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Coating Inspection Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

CIF Field Engineer

Reston, VA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Supports field execution of coating application, thermal insulation on pipes & equipment, and fireproofing. Responsible for technical coordination, quantity tracking. inspection support, formal ...

Entry Level Staff Engineer

Reston, VA · On-site

$70K - $100K/yr

  • Retirement

Experience with industrial coating application and/or inspections and cathodic protection (CP) design and/or inspection - desired. * Experience in corrosion, coatings, or materials science in ...

New

Entry Level Staff Engineer

Reston, VA · On-site

$70K - $100K/yr

  • Retirement

Experience with industrial coating application and/or inspections and cathodic protection (CP) design and/or inspection - desired . * Experience in corrosion, coatings, or materials science in ...

New

Inspect assembly parts for defects and final assemblies for completion. * Complete daily schedules ... Perform special processes like spraying conformal coating and applying potting to a variety of ...

Be Seen First

... ceramic coating. We work primarily with luxury vehicle owners who expect top-tier service and ... Conduct final inspections of installations to ensure the highest standard of workmanship is met.

Be Seen First

... ceramic coating. We work primarily with luxury vehicle owners who expect top-tier service and ... Conduct final inspections of installations to ensure the highest standard of workmanship is met.

Showing results 21-36

Coating Inspection information

See Washington salary details

$19

$37

$65

How much do coating inspection jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for coating inspection in Washington is $37.10, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $25.05 and $43.56 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Coating Inspection vs NDT (Non-Destructive Testing)?

AspectCoating InspectionNDT (Non-Destructive Testing)
CertificationsSSPC, NACE, AWS coatings certificationsASNT, AWS NDT certifications
Work EnvironmentIndustrial sites, construction, manufacturingIndustrial, aerospace, oil & gas, manufacturing
Primary FocusAssessing coating quality, thickness, adhesionDetecting flaws, cracks, or defects without damage

Coating Inspection primarily involves evaluating the quality and application of protective coatings, focusing on thickness, adhesion, and surface preparation. NDT, on the other hand, involves testing materials for internal or surface flaws without causing damage. While both roles require specialized certifications and are used in industrial settings, they serve different purposes: coating inspectors ensure coatings are properly applied, whereas NDT technicians detect hidden defects in materials.

What are some common challenges faced by coating inspectors during large-scale projects, and how can they be addressed?

Coating inspectors often encounter challenges such as working in difficult environmental conditions, coordinating with multiple contractors, and ensuring strict adherence to project specifications. Managing varying surface preparation standards and overcoming communication gaps between the inspection team and applicators are also common. These challenges can be addressed by staying up-to-date with industry standards, maintaining clear documentation, and fostering strong communication with all project stakeholders to ensure high-quality and compliant results.

What is coating inspection?

Coating inspection is the process of assessing protective coatings applied to surfaces such as steel or concrete to ensure they meet specified standards and provide adequate protection against corrosion and other environmental factors. Inspectors use a variety of tools and techniques to examine surface preparation, coating thickness, adhesion, and overall application quality. This process is critical in industries like oil and gas, construction, and manufacturing to extend the lifespan of structures and equipment, maintain safety, and comply with industry regulations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a coating inspector, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Coating Inspector, you need a solid understanding of coating application methods, surface preparation standards, and common industry specifications, often supported by certifications like NACE or SSPC. Familiarity with inspection tools such as dry film thickness gauges, holiday detectors, and documentation systems is crucial. Attention to detail, strong observational skills, and effective communication help ensure accurate reporting and collaboration with project teams. These skills are vital for maintaining quality standards, ensuring compliance, and preventing costly failures in coating projects.

What are popular job titles related to Coating Inspection jobs in Washington?

For Coating Inspection jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Coating Inspection job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 10% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $77,158 per year, or $37.1 per hour.

Rapid Prototype Toolmaker & Fixture Builder

KFORM Defense

Sterling, VA • On-site

$30 - $45/hr

Other

Posted yesterday

New


Job description

Rapid Prototype Toolmaker & Fixture Builder

At Kform, we help top defense and dual‑use startups convert breakthrough designs into producible, fieldable hardware. We cover the full stack—design, engineering, prototyping, machining, quality, and production readiness—because national security programs move in weeks, not years.

