Track Inspector Jobs in Philadelphia, PA (NOW HIRING)

Purpose of Job:

Are you ready to join an industry leading organization that is committed to maritime safety, innovation, and operational excellence? TOTE Services, a leading U.S.-based company specializing in vessel construction management (VCM), technical consulting, and ship management, is seeking talented individuals to join our growing and dynamic team. If you are passionate about addressing our nation’s most challenging maritime issues, working in a fast-paced environment, and helping shape the future of our domestic maritime industry, we want to hear from you!

At TOTE Services, we value hard work, integrity, and a dedication to superior service for our customers. Our employees enjoy broad training programs for professional development and exciting opportunities for career advancement. We recognize that maintaining a healthy work-life balance is essential to the long-term success and happiness of our employees.

TOTE Services is seeking a qualified individual to serve as a Coating Inspector within the Vessel Construction Management (VCM) team, supporting dry dock inspection, fleet preservation, and new vessel construction coating programs across multiple shipyards and operational locations.

This role operates in high-risk industrial shipyard environments where safety is the highest priority. The successful candidate must demonstrate a strong commitment to TOTE Services’ safety culture and actively promote safe work practices during all inspection activities.

The Coating Inspector will primarily be responsible for the field execution of coating inspection activities during vessel dry dock, repair, and preservation periods, while also supporting ongoing coating oversight within new construction programs and port-based maintenance operations.

This position requires flexibility to support multiple VCM operational locations, including shipyard assignments, office coordination, and cross-functional support activities as directed by VCM leadership. Preferred candidates will be located within driving distance of a TOTE / VCM operational hub, including Philadelphia, PA; Jacksonville, FL; or Panama City, FL.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

The Coating Inspector will represent TOTE Services in the oversight of coating procedures and processes during vessel repair, preservation, and construction activities. This individual will coordinate with internal stakeholders, shipyard personnel, and contractors to support the following fundamental duties:

Safety & Compliance Responsibilities:

Promote and uphold TOTE Services’ safety culture through active engagement in all shipyard activities. Identify and address unsafe conditions or behaviors, ensuring all inspection work complies with applicable safety requirements, including confined space entry, access, ventilation, and fall protection. Participate in safety meetings, JHAs, and pre-task planning, while coordinating with shipyard personnel and contractors to support safe execution of work. Exercise stop-work authority when necessary and escalate safety concerns appropriately

Coating Inspection & Execution Oversight:

• Monitor and verify surface preparation activities including abrasive blasting, ultra-high pressure water jetting, power tool cleaning, and hand tool cleaning.

• Assess surface cleanliness, surface profile, and overall readiness prior to coating application.

• Observe coating application processes including mixing, environmental controls, and application methods.

• Verify coating systems are applied in accordance with project specifications and manufacturers requirements

• Monitor and verify wet film thickness (WFT), dry film thickness (DFT), and environmental curing conditions.

• Identify non-conforming work and coordinate corrective actions with responsible parties.

• Ability to visually assess surface conditions, coating application quality, and defects.

• Ability to read and interpret gauges, inspection instruments, and technical documentation.

• Ability to work in varying lighting conditions typical of shipyard and confined space environments.

• Assess underlying steel condition in way of coating work, identifying corrosion, pitting, weld quality, and edge preparation issues that may impact coating performance.

• Provide field-level input on steel condition as it relates to coating scope, repair approach, and sequencing.

Inspection Documentation & Reporting

• Perform routine inspections and maintain daily inspection reports documenting work progress and observations.

• Capture and organize photographic documentation of coating activities and deficiencies.

• Track coating progress, repair areas, and completion status.

• Maintain accurate records to support project closeout and coating warranty documentation.

Communication & Coordination:

• Communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders including shipyard supervision, subcontractors, vessel crews, Port Engineers, Project Managers, and coating manufacturer representatives.

• Provide clear, timely feedback regarding coating execution, deficiencies, and required corrective actions.

• Participate in daily production meetings and coordination discussions.

• Support alignment between Owner expectations, shipyard execution, and coating manufacturer guidance.

• In case of owner supplied coating materials, control and documentation of materials shipped, consumed and returned.

Secondary Duties and Responsibilities:

The Coating Inspector may be required to perform additional duties pertaining to new construction programs or could be asked to support other programs throughout the TOTE organization as necessary.

In support of coating activities, the inspector may also provide field-level input on underlying structural steel condition as it relates to coating performance, repair scope, and execution. This includes identifying corrosion, pitting, weld-related deficiencies, and general steel deterioration, while coordinating with appropriate engineering or class representatives when formal structural evaluation is required.

Authority Selections:

Limited supervision. Work is performed largely on own responsibility after assignment, with some choice of method. Occasionally develops own method.

Judgment Decisions:

Mistakes and errors in judgment are moderate in nature and moderately expensive to correct, usually limited to one department or phase of work.

Problem Identification & Resolution

• Identify risks related to coating execution, sequencing, access, and environmental conditions.

• Provide practical recommendations to maintain compliance with project specifications.

• Support resolution of coating defects, damage, or rework situations during execution

Disclosure of Information Selections:

This position involves regular work with some information of major importance, which if disclosed may be detrimental to the company's interests.

Financial Responsibility Selections:

No authority to commit funds for the organization.

Minimum Qualifications & Skills

• Minimum 5–10 years of experience in marine coatings, corrosion control, or shipyard operations.

• NACE / AMPP Coating Inspector Certification (Level 2) required; higher-level certifications strongly preferred.

• Strong understanding of surface preparation and coating application practices.

• Ability to read and interpret technical specifications and ship drawings, including general arrangement, structural drawings, and basic scantling interpretation.

• Working knowledge of shipboard structural steel systems and scantlings, as they relate to coating performance and repair.

• Ability to identify corrosion, pitting, edge condition, weld deficiencies, and general steel deterioration in support of coating activities.

• Capable of providing practical, field-level recommendations to support coating scope development, repair planning, and execution.

• Ability to recognize when observed conditions require escalation to qualified structural, engineering, or class representatives.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and standard reporting tools.

Education:

• High school diploma or equivalent required.

• Post Secondary education preferred

Physical Requirements of the Position:

This position requires the ability to climb ladders, stair towers, scaffolding, staging, and access structures, as well as enter and work within confined spaces including but not limited to ballast tanks and voids. The role also requires the ability to stand, walk, and work extended hours in active industrial shipyard environments and to lift, carry, and handle materials and equipment as required.

Visual Requirements of the Position:

This position requires the ability to visually assess coating conditions in field environments, including distinguishing subtle variations in color, gloss, and surface condition, as well as identifying defects such as shadows, holidays, and incomplete coverage. The role also requires strong attention to detail and situational awareness in active shipyard environments, including effective use of peripheral vision. In addition, the position involves routine computer-based work, including preparation of reports, review of technical documents, and analysis of inspection data.

Equal Opportunity Employer

TOTE Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Affirmative Action and a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We are committed to a diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin disability, or status as a protected veteran. TOTE Services is a drug-free employer and a participant of the E-Verify Employment Verification Program.