitude, including the ability to calculate dimensions and apply measurement tolerances in all standard units.

• AWS Certified Associate Welding Inspector (CAWI) credential or active progress toward a higher AWS certification level.
• ASNT Level I certification in one or more NDE methods including radiographic testing, ultrasonic thickness, magnetic particle, or liquid penetrant testing.
• Experience with robotic welding processes and the ability to evaluate weld output against automated process parameters.
• Familiarity with Pressure Equipment Directive (PED) documentation requirements and experience managing third-party inspection coordination.

• Welder qualification currency rate, measuring the percentage of active welders with valid, up-to-date records at any point in time.
• NDE report review cycle time, tracking days between receipt of contractor reports and inspector sign-off.
• Non-conformance report (NCR) closure rate, reflecting how consistently identified weld defects are resolved and documented.
• First-pass inspection acceptance rate, indicating the proportion of weldments that meet specification without requiring rework.
• PQR and WPS documentation accuracy, measured by the rate of customer or third-party rejection of submitted procedure packages.
• Typical tools: Weld inspection gauges (commonly bridge cam gauges and fillet weld gauges); NDE review equipment (commonly radiographic film viewers and MT yoke units).

• Base Salary Range: $65,000 to $90,000 per year depending on experience and certification level.
• Bonus: annual performance bonus of 5% to 10% of base salary, tied to quality metrics.
• Equity: not typical for this role and industry.
• Health Benefits: medical, dental, and vision coverage standard for US manufacturing employers.
• PTO: 10 to 15 days annually plus standard US federal holidays.
• Common Perks: Certification renewal reimbursement, PPE provided, occasional travel allowance for site inspection assignments.

Figures are estimates based on general US market benchmarks and may be outdated. Adjust based on location, company size, and seniority level.

Background checks, including employment history and reference verification, are a standard condition of employment for all positions in this field. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, and local law. Reasonable accommodations are available to individuals with disabilities throughout the hiring process upon request. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.

The Certified Welding Inspector owns compliance verification and quality assurance operations, reviewing customer-provided welding specifications and coordinating third-party inspections across fabrication orders. Working alongside engineering, NDE personnel, and suppliers, the inspector delivers measurable improvements in weld quality, operational efficiency, and customer relations outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Verify and validate specifications to certified level.
• Resolve technical and logistics problems with little guidance.
• Develop and implement measures to improve operations and customer relations.
• Drive efficiency and quality improvements and cost initiatives.
• Review customer-provided welding specifications to ensure compliance with company weld procedures.
• Coordinate with third parties in development of new or modified weld procedures and welder qualifications.
• Witness welding during Welder Performance Testing and verify NDE on welded coupons if required.
• Maintain Welders Continuity Log to ensure all welders are current in their qualifications.
• Perform visual inspection on all fabricated welds and material for PED, Code, and Third Party inspection orders.
• Review Radiographic film and all NDE reports for compliance prior to coordinating third party inspection.
• Manage and coordinate receiving inspection and maintain supplier relationships.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field, or AS degree, or High School Diploma with equivalent years of experience.
• Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) with knowledge of ASME Codes including Section II-A, II-B, II-C, Section V, Section IX, and B31.3.
• 5 to 9 years of welding experience depending on level of education.
• Thorough knowledge of complex quality assurance operations and a variety of equipment and processes.
• Skilled at reading blueprints and recognizing a wide variety of welding processes and techniques.
• Excellent math skills, particularly in algebra.
• Ability to independently resolve complex problems, communicate effectively, and influence decisions.
• Foresight to anticipate problems and recognize opportunities for improving quality assurance operations.

Embedded within the weld department, the Certified Welding Inspector performs internal and external weld inspections and administers certification testing to ensure all weldments meet applicable code, standard, and specification requirements. Working closely with management, customers, and supplier CWI resources, the inspector advances welding technology adoption and drives continuous improvement across training, calibration, and repair procedures.

Core Functions

• Perform internal and external inspections to determine if a weldment meets specifications and criteria of a specific code, standard, or document.
• Administer welding certification tests and develop Welder Qualification Record (WQR), Procedure Qualification Record (PQR), and Welding Procedure Specification (WPS).
• Research and work with management to implement new welding technologies and recommend new equipment and processes.
• Lead or participate in all weld-related process developments.
• Define and provide training to welders, quality, and engineering around various aspects of the welding process.
• Complete visual inspection and destructive testing of welds and acceptance procedures.
• Document, train, and implement acceptable repair procedures.
• Define equipment calibration schedule and ensure completion in compliance with the determined schedule.
• Interpret, train, and follow regulations, procedures, codes, and industry standards.
• Identify deficits within the weld department and recommend training to management.
• Provide technical support and work directly with customer and supplier CWI resources.

