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Certified Welding Inspector Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Thompson Engineering

Certified Welding Inspector

Houston, TX · On-site

$27 - $36.50/hr

Position Summary Thompson Engineering is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) to join our inspection and quality assurance team. This position is responsible for ...

Thompson Engineering

Certified Welding Inspector

Houston, TX · On-site

$27 - $36.50/hr

Position SummaryThompson Engineering is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) to join our inspection and quality assurance team. This position is responsible for ...

Thompson Engineering

Certified Welding Inspector

Westlake, LA · On-site

$22.50 - $30.50/hr

Position SummaryThompson Engineering is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) to join our inspection and quality assurance team. This position is responsible for ...

Big-D

Certified Welding Inspector

Beaumont, TX

$27 - $36.75/hr

Big-D Heavy Industrial is looking for a Certified Welding Inspector to join our growing team. This is a great opportunity to continue your career with a company that is on a mission to be the most ...

Thompson Engineering

Certified Welding Inspector

Dallas, TX

$26 - $35.25/hr

Position Summary Thompson Engineering is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) to join our inspection and quality assurance team. This position is responsible for ...

Thompson Engineering

Certified Welding Inspector

Dallas, TX · On-site

$26 - $35.25/hr

Position Summary Thompson Engineering is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) to join our inspection and quality assurance team. This position is responsible for ...

Thompson Engineering

Certified Welding Inspector

Dallas, TX

$26 - $35.25/hr

Position Summary Thompson Engineering is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) to join our inspection and quality assurance team. This position is responsible for ...

Thompson Engineering

Certified Welding Inspector

Abilene, TX · On-site

$27.25 - $37/hr

Position SummaryThompson Engineering is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) to join our inspection and quality assurance team. This position is responsible for ...

Thompson Engineering

Certified Welding Inspector

Beaumont, TX · On-site

$27 - $36.75/hr

Position Summary Thompson Engineering is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) to join our inspection and quality assurance team. This position is responsible for ...

Thompson Engineering

Certified Welding Inspector

Dallas, TX · On-site

$26 - $35.25/hr

Position Summary Thompson Engineering is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) to join our inspection and quality assurance team. This position is responsible for ...

Thompson Engineering

Certified Welding Inspector

Beaumont, TX · On-site

$27 - $36.75/hr

Position SummaryThompson Engineering is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) to join our inspection and quality assurance team. This position is responsible for ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsCertified Welding Inspector Jobs

Certified Welding Inspector information

See salary details

$15

$31

$45

How much do certified welding inspector jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for certified welding inspector in the United States is $31.97, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $27.16 and $36.78 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges certified welding inspectors face in maintaining quality standards on job sites?

Certified Welding Inspectors often encounter challenges such as balancing tight project deadlines with thorough inspection processes, communicating technical requirements to both welders and management, and ensuring compliance with complex codes and standards. They must also address discrepancies in welding practices and documentation, sometimes under pressure from production demands. Effective inspectors rely on strong attention to detail and interpersonal skills to maintain safety and quality while fostering teamwork across departments.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a certified welding inspector?

To thrive as a Certified Welding Inspector, you need a strong understanding of welding processes, metallurgy, blueprint reading, and quality assurance, typically validated by an AWS CWI certification. Familiarity with inspection tools like calipers, micrometers, and non-destructive testing (NDT) equipment is also essential. Attention to detail, strong communication, and problem-solving skills are important soft skills for accurately documenting findings and collaborating with teams. These competencies ensure weld quality, compliance with safety standards, and the integrity of structures in various industries.

What is the difference between Certified Welding Inspector vs Welding Inspector?

CriteriaCertified Welding InspectorWelding Inspector
CertificationsAWS CWI certification requiredMay not require certification, but often preferred
Work EnvironmentInspecting welds in manufacturing, construction, and industrial settingsPerforming visual inspections, quality checks, and documentation
Industry UsageCommonly employed in industries requiring certified weld qualityUsed broadly in various welding-related roles, sometimes without certification

The main difference is that a Certified Welding Inspector holds an AWS CWI certification, indicating a higher level of qualification and expertise. While both roles involve inspecting welds, the Certified Welding Inspector is recognized for meeting specific certification standards, making them more suitable for compliance and quality assurance in regulated industries.

