Entrylevel Quality Control Inspector Jobs in Ponchatoula, LA

Job Description: Epic Piping has an exciting opportunity available for a Quality Control Inspector to be an integral part of our team. Epic takes pride in our quality of work and has a goal of building our workforce with the most talented employees. POSITION SUMMARY Perform comprehensive quality control inspection activities across all phases of nuclear pipe fabrication — including receiving material inspection, in-process inspection, final inspection, nonconformance reporting, and fabrication traveler preparation — in accordance with ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, applicable client specifications, and the site Nuclear Quality Assurance program (NQA-1 / 10 CFR 50 Appendix B). Serve as the primary QC interface between engineering, procurement, production, and the customer or Authorized Nuclear Inspector (ANI) on all matters relating to product quality and code compliance. WHAT YOU’LL DO: Traveler Preparation & Work Package DevelopmentPrepare fabrication travelers and inspection work packages for nuclear piping systems in accordance with ASME Section III requirements, engineering drawings, isometric sketches, bill of materials, applicable WPS/PQR designations, and client-specific quality requirements. Identify and insert all required inspection hold points, witness points, and review points into the traveler at the appropriate sequence steps, ensuring mandatory NDE, dimensional, and documentation verifications cannot be bypassed by production. Review engineering drawings, design specifications, and purchase order quality requirements prior to traveler issuance to ensure that all applicable code requirements, supplementary requirements (e.g., ASME Section III NCA-3800 Owner requirements), and client quality notes are captured in the inspection sequence. Assign the correct applicable WPS to each weld joint on the traveler based on base material P-number, filler metal F-number, thickness range, and process, in coordination with the welding engineer. Coordinate with engineering and production planning to resolve drawing interpretation questions, missing dimensions, or specification conflicts prior to releasing a traveler to the shop floor. Revise and reissue travelers as required to incorporate engineering changes, design revisions, or corrective actions; ensure superseded revisions are retrieved from the shop floor and replaced with current controlled copies. Maintain traveler log and status tracking to provide real-time visibility of work package status, open hold points, and pending inspections to production supervision and QC management. Nonconformance Reports (NCRs)Identify, document, and initiate NCRs for any material, component, weld, or process that fails to meet ASME Section III requirements, engineering drawing requirements, purchase order specifications, or the approved QA program. Ensure physical segregation or clear identification of nonconforming items immediately upon NCR initiation; apply hold tags or quarantine labels and verify that nonconforming material cannot be inadvertently used or shipped. Describe nonconformances on the NCR with sufficient technical detail — including applicable code paragraph, drawing dimension or note, or specification requirement — to support an accurate engineering disposition. Track open NCRs to closure; follow up with engineering, production, and procurement on overdue dispositions; escalate aging NCRs to the QC Supervisor and Quality Manager as required. Review engineering dispositions (Use-As-Is, Repair, Rework, Reject/Scrap) for technical adequacy and confirm that the proposed disposition is permitted under ASME Section III prior to releasing the NCR for implementation. Verify completion of approved repair or rework activities; perform re-inspection to the original inspection requirements and confirm re-examination by NDE Examiners where required; close the NCR only after all corrective actions are verified complete and acceptable. Analyze NCR trends by defect type, weld process, welder, material, or production area; prepare periodic NCR trend summaries for QC management review and input into the Corrective Action Program (CAP). Communicate significant nonconformances, potential nuclear safety concerns, or conditions adverse to quality to the QC Supervisor and Quality Manager promptly; support root cause analysis and corrective action development as directed. Maintain the NCR log with current status, disposition, and closure dates; provide NCR status reports to QC management and participate in NCR review meetings. Receiving Material InspectionPerform receiving inspection on all incoming base materials, weld filler metals, flanges, fittings, valves, and other pressure boundary components prior to release to the fabrication floor, verifying conformance to purchase order requirements, applicable material specifications, and ASME Section III material certification requirements. Review and verify material test