Lead Certified Welding Inspector (CWI)

Hohl Industrial Services Inc • Town of Tonawanda, NY

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

Hohl Industrial Services, Inc. is seeking an experienced and highly skilled Lead Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) to lead the technical Quality Control function across our shop and field operations. This is a critical leadership position for an individual who takes pride in precision, technical excellence, and ensuring that every project meets the highest standards of quality, safety, and compliance. As our Lead CWI, you will serve as the Company's senior technical quality resource, providing direction to QC Inspectors and working closely with Operations, project teams, customers, and quality representatives. You will play a key role in overseeing welding, fabrication, inspection, testing, and code compliance across a variety of industrial projects. If you are a knowledgeable welding and quality professional who enjoys solving technical challenges, mentoring others, and making a direct impact on project success, we want to hear from you!

Requirements

• High School diploma or equivalent required; technical or engineering degree preferred.
• 5 or more years of progressively responsible experience in quality control, welding inspection, steel fabrication, or related industrial work.
• Demonstrated experience providing technical direction, leadership, or supervision to inspectors or other quality personnel.
• Significant welding and steel fabrication experience.
• Strong working knowledge of Quality Control systems applicable to structural steel, welding, fabrication, and code work.
• Experience reading layouts, prints, schematics, and engineering drawings.
• Current AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) certification required.
• Current or previous NDE Level II qualifications in applicable methods such as MT, PT, VT, and UT.
• Ability to read and interpret applicable codes, standards, and specifications, including ASME, AISC, and AWS.
• Strong communication, leadership, coaching, and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to make independent technical quality decisions within established authority.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and applicable quality, fabrication, and electronic reporting systems.

Nice To Haves

• Technical or engineering degree.
• Experience with boilers, pressure vessels, piping, or ASME-code fabrication and repair.
• Structural bolting inspection training or certification.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and oversight of quality activities throughout Hohl Industrial Services' shop and field operations.
• Lead and provide technical direction to QC Inspectors.
• Develop and implement inspection plans, inspection methods, hold points, and acceptance criteria for shop and field activities.
• Review inspection results, NDE reports, non-conformance documentation, work releases, and final release documentation for technical completeness and acceptability.
• Ensure inspection activities are performed by properly qualified personnel and maintain inspection independence.
• Serve as the primary technical Quality Control contact for customers, customer QA/QC representatives, certifying agencies, Authorized Inspectors, and third-party inspectors.
• Provide technical input for Project Specific Quality Plans and Inspection and Test Plans.
• Coordinate outside NDE and third-party inspection services.
• Lead technical investigations and disposition of non-conformances, including root-cause determinations and corrective actions.
• Identify recurring quality issues and trends and communicate findings to Operations and Senior Management.
• Participate in internal audits, management reviews, supplier evaluations, and customer quality investigations.
• Provide technical oversight of the Company's welding quality program.
• Review and maintain technical compliance of Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS), Procedure Qualification Records (PQR), and Welder Performance Qualifications (WPQ).
• Oversee or witness PQR testing and welder qualification testing as appropriate.
• Ensure welder qualification and continuity requirements are met.
• Oversee visual welding inspection and applicable NDE activities, including MT, PT, UT, and other methods.
• Ensure material identification, traceability, and Material Test Report (MTR) review requirements are satisfied.
• Oversee inspection activities involving dimensional verification, bolting, coatings, hydrostatic testing, heat forming, hardness testing, and other applicable fabrication processes.
• Serve in the technical Quality Control role designated by the Company's ASME Quality Control Manual.
• Administer the technical implementation of the ASME Quality Control system for applicable shop and field activities.
• Ensure compliance with applicable ASME Code, NBIC, jurisdictional, and Authorized Inspector requirements.
• Develop, review, and approve the technical content of the ASME Quality Control Manual and revisions.
• Review applicable code changes and determine required updates to Company procedures and inspection practices.
• Coordinate technical access, reviews, inspections, and audits with Authorized Inspectors.
• Review and approve applicable MTRs, receiving inspections, inspection travelers, hold points, examinations, and testing.
• Ensure WPS, PQR, and WPQ documentation complies with applicable ASME Section IX requirements.
• Oversee technical requirements associated with R-Stamp, U-Stamp, S-Stamp, and PP-Stamp activities, as applicable.
• Prepare, review, and/or certify Manufacturer's Data Reports when authorized and required.
• Ensure ASME job files and code-required documentation are complete and ready for final records retention.
• Partner with the Compliance & Quality Systems Administrator to ensure the technical requirements of the Company's Quality Management System are properly implemented and maintained.
• Ensure technical quality records are complete, accurate, legible, and traceable.
• Support document control and records control requirements within QA/QC processes.
• Establish technical calibration and measuring-equipment requirements.
• Review out-of-tolerance conditions that may affect product acceptance.
• Determine technical qualification and competency requirements for QC personnel.
• Provide, coordinate, or approve technical training for QC Inspectors and other personnel as appropriate.
• Ensure annual visual acuity testing is completed for applicable inspection personnel.
• Oversee the collection, technical review, and completion of Work Release documentation.

Benefits

• Your technical expertise will help ensure that our work meets customer expectations, applicable codes, and the high standards we strive for as a company.
• You'll work alongside experienced professionals in a hands-on environment where your knowledge, leadership, and commitment to quality will be valued.
• This is an opportunity to take ownership of technical quality, mentor inspection personnel, and contribute to continuous improvement across our operations.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: High school or GED