What is a certified welding inspector?

A Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) is a professional who is trained and certified to inspect welds and ensure they meet specific codes, standards, and safety requirements. CWIs play a crucial role in industries such as construction, manufacturing, and shipbuilding by verifying the quality and integrity of welded structures. They are responsible for conducting visual inspections, reviewing documents, performing tests, and documenting their findings. Achieving CWI certification typically requires passing a comprehensive exam and meeting experience or education requirements. This certification is widely recognized and valued in the welding industry.

What does a certified welding inspector do?

Metal structures, such as steel fences and pipelines, are constructed through a welding process. A Certified Welding Inspector, or CWI, ensures that these structures are welded properly. The CWI checks the structure for defects, uses specialized stress equipment to test for durability, and performs re-inspections.

How much can you make if you have a Certified Welding Inspector?

A Certified Welding Inspector typically earns between $60,000 and $90,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. Senior inspectors or those working in high-demand sectors can earn higher salaries, especially with additional certifications or specialized skills.

Are certified welding inspectors in demand?

Certified welding inspectors are in demand due to ongoing needs in construction, manufacturing, and infrastructure projects that require quality control and safety compliance. Their expertise in welding codes, inspection tools, and certifications makes them valuable in industries with strict quality standards, leading to steady employment opportunities.
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Certified Welding Inspector jobs near you
Infographic showing various Certified Welding Inspector job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $66,492 per year, or $32 per hour.