reports (MTRs) and certifications for compliance with ASME Section III material requirements (NB-2000, NC-2000, ND-2000 as applicable), including chemical composition, mechanical properties, heat/lot traceability, and required supplementary testing. Verify that material markings (heat number, specification, grade, size) are legible and match the associated MTR; identify and quarantine any material with missing, illegible, or nonconforming identification. Perform dimensional inspections on received pipe, fittings, flanges, and valves using calibrated measuring instruments including calipers, micrometers, pipe schedules gauges, go/no-go gauges, and OD/ID measuring tools to confirm conformance to purchase order dimensions and applicable ASME/ASTM material standards. Inspect received materials and components for surface condition, visible damage, corrosion, laminations, seams, and transportation damage; reject or quarantine items with conditions that could affect pressure boundary integrity. Verify that weld filler metals and consumables are received with applicable certifications per ASME Section III SFA specifications, and confirm storage conditions (low-hydrogen electrode ovens, shielding gas purity) meet AWS and WPS requirements prior to release. Confirm that valves, flanges, and specialty items received under Certificates of Conformance (C of C) include documentation sufficient to satisfy ASME Section III procurement requirements; initiate source surveillance or additional verification when C of C documentation is incomplete. Enter receiving inspection results in the material receiving log; complete receiving inspection records with disposition (accept, reject, or hold pending further review), and forward rejected material documentation to Procurement for supplier corrective action. Submit discrepancy reports to Procurement for any material that does not match purchase order requirements; place nonconforming material in a physically segregated hold area pending disposition. In-Process InspectionPerform in-process inspections at all designated hold points and witness points on the fabrication traveler; production shall not advance past a mandatory hold point without a documented QC Inspector acceptance signature and date. Verify material identification and traceability at each stage of fabrication; confirm that heat numbers, material grades, and component identification are maintained and transferred correctly to sub-components and spool pieces throughout cutting, fit-up, and welding operations. Inspect weld joint fit-up, root gap, bevel geometry, land dimension, alignment, and mismatch prior to root pass welding; verify conformance to applicable WPS requirements and engineering drawing tolerances. Confirm preheat compliance prior to welding on each joint requiring preheat per the WPS; verify preheat method, coverage area, and temperature using calibrated contact pyrometers or temperature-indicating crayons. Perform interpass inspections to verify interpass temperature compliance, interpass cleaning, and root pass condition prior to fill and cap passes; verify continued conformance to WPS amperage, voltage, travel speed, and heat input requirements as applicable. Verify that the correct, currently qualified WPS is posted at the welding station for each joint being welded; confirm the welder or weld operator holds a current, applicable WPQ for the process, position, material, and thickness in work. Monitor post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) operations where required; verify thermocouple placement, heating and cooling rates, hold temperature, and hold time conform to the WPS and ASME Section III requirements; review PWHT charts for completeness prior to accepting the record. Perform in-process dimensional checks including spool piece dimensions, flange face orientation, branch connection geometry, and weld joint alignment against engineering drawings and tolerances. Coordinate NDE hold points with NDE Examiners; verify that required NDE examinations (PT, MT, RT, UT, VT) are completed, examination reports are accepted, and no rejectable indications remain open prior to releasing a joint or component for further processing. Review and sign off production records, weld logs, material usage records, and parameter records at each traveler hold point; verify entries are complete, legible, and traceable before advancing the traveler. Final InspectionPerform final dimensional inspection on completed spool pieces and piping assemblies, verifying overall dimensions, end-to-end lengths, flange face dimensions and ratings, branch orientations, and weld joint locations against the engineering isometric drawing and applicable tolerances. Verify that all weld joints on the spool piece are represented by complete, accepted NDE examination records; confirm that all hold points on the traveler are closed with inspector signatures and dates prior to final acceptance. Inspect all weld surfaces on the completed spool for visual