Qualifications and Experience

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Current AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) certification, maintained throughout employment.
• 1 to 3 years of related experience in a metal fabrication setting.
• Robotic welding experience preferred.
• Ability to read and interpret prints and work orders.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Able to present and communicate to employees across all levels of the organization.

Reporting to quality assurance leadership, the Certified Welding Inspector at Frazier Industrial Company performs daily floor inspections and documents all manufacturing processes across a full racking systems production environment. Partnering with production teams and third-party inspectors, the inspector ensures welder qualifications, WPS compliance, and equipment readiness are maintained to support uninterrupted manufacturing output.

Primary Duties

• Perform daily floor inspections and documentation of all manufacturing processes including cutting, punching, shearing, stamping, notching, welding, and paint.
• Conduct visual weld inspections, general overview of part fit-up, and review of WPS and PQR compliance.
• Perform welder certification testing per AWS D1.1 Structural Welding Code requirements including minor destructive testing.
• Write Welder Qualification Records, PQRs, and WPS documents.
• Maintain daily inspection records and monitor welder qualification records.
• Maintain company control processes, procedures, specifications, and Quality Assurance Manual.
• Read and interpret fabrication drawings.
• Perform daily verification of welding equipment and documentation.
• Travel occasionally by car or plane in adherence with company travel requirements.

Skills and Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• AWS CWI or CAWI Welding Inspector certification.
• 5 years of welding experience.
• Knowledge of AWS D1.1 Structural Welding Code.
• Knowledge of inspection tools and inspection equipment.
• Proficiency in MS Office tools.
• Organization skills, self-driven, and motivated with clean driving record.
• Willingness to travel as needed.

Sitting at the intersection of non-destructive testing and military fabrication standards, the Certified Welding Inspector monitors all welder and fitter work to ensure conformance with AWS codes and MIL-STDs across in-process and final inspections. Operating across quality control, training, and reporting functions, the inspector maintains DoD-compliant documentation and drives corrective action on NCR items to preserve production integrity.

Duties

• Monitor and inspect all work performed by welders and fitters.
• Perform non-destructive (MT) testing, visual inspections, and required tests on welded pieces.
• Implement and improve quality control operating procedures and WPS.
• Conduct welder training and welder certification testing.
• Record and maintain welder certification testing documentation.
• Participate in routine dimensional and visual inspections.
• Inspect, test, or measure materials, products, installations, or work for conformance to specifications.
• Prepare comprehensive inspection reports and monitor NCR items and corrective works.

Technical Qualifications

• High School Diploma.
• AWS AQC7 certification and CWI certification per AWS QC1 or equivalent CWB Level II, III, or approved program.
• DoD Secret clearance required.
• 10 years of welding experience.
• Proficiency in Flux-Core Arc Welding (FCAW) and Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) processes.
• Familiarity with engineering drawings.
• Fluency in English with strong written and oral communication skills.

A key member of the field inspection team, the Certified Welding Inspector performs non-destructive examinations at client facilities under the direction of a Project Manager, Team Leader, or Level II Technician. Collaborating across client and internal NDE teams, the inspector supports accurate documentation, professional client interfacing, and ongoing awareness of emerging NDE and Rope Access technologies.

Functions

• Perform various non-destructive examinations at various client facilities under the direction of a Project Manager, Team Leader, or Level II Technician.
• Assist in preparing NDE reports and document data in a clear and timely manner.
• Assist and learn technical matters involving company NDE procedures and techniques.
• Provide a professional appearance when interfacing with clients and coworkers.
• Stay abreast of new developments in NDE and Rope Access technologies applicable to the business.

Experience and Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Current CWI certification and ASNT Level I certification in RT, UT-Thickness, MT, and, or PT.
• TWIC card preferred.
• Ability to set up and calibrate equipment and interpret and evaluate results to applicable codes, standards, and specifications.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to organize and report test results and send information to the office for data processing.
• Valid driver's license and reliable driving record required.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, well organized, and able to solve technical issues in the field.