Certified Welding Inspector

MSI Defense Solutions

Mooresville, NC • On-site

$25 - $33.75/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 14 days ago

Job description

Position Overview
MSI Defense Solutions is seeking an AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) to support welding inspection, weld quality control, production welding compliance, supplier welding oversight, and objective evidence requirements for fabricated and welded assemblies.
This position is responsible for performing visual weld inspections, verifying welding documentation, supporting compliance with applicable AWS welding codes and customer requirements, and ensuring weld quality records are complete, accurate, and traceable. The CWI will support manufacturing operations by reviewing drawings, weld symbols, specifications, weld procedure documentation, welder qualifications, inspection results, and objective evidence to help ensure welded products conform to engineering, contractual, customer, and internal quality requirements.
The CWI will work closely with Quality, Engineering, Production, Supply Chain, Program Management, suppliers, customers, and government representatives as needed to support weld quality, resolve weld-related issues, reduce defects, and maintain audit readiness. This position operates within MSI's Quality Management System and supports continuous improvement, nonconforming material control, corrective action, and production readiness activities.
The AWS Certified Welding Inspector reports to the Quality Manager. This position requires a full-time work week spent in the shop and office in Mooresville, NC. The regular work schedule is Monday through Thursday, 6:00am to 4:30pm. The employee must be flexible to work additional hours as needed based on project requirements, production needs, customer requirements, and deadlines. Travel is not expected as a regular requirement of the position but may be required on a limited basis to support supplier inspections, customer requirements, or program needs.
Key Responsibilities
  • Perform visual inspections of welded assemblies, fabricated components, weld joints, and related workmanship features in accordance with applicable drawings, weld symbols, AWS welding codes, specifications, work instructions, quality requirements, and contract requirements.
  • Verify compliance with applicable welding standards based on substrate material and contractual requirements, including AWS D1.1/D1.1M for steel, AWS D1.2/D1.2M for aluminum, AWS D1.3/D1.3M for sheet metal, AWS D1.9/D1.9M for titanium, AWS B2.1/B2.1M when applicable, and other standards when invoked by drawing, TDP, purchase order, contract, or customer flowdown.
  • Review and interpret engineering drawings, weld symbols, GD&T, specifications, technical data packages, manufacturing instructions, work orders, quality clauses, and customer requirements to determine applicable weld inspection and documentation requirements.
  • Conduct in-process and final visual inspections of weldments, fabricated assemblies, and welded structures to verify conformance prior to acceptance, movement to the next operation, or shipment.
  • Verify that Weld Procedure Specifications (WPS), Procedure Qualification Records (PQR), Welder Performance Qualification records (WPQ), welder continuity records, and related welding records are complete, current, traceable, and applicable to the work being performed.
  • Verify that welders and welding operators are qualified for the applicable welding process, material, thickness range, position, joint configuration, and code requirements prior to performing production welding.
  • Support the identification and control of critical, high-stress, safety-related, or customer-designated weld joints requiring enhanced inspection, documentation, hold points, customer review, or additional verification.
  • Support the development, review, implementation, and maintenance of welding inspection procedures, weld inspection checklists, weld maps/logs, inspection forms, and welding quality records.
  • Confirm that applicable welding requirements, acceptance criteria, inspection points, hold points, and quality records are properly flowed into work instructions, travelers, routers, build books, inspection plans, and supplier purchase orders when required.
  • Document weld inspection results, inspection status, weld defects, rework requirements, and acceptance/rejection determinations in accordance with company procedures, customer requirements, and applicable quality record requirements.
  • Identify, document, and control nonconforming weld conditions through the NCR/MRB process in accordance with company procedures and approval authority.
  • Support root cause analysis, corrective action, containment, rework verification, and effectiveness verification for weld-related internal, supplier, or customer quality issues.
  • Provide technical guidance to welders, production personnel, inspectors, and supervisors regarding welding standards, weld symbols, workmanship expectations, visual acceptance criteria, inspection requirements, and documentation requirements.
  • Support First Article Inspections, production readiness reviews, customer inspections, source inspections, government inspections, and hardware acceptance activities involving welded or fabricated assemblies.
  • Support supplier quality activities for externally sourced welded components, including supplier documentation review, WPS/PQR/WPQ review, weld inspection record review, certificate of conformance review, source inspection support, and supplier corrective action follow-up.
  • Coordinate with approved external NDT providers when nondestructive testing is required by drawing, specification, purchase order, contract, or customer flowdown. Review NDT reports and related objective evidence for completeness, traceability, and compliance with applicable requirements.
  • Support calibration control and suitability of weld inspection tools, gauges, visual aids, and measurement equipment used for weld inspection activities.
  • Maintain required vision testing, certification, qualification, and inspection records needed to support weld inspection authority and customer/program compliance.
  • Participate in internal audits, customer audits, government audits, registrar audits, and welding-related process audits as required.
  • Monitor welding and fabrication processes to identify opportunities to improve quality, consistency, defect prevention, documentation accuracy, and process control.
  • Support MSI's welding inspection program, including AWS QC1 CWI requirements and any employer-based welding inspector qualification requirements established under AWS B5.2 when applicable.
  • Promote a culture of quality, safety, workmanship discipline, documentation accuracy, and continuous improvement.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Authority
  • Authorized to accept or reject welds based on applicable drawings, specifications, AWS welding codes, customer requirements, work instructions, and established acceptance criteria.
  • Authorized to stop, hold, or escalate welded product when weld quality, documentation, qualification, traceability, or compliance concerns exist.
  • Authorized to prevent movement to the next operation or shipment of welded product when required inspection, documentation, qualification, or acceptance requirements have not been satisfied.
  • Authorized to request corrective action, rework documentation, Engineering review, Quality review, supplier response, or escalation for customer direction when weld-related nonconformances or requirement conflicts are identified.

Skills and Qualifications Required
  • Current AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) certification in good standing in accordance with AWS QC1.
  • High school diploma or equivalent.
  • Minimum 5 years of welding inspection experience in a manufacturing, fabrication, defense, aerospace, vehicle, structural, or similar industrial environment.
  • Working knowledge of applicable AWS welding codes and welding inspection requirements.
  • Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, weld symbols, GD&T, technical specifications, manufacturing instructions, quality clauses, and customer documentation.
  • Experience inspecting welds and fabricated assemblies for visual discontinuities, dimensional requirements, workmanship requirements, and code-based acceptance criteria.
  • Experience reviewing WPS, PQR, WPQ, welder qualification ranges, and welder continuity records.
  • Working knowledge of welding processes such as GMAW, GTAW, FCAW, SMAW, and related fabrication practices.
  • Proficiency with weld inspection tools and measuring equipment, including fillet weld gauges, bridge cam gauges, hi-lo gauges, calipers, micrometers, squares, levels, visual aids, and other applicable inspection tools.
  • Ability to document inspection results clearly and maintain complete, accurate, and traceable quality records.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • Ability to work in a hands-on manufacturing environment and support production, inspection, engineering, supplier quality, and customer quality activities.
  • Ability to complete and maintain required vision testing for weld inspection and visual examination activities, including near vision, distance vision, and color vision screening when required.
  • U.S. Citizenship is required. Candidates must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance if required for the position.

