Lead Quality Control Technician

Position Summary

EZARC, Inc. is seeking an experienced Quality Control Lead to oversee quality assurance activities within our structural steel fabrication operations. This position is responsible for ensuring fabricated products meet contract specifications, customer requirements, applicable codes, and EZARC quality standards. The Quality Control Lead serves as a technical resource for production personnel while leading the Quality Control team through inspections, training, and continuous improvement initiatives.

The ideal candidate possesses a strong understanding of structural steel fabrication, welding inspection, blueprint interpretation, dimensional inspection, and the requirements of AWS D1.1 and AISC standards.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Quality Assurance & Inspection

• Perform visual inspections of fabricated structural steel components and welds to verify compliance with contract documents, customer specifications, and EZARC quality standards.
• Conduct 100% weld inspections and verify production fit-up prior to welding.
• Inspect incoming materials, components, and welding consumables to ensure they meet required quality standards.
• Verify dimensional accuracy and fabrication tolerances using measuring tapes, calipers, gauges, squares, and other precision measuring equipment.
• Read and interpret blueprints, shop drawings, weld symbols, specifications, and inspection criteria.
• Document inspection results by maintaining Quality Control reports, inspection logs, and nonconformance records.
• Clearly identify accepted, rejected, or rework-required materials and fabricated components.
• Record inspection data including dimensions, quantities, grades, temperatures, weights, and other required measurements.
• Prepare detailed inspection reports that document findings, corrective actions, recommendations, and required repairs.
• Monitor compliance with approved Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS) and applicable fabrication standards.
• Identify quality issues and communicate them promptly to supervisors and production personnel.
• Stop production activities or place work on hold when quality requirements are not being met.
• Reject or quarantine products, materials, or equipment that fail to meet established specifications.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the daily activities of the Quality Control inspection team.
• Ensure inspections are performed in accordance with AWS D1.1 Structural Welding Code - Steel, AISC standards, engineering drawings, and customer specifications.
• Provide inspection coverage by performing QC Technician responsibilities when staffing shortages or absences occur.
• Serve as the primary technical resource for welders, fitters, and production personnel regarding shop drawings, weld details, specifications, and fabrication requirements.
• Research and clarify drawing discrepancies or unclear fabrication requirements by coordinating with engineering, project management, or customers as needed.
• Facilitate Weld Test.
• Coordinate with third-party quality assurance.
• Schedule and coordinate non-destructive (NDT) testing.
• Evaluate welder and fitter competency through practical testing and qualification prior to employment or assignment.
• Train and mentor Quality Control Inspectors, welders, and fitters on quality standards, inspection methods, welding procedures, blueprint interpretation, and fabrication best practices.
• Promote continuous improvement through coaching, process reviews, and corrective action implementation.
• Collaborate with Production, Engineering, and Management to improve quality, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.

Qualifications

• Technical education in welding, fabrication, or quality assurance or equivalent preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of structural steel fabrication
• Minimum of 2 years of welding inspection experience.
• Previous leadership or supervisory experience preferred.
• Working knowledge of AWS D1.1 Structural Welding Code and AISC standards.
• Ability to read and interpret structural steel shop drawings, blueprints, weld symbols, and specifications.
• Experience using precision measuring instruments including calipers, gauges, measuring tapes, and layout tools.
• Strong understanding of welding procedures, fit-up requirements, fabrication tolerances, and inspection techniques.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and electronic quality documentation systems.

Preferred Certifications

• AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) (preferred)
• OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 (preferred)

Physical Requirements

• Frequently stand, walk, bend, kneel, climb, and lift up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to work in a fabrication shop environment with exposure to heat, noise, dust, and welding operations.
• Must be able to distinguish colors, identify weld defects, and perform detailed visual inspections.

Success in This Role

A successful Quality Control Lead consistently maintains the highest quality standards, develops the capabilities of the inspection and production teams, ensures compliance with AWS and customer requirements, proactively resolves quality concerns, and promotes a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence throughout the fabrication process.