Senior Metallurgist / Welding Inspector
Listing checked September 29, 2026 · pay as published by Micro1
Overview
micro1 seeks experienced Senior Metallurgists and Welding Inspectors to join a project for a customer in advanced manufacturing and materials engineering. Your main task is to provide expert input that helps train next-generation AI systems. You will evaluate microstructures, heat treatment, welds, coatings, and additive manufacturing builds. No AI background is needed; your domain knowledge is what counts.
What You'll Do7
- 1Interpret metallographic microstructures to judge material acceptability and conformance to standards.
- 2Analyze heat treatment processes and perform acceptance reviews per AMS 2750, ASTM E112, and related US specs.
- 3Evaluate weld quality using macro etch and apply CWI acceptance criteria to real-world case studies.
- 4Conduct coating inspections following NACE/AMPP and SSPC protocols to ensure surface integrity.
- 5Review and disposition LPBF additive manufacturing defects based on build and cross-sectional data.
- 6Provide clear written and verbal feedback on accept/reject decisions to support AI model training.
- 7Apply NADCAP, AWS, ASTM, and AMS standards to metal samples, weldments, coatings, and AM builds.
Requirements7
- 1At least 8 years of hands-on experience making high-stakes accept/reject calls on micrographs, weld macros, fracture surfaces, coatings, or LPBF builds.
- 2Advanced knowledge of US and international standards including ASTM, AMS, AWS, NADCAP, NACE/AMPP, and SSPC.
- 3Current or prior AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) credential, or equivalent metallurgical certification.
- 4Proven experience in metallographic analysis, heat treatment evaluation, weld inspection, and industrial coating assessment.
- 5Familiarity with additive manufacturing processes, especially laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) and associated defect mechanisms.
- 6Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with a keen eye for detail and the ability to explain technical reasoning clearly.
- 7Experience in remote or digital project collaboration, with strong self-direction and accountability for deliverables.
Who Should Apply
This role suits a seasoned metallurgist or welding inspector with at least 8 years of hands-on experience making accept/reject decisions on micrographs, weld macros, coatings, or LPBF builds. You should hold a CWI credential or equivalent and know ASTM, AMS, AWS, NADCAP, NACE/AMPP, and SSPC standards inside out. The ideal candidate also has direct exposure to additive manufacturing defect analysis. If you lack recent, practical experience with these specific standards or have never made high-stakes calls on real samples, this role is not a good fit. Candidates often get rejected when they list certifications without showing how they applied them to actual accept/reject decisions, or when they cannot clearly explain their technical reasoning in writing.
Salary Insight
The compensation for this contract role is $80 to $130 per hour, as stated in the job posting.
Pay and demand for Quality Control & Inspection roles
AggregatedTypical pay
$75/hour
This role
$80–$130/hr
Most Quality Control & Inspection roles pay $70–$91 per hour. This role's pay sits above that range.
Based on 16 similar roles that publish pay · 2 publish only a top rate; those count at the rate they gave
Rates shown per hour. Yearly and monthly pay converted; one-time fees and non-USD pay are not included.
- Live similar roles
- 17
- Listed in last 30 days
- 12
- Remote
- 100%
Hiring most right now: micro1 (12) · AfterQuery (2) · SME Careers (2)
Most requested skills · share of roles
- FreeCAD24%
- mechanical engineering18%
- cad18%
- ai training12%
Figures from Quality Control & Inspection roles live on NearSkill when this page loaded. A role can close before you apply, so check the listing itself.
Compare your resume against these rolesLocation
Compensation
$80–130/hr
Required Skills
Application Tip
In your application, highlight specific examples where you made accept/reject decisions on micrographs, weld macros, or LPBF builds, and name the exact standards you applied (e.g., AMS 2750, ASTM E112, AWS D1.1). Quantify your experience with numbers, such as 'reviewed 500+ weld macros' or 'dispositioned 200+ LPBF defects,' to demonstrate depth and raise your fit score.
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