Quality Control Specialist

POSITION SUMMARY The Quality Control Specialist is responsible for ensuring that all fabricated steel components, weldments, and structural assemblies produced by ESA Fabrication meet applicable codes, project specifications, and customer requirements. This role performs in-process and final inspections, verifies material certifications and weld quality, maintains inspection and traceability documentation, and works directly with shop personnel and project management to identify and resolve nonconformances before product ships. The Quality Control Specialist plays a critical role in protecting the company's reputation for code-compliant, on-spec fabrication across all facilities. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Perform incoming material inspections, verifying mill certifications (MTRs), heat numbers, and material traceability against purchase orders and drawings. Conduct in-process inspections of fit-up, joint preparation, and welding sequence to confirm compliance with approved Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS) and shop drawings. Perform visual weld inspection (VT) in accordance with AWS D1.1 (structural steel) and AWS D1.3 (sheet steel), and coordinate third-party NDT (UT, MT, PT, RT) as required by project specifications. Verify welder qualifications and Welder Performance Qualification Records (WPQRs) remain current for all welders assigned to certified work. Conduct final dimensional inspections of fabricated assemblies against approved for construction (AFC) drawings and tolerances prior to paint, galvanizing, or shipment. Inspect surface preparation and coating/paint thickness (DFT) to meet specification requirements, including SSPC surface prep standards where applicable. Identify, document, and tag nonconforming material or workmanship; initiate Nonconformance Reports (NCRs) and track corrective and preventive actions to closure. Maintain complete and organized quality documentation packages, including inspection reports, material certifications, weld maps, and NDT reports, for delivery to customers and for internal record retention. Support and help maintain the shop's Quality Management System (QMS) and assist with AISC certification program requirements and audits, where applicable. Collaborate with production supervisors, project managers, and engineering to resolve fit-up issues, drawing discrepancies, and specification conflicts in a timely manner. Participate in root cause analysis for recurring quality issues and recommend process improvements to reduce rework and scrap. Conduct pre-shipment inspections and verify that shipped items match packing lists, drawings, and customer-specific shipping requirements. Maintain calibration records for inspection tools and gauges (tape measures, calipers, DFT gauges, weld gauges, etc.). Enforce safe work practices during inspection activities and report safety hazards observed on the shop floor. SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY This position has no direct supervisory responsibility but is expected to exercise inspection authority to hold work, reject nonconforming product, and stop production when safety or code compliance is at risk, escalating through the Quality Control Manager or Operations Manager. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS High school diploma or GED required; associate degree or technical certification in welding, metallurgy, or quality inspection preferred. Minimum 3-5 years of experience in quality control/inspection within a structural steel fabrication, metal building, or heavy industrial manufacturing environment. []{style="font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-weight: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font "}