Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Inspection Engineer

🎯 Role Definition

The Inspection Engineer is responsible for planning, executing, and reporting inspection and testing activities to ensure products, components, and installations meet defined quality, safety, and regulatory standards. This role combines hands-on inspection (visual, dimensional, and non-destructive testing) with documentation control, root cause analysis, supplier quality oversight, and cross-functional coordination. The ideal candidate demonstrates expertise in inspection techniques, strong knowledge of industry codes (ASME, API, ISO), experience with inspection tools and software (CMM, calipers, gauges, ultrasonic/radiography), and the ability to drive corrective actions and continuous improvement.

Key SEO phrases: Inspection Engineer, QA/QC Inspection, Non-Destructive Testing (NDT), dimensional inspection, supplier quality, ASME, ISO 9001, FAI, PPAP, inspection plans, acceptance criteria.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

QC/QA Inspector (Field or Shop)
Mechanical Technician or Test Technician with inspection responsibilities
Graduate/Junior Engineer with internships in quality or inspection

Advancement To:

Senior Inspection Engineer / Lead Inspection Engineer
QA/QC Manager or Quality Engineering Manager
Reliability/Assurance Manager or Engineering Manager

Lateral Moves:

Supplier Quality Engineer
NDT Specialist / Level II/III Technologist
Manufacturing Process Engineer

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Develop, review and implement detailed inspection plans, checklists and acceptance criteria for components, assemblies and installations to ensure compliance with engineering drawings, specifications, codes (ASME, API, AWS) and customer contractual requirements.
Perform and document hands-on dimensional inspections using calipers, micrometers, height gauges and coordinate measuring machines (CMM); generate accurate inspection reports with traceable measurement data and non-conformance logs.
Conduct and supervise non-destructive testing (NDT) activities — including ultrasonic testing (UT), radiographic testing (RT), magnetic particle inspection (MPI), dye penetrant testing (DPI/LP), and visual inspection (VT) — ensuring tests are performed to established procedures and certified personnel requirements.
Execute incoming material inspections and first article inspections (FAI) for new parts and assemblies; verify material certifications, heat numbers, traceability and conformity to purchase specifications.
Lead and coordinate field inspections and site acceptance tests (SAT) for mechanical, piping, pressure vessels and structural work; liaise with project managers, contractors and clients to resolve inspection findings in real time.
Create, maintain and control inspection documentation packages (ITPs, NCRs, MTRs, test certificates, calibration records) and ensure timely uploading to document control systems (e.g., SAP, PLM, QMS).
Plan and perform supplier audits and vendor assessments focused on process capability, inspection methods, calibration practices and corrective action effectiveness; drive supplier improvement plans and monitor progress.
Identify, document and investigate non-conformances using structured problem-solving tools (8D, root cause analysis, fishbone diagrams); propose and follow through on corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) and verify effectiveness.
Collaborate with engineering, production and procurement teams to review engineering change requests (ECRs), drawings and specifications for inspector concerns, manufacturability and testability before release.
Develop and maintain inspection procedures, work instructions and acceptance criteria for recurring product families; ensure alignment with ISO 9001, API, ASME, and client-specific standards.
Schedule, coordinate and witness factory acceptance tests (FAT), pressure tests, hydrostatic tests and functional tests; prepare witness reports and coordinate client or third-party inspection attendance.
Ensure all inspection equipment and gauges are calibrated, traceable and maintained per calibration schedules; manage calibration providers and calibration records.
Perform weld inspection activities: verify weld joint preparation, filler materials, welder qualifications, welding procedure specifications (WPS/PQR) and conduct pre- and post-weld visual or NDT inspections as required.
Prepare comprehensive inspection reports, test summaries and final inspection certificates for customer delivery packages and regulatory submissions.
Use inspection and quality data to develop metrics and dashboards (inspection pass/fail rates, NCR trends, supplier defect rates) to inform management decisions and continuous improvement efforts.
Support manufacturing in-process inspection activities, provide real-time feedback to operators and engineers, and help implement containment actions to prevent shipment of non-conforming parts.
Train and mentor junior inspectors, technicians and apprentices on inspection techniques, safety practices and documentation expectations and verify their competency through practical assessments.
Participate in design reviews and risk assessments (FMEAs, PHA) to represent inspection constraints, testability and verification requirements.
Interface with regulatory bodies and certification agencies during inspections and audits; ensure readiness for third-party inspections and compliance certifications.
Maintain a safe working environment by ensuring inspections are executed according to site HSE rules and by reporting hazards, near-misses and incidents according to company policy.
Coordinate rework, repair and disposition activities for rejected materials; define rework acceptance criteria and inspect post-repair quality to confirm compliance.
Continuously review and recommend process improvements to reduce inspection cycle time, defect rates and inspection costs while maintaining quality and compliance standards.