acceptability per ASME Section III VT acceptance criteria; verify weld profile, surface condition, and freedom from rejectable surface discontinuities. Verify cleanliness of internal pipe bore and weld roots on accessible joints; confirm that weld spatter, slag, and construction debris have been removed per applicable cleaning and flushing requirements. Confirm that all required markings, component identification, heat numbers, and code stamps (N-stamp or applicable) are correctly applied and traceable to the completed traveler and data report package. Review the complete fabrication data package — including MTRs, certifications, WPS designations, weld records, NDE reports, PWHT records, dimensional records, NCR dispositions, and all traveler entries — for completeness, consistency, and code compliance prior to submitting for ANI review. Coordinate final inspection activities with the Authorized Nuclear Inspector (ANI); present the completed data package and facilitate ANI review, hold point sign-offs, and N-5 or N-2 Data Report certification as applicable. Prepare or review the Certificate of Conformance or Manufacturer's Data Report as required by ASME Section III and the purchase order; verify that all code required documentation is present and accurate prior to release for shipping. Verify hydrostatic or pneumatic test completion records where applicable; confirm test pressure, duration, temperature, and acceptance criteria are documented and signed by responsible personnel. Apply final acceptance status to the component and traveler; authorize release to shipping, storage, or the next higher assembly in accordance with the approved QA program. Quality System & Code ComplianceEnsure compliance with all applicable safety, environmental, and industrial hygiene guidelines, policies, and regulations in the performance of all inspection activities. Maintain a thorough working knowledge of ASME Section III (NCA, NB, NC, ND, NF as applicable), ASME Section IX, applicable ASTM material standards, and NQA-1 / 10 CFR 50 Appendix B quality assurance requirements. Interpret and apply applicable codes, standards, and client specifications; provide code compliance guidance to welders, fitters, production supervisors, and engineering personnel as required. Participate in internal quality audits and surveillances, customer source inspections, and NRC inspections as directed; present inspection records, traveler packages, and quality data to auditors in an organized and professional manner. Identify process improvement opportunities based on inspection findings, NCR trends, and audit observations; recommend procedural or process changes to QC management to prevent recurrence of quality escapes. Maintain all measuring and test equipment (M&TE) used in inspection activities within current calibration per the site M&TE Control program; initiate out-of-calibration reports and assess potential impact on prior inspections when out-of-tolerance conditions are discovered. Perform other duties as assigned by the QC Supervisor or Quality Manager. WHAT YOU’LL NEED: Education: Associate's or Bachelor's Degree in a relevant technical, engineering, or quality discipline; or equivalent combination of technical education and directly related quality inspection experience. Experience: Minimum 3–5 years of quality control inspection experience in a pressure vessel, nuclear, or code-regulated pipe fabrication environment required. Demonstrated experience preparing fabrication travelers, performing receiving inspection, in-process weld inspection, final dimensional inspection, and initiating and tracking NCRs in a regulated QA program.Familiarity with ASME Section III NB/NC/ND piping fabrication requirements and NQA-1 quality assurance program elements strongly preferred. Computer Skills: Proficiency with electronic quality management systems (QMS), document control platforms, and standard office productivity software (Word, Excel) for traveler preparation, NCR tracking, and inspection record generation.ASNT SNT-TC-1A VT Level II certification required or strongly preferred; additional NDE method certifications (PT, MT) are a plus.Familiarity with ASME Section III N-stamp program requirements and ANI interface responsibilities preferred. Certifications & Licenses:ASNT SNT-TC-1A VT Level II certification required or strongly preferred; additional NDE method certifications (PT, MT) are a plus.Familiarity with ASME Section III N-stamp program requirements and ANI interface responsibilities preferred. WHAT WE OFFER:Industry-leading training and development programs Competitive insurance and benefit options Company-paid life insurance and long-term disability insurance Paid vacation and holiday time Traditional and Roth 401(k) plans available (50% company match up to 6% contributed by the employee) Career growth opportunities through hands-on training and mentorships Work alongside industry leaders and mentors Training and development programs to help you build the skills and kno