Remote | Senior Metallurgist / Welding Inspector — $80–$130/hour

24-Mag • New York, NY

2d • Remote

About The Position

24-MAG LLC is offering a remote independent-contractor consulting opportunity for experienced metallurgists and welding inspectors to contribute to advanced AI training and technical evaluation initiatives. Professionals will assess complex materials and manufacturing scenarios, make technically defensible accept/reject decisions, interpret microstructures and weld evidence, and provide clear reasoning grounded in recognized industry standards. Prior AI experience is not required; hands-on materials and inspection expertise is the primary qualification.

The work may involve metallographic review, heat-treatment evaluation, weld inspection, coating assessment, and additive-manufacturing defect disposition. Contributors may review micrographs, weld macros, fracture surfaces, coatings, and laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) build data. Project scope, materials, inspection scenarios, and applicable standards may vary.

Work must not use confidential, proprietary, export-controlled, classified, customer-restricted, or otherwise protected technical information belonging to an employer, manufacturer, client, government entity, institution, or other third party. Fully remote U.S.-based professionals are preferred. Compensation is $80–$130 per hour.

Requirements

• At least 8 years of hands-on metallurgical or welding-inspection experience.
• Extensive experience making high-stakes accept/reject decisions.
• Strong background in metallographic analysis, including experience evaluating micrographs and fracture surfaces.
• Deep familiarity with heat-treatment processes and acceptance criteria.
• Strong knowledge of AMS 2750 and ASTM E112.
• Experience with weld macro-etch evaluation.
• Advanced familiarity with ASTM, AMS, AWS, and NADCAP standards.
• Experience with NACE/AMPP and SSPC coating requirements and practical knowledge of industrial coating inspection.
• Strong written and verbal technical communication skills, attention to detail, and ability to explain technical reasoning.
• Ability to work independently in remote or digital project environments.
• Work must be completed without using protected or restricted technical information belonging to third parties.

Nice To Haves

• Current or prior AWS Certified Welding Inspector credential; equivalent metallurgical or welding certification is also relevant.
• Familiarity with laser powder bed fusion additive manufacturing and understanding of LPBF defect mechanisms and disposition.
• U.S.-based professionals are preferred.
• Prior AI-training or model-evaluation experience is not required.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate metallographic microstructures for material acceptability, interpret grain structure, defects, and material condition, compare findings with applicable standards, identify nonconformities, and document metallurgical reasoning.
• Review heat-treatment processes for technical compliance, apply AMS 2750 and related specifications, evaluate grain size using ASTM E112 principles, identify deviations, and assess outcomes against required criteria.
• Review weld macro-etch results and inspection evidence, apply AWS CWI acceptance criteria where relevant, identify discontinuities and quality concerns, and assess conformity with applicable standards.
• Assess coating quality against NACE/AMPP and SSPC requirements, including surface preparation, integrity, and protective performance.
• Review LPBF additive-manufacturing defects and build or cross-sectional data, and apply practical judgment to defect disposition.
• Apply NADCAP, AWS, ASTM, AMS, NACE/AMPP, and SSPC standards to technical evaluations.
• Review metal samples, weldments, coatings, and additive builds; produce clear written reports and communicate technical conclusions verbally when required.
• Support consistent evaluation standards across project workflows.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed