The Director of Quality – Fabricated Components and Welded Assemblies is responsible for leading the quality assurance and quality control functions across all fabrication and welding activities. This senior role ensures that fabricated components, structural modules, and welded assemblies meet or exceed applicable codes, standards, and customer requirements. The director establishes quality strategies, oversees inspection teams, and drives continuous improvement initiatives to enhance product integrity, reduce rework, and maintain regulatory compliance.
Lead and manage the quality assurance and quality control programs for all structural and mechanical fabricated components and welded assemblies.
Develop and implement inspection plans, quality standards, and documentation protocols aligned with ASME, AWS, ISO, and project-specific requirements.
Ensure compliance with customer specifications, classification society rules (e.g., ABS, DNV, BV), and regulatory codes.
Oversee the qualification and certification of welders, procedures (WPS/PQR), and inspection personnel (e.g., NDT technicians).
Direct internal and external audits, manage non-conformance reporting (NCR), root cause analysis (RCA), and corrective/preventive actions (CAPA).
Supervise teams conducting visual inspections, dimensional verification, NDT (VT, RT, UT, MT, PT), and final acceptance tests.
Lead the development and maintenance of quality documentation including ITPs, weld maps, test reports, traceability records, and project dossiers.
Implement quality performance metrics (e.g., weld reject rates, rework cost, inspection backlog) and drive continuous improvement.
Collaborate with engineering, production, and project management to ensure effective integration of quality requirements into build plans.
Act as the primary point of contact with clients, third-party inspectors, and classification societies during quality audits and inspections.
Mentor quality engineers, inspectors, and supervisors to build organizational capability and compliance culture.
Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Welding Engineering, Metallurgy, or a related technical field.
12+ years of experience in quality management within a fabrication, shipbuilding, or heavy industrial manufacturing environment.
Strong knowledge of welding codes (AWS D1.1, ASME Section IX), fabrication standards, and NDT techniques.
Certified Welding Inspector (CWI/AWS), CSWIP, or equivalent.
Experience with ISO 9001 QMS implementation and audit practices.
Familiarity with classification society requirements (ABS, DNV, LR, BV) and project-specific QA/QC standards.
Excellent problem-solving, documentation, and team leadership skills.
Proficient in quality management tools and software for documentation and analytics.
Additional certifications such as NDT Level II/III (ASNT or ISO 9712), Six Sigma, or Lean Quality Systems.
Experience in offshore platform fabrication, pressure vessel manufacturing, or naval shipbuilding QA.
Working knowledge of digital quality systems, inspection automation, or advanced manufacturing QA.
Office and fabrication/shop floor environment with frequent walkdowns, inspections, and field activities.
Use of PPE and compliance with safety protocols required during site visits and inspections.
May require travel to subcontractor sites, third-party labs, or client inspection events.