Preferred Qualifications
  • AWS Senior Certified Welding Inspector (SCWI) certification.
  • AWS CWI endorsements related to AWS D17.1, Nondestructive Examination Coordination, Welding Coordination and Quality Assurance, Welder Performance Qualification, or Welding Procedure Qualification.
  • Experience in defense, aerospace, military vehicle, heavy fabrication, launcher systems, tactical vehicle systems, or government contracting environments.
  • Experience with AWS D1.1/D1.1M, AWS D1.2/D1.2M, AWS D1.3/D1.3M, AWS D1.9/D1.9M, AWS B2.1/B2.1M, or other welding standards invoked by customer or contract requirements.
  • Experience with ISO 9001 or AS9100 quality management systems.
  • ISO 9001 Internal Auditor certification or documented internal auditor training.
  • Experience with NCR/MRB processes, weld repair/rework verification, root cause analysis, corrective action, and effectiveness verification.
  • Experience supporting First Article Inspections, production readiness reviews, source inspections, customer inspections, government inspections, or hardware acceptance reviews.
  • Experience reviewing supplier welding documentation, certificates of conformance, special process records, weld inspection reports, and objective evidence.
  • Experience supporting supplier audits, source inspections, supplier corrective action requests, and supplier performance monitoring for welded or fabricated components.
  • Familiarity with MIL-STD, Department of War (DoW), FAR, DFARS, customer quality clauses, and contract flowdown requirements.
  • Familiarity with NDT methods and NDT documentation, including PT, MT, UT, and RT, when performed by qualified external providers.
  • Certified Quality Inspector (CQI), Certified Quality Technician (CQT), or other quality-related certification.
  • Associate's degree or technical training in Welding Technology, Welding Engineering, Manufacturing, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Quality, or a related technical field.

Physical Requirements
  • Ability to work in both office and manufacturing environments, including walking, standing, bending, kneeling, reaching, climbing, and accessing production areas as needed.
  • Must be able to access and navigate each department within the organization's facilities.
  • Must be able to visually inspect welds, fabricated assemblies, parts, tools, documentation, and inspection equipment.
  • Must be able to complete and maintain required visual acuity testing for weld inspection and visual examination activities, with corrected or uncorrected vision as permitted by applicable requirements.
  • Must be able to occasionally lift or carry parts, tools, or equipment up to 45 pounds, with assistance when required.
  • Must be able to use computers, inspection tools, weld gauges, measurement equipment, and standard office equipment as required for the position.
  • Must be able to work safely around welding, fabrication, grinding, lifting, vehicle, and production activities while following applicable company safety requirements.

The MSI Operating Code
Every employee at MSI is expected to operate in accordance with the MSI Operating Code. These seven principles define how we think, decide, and execute. They are not aspirational. They are the working standard by which all employees are evaluated.
The Seven Principles
  1. Own It. If a problem touches your function, it is yours until it is solved or explicitly transferred. Do not wait. Do not delegate upward. Do not hide behind process. Ownership means driving to resolution, not monitoring status.
  2. Kill the Wrong Fight. Before optimizing a solution, question whether the problem is yours to solve. If an opportunity requires MSI to become something we are not, kill it fast. The discipline to say no is what protects our ability to say yes to the right things.
  3. Move Before You're Told. Speed is MSI's compounding advantage. We move when directionally correct and adjust in motion. Leaders who wait for permission are not leading. We would rather correct a fast decision than wait for a perfect one.
  4. Solve Before You Contract. Prove the integration works before formalizing the relationship. Capability first, paperwork follows. Working capability is the strongest negotiating position and the most honest form of business development.
  5. Integrate First. MSI's moat is not any single technology. It is the ability to integrate modular systems faster and more effectively than anyone else. Every decision should reinforce our position as the integration hub.
  6. Say It Now. Silence is not alignment. If you disagree, say so, with data, with reasoning, and with an alternative path. Passive execution is institutional risk.
  7. Build Beyond Yourself. If your function depends on your presence to operate, you have not built anything. Develop your people. Document your

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