QA/QC Inspector 1

Job Summary:

The QA/QC Inspector I performs visual inspection and verification of material, equipment, piping systems, welding, and brazing installation work on assigned projects and in fabrication shops and records each result as objective evidence. The position works to project specifications, ASME piping codes, manufacturer requirements, and customer site requirements, under the direction of the assigned QA/QC Inspector III and within ACCO's welding program requirements. 

QA/QC Inspector I is the entry inspection level, below Inspector II and III. Assigned alone to a project or shop, this position performs the inspections in its scope and produces a complete, retrievable record of each one, working to an inspection plan set by the QA/QC Area Supervisor or the assigned Inspector III rather than writing that plan itself. Where an Inspector II or III is also assigned, daily technical direction comes from them; where neither is, it comes from the next QA/QC manager in line.

QA/QC supports fabrication, installation and project management. Those groups are this position's customers inside ACCO, and what they build is what reaches the contractual customer. The position works as part of the project team — available, responsive, and practical about how the work gets built — not as an outside check on it. Findings are raised to be resolved. Getting to the work early, before it is covered, is part of the job.

Field and shop personnel take day-to-day direction from local project leadership (Project Management, Foreperson, General Foreperson, or Superintendent) on a dotted-line basis: where to be, when, and how the day is coordinated, with site adherence to appropriate conduct and safety in mind. Inspection decisions, acceptance and rejection, and the quality record run through the QA/QC line to the assigned QA/QC Inspector III, then the QA/QC Area Supervisor and the QA/QC Regional Manager. Where the two pull against each other the QA/QC line governs the quality decision, and the conflict is raised the same day rather than settled on site.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Inspection

Perform visual examination of welded, brazed, soldered, and mechanical joints, including grooved couplings, press fittings, flanges, and threaded connections.

Inspect pipe fit-up, alignment, joint preparation, cleanliness, support and hanger installation, and general workmanship.

Perform receiving inspection of material and equipment against the submittal, packing list, and required documentation.

Perform in-process and final visual inspection of high-purity process piping, clean utilities, chemical and gas systems, hydronic systems, and HVAC mechanical systems.

Attend hold and witness points as scheduled, and participate in pressure tests, system walkdowns, punch-list inspections, and pre-turnover verification.

Other duties as assigned by QA/QC leadership, in conjunction with the project team.

• Verification

Verify compliance with project specifications, customer site requirements, ASME B31.1, B31.3, B31.5, and B31.9, AWS D1.1 and D1.3 where applicable, manufacturer requirements, and ACCO procedures.

Verify that the welding procedure specification in use is approved and applicable, and that welder qualification and continuity are current for the process in use.

Verify material traceability — heat numbers, material test reports, and lot identification — for the work inspected.

Verify that measuring and test equipment in use is within its calibration period.

• Documentation

Submit a daily inspection report with photographs on every project day worked, filed to the project QA/QC folder the same day.

Complete inspection records, weld maps, fit-up logs, brazing logs, torque logs, and visual inspection records legibly and contemporaneously with the work.

Document nonconforming conditions with enough description, location, and photographic evidence that a reader who was not present can understand what was found.

Maintain personal certification and training records current, and act on expiry notifications when received.

• Team and safety

Communicate findings clearly and professionally to the Foreperson, the Superintendent, and QA/QC leadership.

Support the Inspector II and Inspector III on assigned projects and accept work direction from them.

Participate in ACCO's safety programs and demonstrate a commitment to a goal of ZERO injuries or incidents.

• Quality Authority

Identify and document nonconforming material, workmanship, or documentation and bring it to the assigned Inspector III. Issuance and disposition of a nonconformance report are decided by the QA/QC Area Supervisor or above jointly with the Project Team.

Place a hold on the specific work being inspected, and require that work not proceed past an inspection point until the inspection is performed.

Reject material at receiving that does not match the submittal, specification, or required documentation.

Stop and immediately notify the Inspector III and Project Manager where work in progress presents an immediate quality or safety risk.

Raising a quality concern is a required part of this job and is protected. Direction from production supervision does not override an inspection requirement.

• Limits of Authority

This position does not:

Qualify welders or brazers, or witness qualification testing as the certifying examiner.

Approve, revise, or issue welding procedure specifications or procedure qualification records.

Serve as the Certified Welding Inspector of record.

Approve repairs, deviations, waivers, or field changes to the approved design or procedure.

Issue or disposition a nonconformance report or sign turnover documentation or a final quality letter.

Position Requirements (Work Experience, Skills, Licenses, etc.):

• Three (3) or more years of experience in construction or fabrication quality control.

• One to two (1–2) years of that experience on semiconductor, high-purity, cleanroom, data center, or comparable technically demanding projects — cleanroom piping, process utilities, tool hook-ups, or chemical and gas systems.

• Current ASNT or ACCP VT Level I or Level II certification — the level set by the assigned duties and project requirements — meeting the ACCO Standard Written Practice and examination requirements, with approval by the ACCO ASNT Level III.

• Annual Jaeger J1 near-vision examination.

• Ability to read and interpret isometrics, P&IDs, shop drawings, specifications, and inspection reports.

• Working knowledge of weld and braze visual acceptance criteria, mechanical piping systems, and high-purity cleanliness and workmanship standards.

• Ability to write clear, factual inspection reports; regular and routine attendance.

• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation to assigned project sites.

Education and Experience:

Desired:

• Familiarity with PT, MT, UT, and RT sufficient to read a third-party examination report and understand what was examined, against what criteria, and with what result. ACCO does not perform these methods; certification to perform them is not required.

• OSHA 10 or OSHA 30, confined space, and first aid / CPR.

• Experience with Box, Bluebeam, Smartsheet, Procore, PlanGrid.

• Conversational Spanish.

ACCO Competencies:

• Proactivity/Initiative: Recognizes what needs to be done and accomplishes it in a manner appropriate for one’s level/position and with minimal supervision.

• Perseverance: Shows wherewithal to fight for difficult goals despite challenges and to bounce back from adversity.

• Motivation/Dedication: Commits to excellence in pursuing unselfish goals. Initiates action with collective goals, takes responsibility, and shows personal humility.

• Technical Curiosity/Willingness to Learn: Interest in seeking out new experiences, knowledge, and candid feedback; demonstrating an openness to learning and change.

• Insight: The ability to gather and make sense of information that suggests new possibilities.

• Engagement: Shows a knack for using emotion and logic to communicate a persuasive vision and connect with people.

• People Skills: Is approachable and gains the mutual trust and respect of others. Understands people’s strengths & weaknesses and actively seeks to understand other perspectives.

• Communication: Fosters open, honest, candid and respectful communication. Effectively assesses, defines and communicates issues in a timely manner, both written and verbal.

• Teamwork: The ability to effectively work toward common goals with others by supporting, encouraging, and sharing information in an authentic and approachable manner.

• Big Picture: Understands and contributes to the organizations’ short- and long-term business strategy. On a personal level has independently developed a vision for short- and long-term career success.

• Problem-Solver: Ability to identify, analyze, and solve problems in support of personnel, group, department, or organizational objectives.

• Execution: Effectively takes a vision and translates into action by including the right people. Identify and remove barriers, when possible, to achieve results. Demonstrates appropriate compromise, effective time management, prioritization practices and holds team members (including themselves) accountable for their performance/conduct.

• Professionalism: Respectfully observes and challenges the status quo with intent for improvement. Can take direction, accept feedback, and take full responsibility for their actions. Lead by example through positive influence and ethical leadership with consideration of the entire organization.