Lead Mechanical/Plumbing Inspector

MSR-FSR•El Paso, TX

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Mechanical & Plumbing Lead provides discipline leadership for mechanical and plumbing inspection, inspection readiness, code compliance verification, deficiency management, reinspection coordination, and field execution support. This position leads mechanical and plumbing inspectors and coordinates with project leadership, construction teams, quality personnel, engineers, contractors, owners, and authorities having jurisdiction as required. The Mechanical & Plumbing Lead is responsible for ensuring mechanical and plumbing work is reviewed and inspected against approved drawings, specifications, applicable codes, standards, permit conditions, manufacturer requirements, and project requirements. The role requires strong field leadership, mechanical and plumbing trade knowledge, documentation discipline, communication skills, and the ability to identify and escalate code, quality, safety, and schedule risks.

Requirements

Minimum 12 years of experience in mechanical construction, plumbing construction, mechanical/plumbing inspection, quality control, commissioning support, AHJ support, or mechanical/plumbing field leadership.
Strong working knowledge of applicable mechanical, plumbing, fuel gas, energy, and related building codes, including adopted local codes and inspection practices.
Ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings, plumbing drawings, piping plans, isometrics, riser diagrams, equipment schedules, details, specifications, submittals, RFIs, test packages, and installation requirements.
Ability to communicate technical issues clearly with contractors, inspectors, project leadership, engineers, owners, and jurisdictional representatives.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, inspection management systems, electronic reporting tools, digital drawings, and document control platforms.
High school diploma or GED required.
Completion of a recognized mechanical, plumbing, pipefitting, HVAC, or related trade apprenticeship program, trade school program, vocational program, or equivalent technical training required.
Active Texas plumbing license is required where the role includes plumbing inspection leadership or where required by the governing jurisdiction, client, or assignment. Acceptable licensing may include Texas Master Plumber License, Texas Plumbing Inspector License, or other Texas plumbing credential approved for the assigned scope.
Valid driver license required where travel or field mobility is part of the assignment.
Must be able to wear personal protective equipment, including protective eye wear, hard hat, lab coat, gloves, steel-toed shoes, hearing protection, and respirators.
Must be able to safely access and traverse indoor and outdoor obstacles for site inspections, including climbing ladders, walking on stairs, catwalks, and other types of uneven surfaces where activity inspections are needed.

Nice To Haves

Minimum 3 to 5 years of experience leading mechanical inspectors, plumbing inspectors, trade crews, quality teams, or discipline-specific field personnel preferred.
Experience with large commercial, industrial, mission-critical, advanced manufacturing, data center, semiconductor, healthcare, utility, or complex technical construction environments preferred.
Associate degree or bachelor degree in Mechanical Technology, Construction Management, Engineering Technology, Building Inspection Technology, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical discipline preferred.
Equivalent combinations of education, trade experience, inspection experience, leadership experience, and professional licensing may be considered, provided the candidate satisfies any required licensing or certification requirements for the assigned scope.
ICC Commercial Mechanical Inspector certification preferred and may be required based on assignment requirements.
ICC Commercial Plumbing Inspector certification preferred and may be required based on assignment requirements.
OSHA 30 preferred; OSHA 10 may be acceptable depending on assignment requirements.
Additional mechanical, plumbing, fuel gas, medical gas, process piping, commissioning, quality, safety, or jurisdiction-specific certifications may be required based on assignment scope.
ICC Commercial Mechanical Inspector.
ICC Commercial Plumbing Inspector.
ICC Mechanical Plans Examiner or Plumbing Plans Examiner.
Texas Master Plumber License or Texas Plumbing Inspector License.
Medical Gas Inspector certification where applicable.
HVAC, TAB, commissioning, quality, construction management, or safety credentials relevant to the assignment.

Responsibilities

Lead mechanical and plumbing inspection activities and provide technical direction to mechanical and plumbing inspectors assigned to the project or program.
Coordinate inspection priorities, active work fronts, hold points, readiness walks, reinspection needs, and discipline-specific field support.
Support the Program Manager, Project Manager, or Construction Manager with staffing needs, inspection forecasts, resource loading, and issue escalation.
Promote consistent inspection practices, technical judgment, documentation quality, and professional conduct across the mechanical and plumbing inspection team.
Interface with mechanical contractors, plumbing contractors, design representatives, owners, project stakeholders, and jurisdictional representatives as required.
Perform and oversee inspections for HVAC systems, ductwork, air distribution, mechanical equipment, exhaust systems, hydronic systems, piping, insulation, plumbing systems, sanitary waste and vent, domestic water, storm drainage, fuel gas, specialty piping, equipment connections, and related mechanical/plumbing systems as applicable.
Verify work is installed in accordance with approved drawings, specifications, applicable adopted codes, manufacturer requirements, listing requirements, permit conditions, and project standards.
Confirm inspection hold points, rough-in inspections, pressure or leak test witness points, above-ceiling inspections, close-in inspections, equipment setting verification, final inspections, and turnover-related inspections are properly coordinated and documented.
Identify incomplete, noncompliant, unsafe, inaccessible, or not-ready work and ensure proper documentation and follow-up.
Support deficiency tracking, correction verification, and reinspection closure.
Support constructability reviews, inspection-readiness reviews, and field-enforceability checks for mechanical and plumbing scope where requested.
Review approved drawings, specifications, schedules, details, equipment data, permit requirements, inspection matrices, and installation requirements to support field execution.
Identify potential conflicts, code concerns, missing details, coordination gaps, access issues, maintenance clearance concerns, or field execution risks and elevate them through the proper channels.
Coordinate with engineering, design, quality, commissioning, and construction stakeholders regarding technical questions, design clarifications, system interfaces, and field conditions.
Prepare, review, and maintain accurate mechanical and plumbing inspection reports, field notes, deficiency logs, reinspection records, photo documentation, punch lists, test records, and closeout records.
Ensure inspection documentation is complete, traceable, professional, and suitable for audit or turnover requirements.
Support weekly or periodic reporting of inspection activity, failed inspections, open deficiencies, reinspection volume, aging items, risk items, and staffing needs.
Maintain consistent use of approved forms, inspection systems, logs, dashboards, and document control processes.
Reinforce safe inspection practices, site safety requirements, access control, equipment safety, ladder and lift safety, confined space awareness, pressure testing precautions, and other project-specific safety expectations.
Identify and escalate unsafe conditions, pressure or stored-energy concerns, access limitations, incomplete work, or other conditions that may prevent safe inspection.
Support a proactive quality culture focused on early issue identification, clear communication, corrective action, and prevention of repeat deficiencies.
Participate in onboarding, safety training, quality meetings, inspection readiness meetings, and lessons-learned discussions as required.