Secondary Functions

Support quality management system (QMS) internal audits and participate in external audits to provide inspection records and demonstrate process compliance.
Assist in the creation and maintenance of inspection training materials, competency matrices and certification tracking for inspection personnel.
Contribute to cost reduction projects by identifying inspection simplification opportunities and leveraging risk-based inspection techniques.
Participate in cross-functional project teams to ensure inspection requirements are integrated into project schedules and procurement lead times.
Provide technical support to sales and bid teams by estimating inspection effort, quoting test witness scope and defining inspection deliverables in proposals.
Maintain relationships with third-party inspection agencies and ensure scope, qualifications and reporting meet contractual obligations.
Manage spare and critical inspection tool inventory, order replacements and coordinate tool lifecycle management.
Support incident investigations and warranty claims by providing inspection records, failure analysis assistance and field data collection.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proficiency in non-destructive testing (NDT) methods: UT, RT, MPI, DPI, VT and familiarity with acceptance criteria for each method.
Strong dimensional inspection skills with hands-on experience using CMMs, micrometers, calipers, height gauges and optical comparators.
In-depth knowledge of codes and standards such as ASME (Section VIII), API, AWS, ISO 9001 and client-specific specifications.
Experience preparing and executing Inspection and Test Plans (ITPs), First Article Inspections (FAI), PPAP submissions and FAT/SAT protocols.
Skilled in interpreting engineering drawings, GD&T, tolerancing, BOMs and material specifications.
Proficient with quality management and enterprise systems (e.g., SAP QM, Maximo, PLM, or other QMS tools) and Microsoft Office (Excel for data analysis).
Competence in root cause analysis techniques (8D, 5 Whys) and CAPA implementation processes.
Familiarity with calibration program management and maintaining traceability of measurement equipment to national standards.
Experience conducting supplier quality audits and developing supplier corrective action plans (SCAR).
Ability to capture and present inspection data in dashboards; familiarity with basic statistical process control (SPC) tools.

Soft Skills

Strong attention to detail and methodical approach to documentation and inspections.
Effective verbal and written communication skills for clear inspection reports and interfacing with clients, vendors and cross-functional teams.
Problem-solving and analytical mindset with the ability to prioritize and make data-driven decisions.
Ability to work independently in the field and collaboratively within multidisciplinary project teams.
Time management and organizational skills to manage multiple inspection scopes and tight delivery schedules.
Adaptability to site environments, occasional travel to vendor facilities and client sites.
Leadership and coaching skills to mentor junior inspectors and drive adherence to quality standards.
Customer-focused approach with a professional demeanor during client and third-party interactions.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Materials Science, Metallurgical Engineering or related technical discipline; or equivalent technical diploma with substantial inspection experience.

Preferred Education:

B.S. or higher in Engineering with additional certification in Quality, NDT Level II/III, or relevant professional certifications (ASNT, AWS CWI, ISO Lead Auditor).

Relevant Fields of Study:

Mechanical Engineering
Materials Science / Metallurgy
Manufacturing or Industrial Engineering
Quality Engineering / Assurance

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3 – 8+ years of progressive experience in inspection, QA/QC, manufacturing or field inspection roles. Experience requirements vary by industry (manufacturing, oil & gas, power generation, construction).

Preferred:

5+ years in a related inspection engineering role with hands-on NDT exposure and supplier audit experience.
Experience with project-based inspection in EPC or fabrication shop environments and familiarity with client inspection requirements and regulatory bodies.