Is This You?
  • Do you enjoy turning rough sketches and evolving CAD into tight‑tolerance parts?
  • Can you jump from CAM to a manual lathe, then into an engineering conversation about DFM?
  • Are you comfortable giving candid feedback on tolerances, setup, and material selection?
  • Do you thrive when ownership is high, timelines are short, and quality matters?
What You’ll Do
  • Machine prototype and low‑volume components for complex defense/dual‑use systems.
  • Program, set up, and run CNC mills and lathes; switch to manual mills, lathes, saws, drill presses, and grinders as needed.
  • Work from CAD models, drawings, sketches, notes, and verbal guidance amid evolving requirements.
  • Provide actionable feedback on manufacturability, tolerances, materials, setup strategy, tool access, fixturing, finishes, and cost/lead time.
  • Build/modify/repair prototypes, fixtures, tooling, test articles, brackets, enclosures, panels, mounts, and assemblies.
  • Collaborate directly with engineers to move from design intent to real hardware quickly.
  • Inspect parts using calipers, micrometers, indicators, height/thread gauges, and surface plates; confirm drawing, functional, and assembly needs.
  • Support assembly, fit checks, test setups, and troubleshooting.
  • Capture setup notes, issues, lessons learned, and design change recommendations.
  • Maintain shop organization, tooling health, machine readiness, and safe practices.
  • Contribute to continuous improvement across prototyping, machining, and manufacturing.
How You’ll Operate

Comfortably move between:

  • CNC mills and lathes
  • Manual machining equipment
  • CAD models and engineering drawings
  • CAM toolpaths and workflows
  • Inspection tools and metrology practices
  • Prototype assemblies and hands‑on builds
  • Fixtures, soft jaws, and custom workholding
  • Technical conversations with engineers
  • Production feedback and refinement
Must‑Haves
  • 3–5 years in CNC/manual machining, prototype fabrication, toolmaking, model making, or similar.
  • Ability to read drawings, understand design intent, and apply GD&T fundamentals.
  • Hands‑on CNC mill setup and operation experience.
  • Manual machining: mills, lathes, saws, drills, and standard tools.
  • Knowledge of aluminum, steels, stainless, plastics, and specialty materials.
  • Competence inspecting parts and applying basic quality practices.
  • Comfort working from incomplete inputs and asking the right questions.
  • Mechanical aptitude and practical problem‑solving.
  • Safety mindset in a fast‑moving shop.
  • Clear, direct communication with engineers, technicians, and production.
Nice‑to‑Haves
  • Prototype/R&D, defense/aerospace, robotics, machine shop, or advanced manufacturing background.
  • Programming with Fusion 360, Mastercam, SolidWorks CAM, HSMWorks, or similar CAM.
  • Experience with both CNC mills and CNC lathes.
  • Tight‑tolerance machining for complex assemblies.
  • Fixture design, soft jaws, custom workholding, production tooling.
  • Low‑volume production, engineering builds, EVT/DVT, production readiness experience.
  • GD&T practice, inspection documentation, first article inspection, AS9100‑style quality.
  • Exposure to sheet metal, welding, finishing/coating, additive, or assembly.
  • History of improving DFM/DFA with engineers.
  • Interest in manufacturing, American industry, defense technology, and hard problems.
Skills That Matter
  • CNC setup/operation and real‑world machining strategy
  • Manual machining and fabrication
  • Drawing interpretation, tolerancing, and disciplined inspection
  • CAM programming and toolpath development
  • Workholding, fixturing, and setup planning
  • Prototype fabrication and rapid iteration
  • Materials knowledge and cutting tool selection
  • DFM feedback and collaboration
  • Shop organization, safety, and machine care
  • Clear communication with engineers, technicians, suppliers, and production
  • Ownership, judgment, and attention to detail
Tech & Machines You’ll Use
  • CNC Mill: 3–4 axis VMC (Haas, Doosan)
  • CNC Mill: 5‑axis VMC (Haas)
  • CNC Lathe: 2–4 axis (Haas)
  • 3D Modeling: SolidWorks
  • CAD/CAM: Fusion 360, Mastercam, SolidWorks CAM/HSMWorks
Work Environment
  • Hands‑on time with machines, tooling, materials, fixtures, prototypes, inspection equipment, and production hardware.
  • Standing, walking, lifting, setup, deburring, and inspection near active manufacturing operations.
  • PPE as appropriate for task, equipment, and area.
  • Occasional support for customer projects, supplier coordination, testing, or production needs.
Why Kform

We operate on continuous improvement, aggressive value creation, and extreme ownership. We’re building the capability to bring advanced defense products into production faster. If you want to work directly with engineers, solve real manufacturing problems, and ship hardware that matters, join us.

Core Proficiencies
  • CNC Programming
  • Design for Manufacturability (DFM)
  • CNC Machine Setup & Changeover
  • CAD/CAM Software