Supplier Quality Engineer / Welding Inspector (Equipment & Machinery)

Location: Las Vegas, NV (Onsite)

Employment Type: Contract-to-Hire

Position Overview

We are supporting a fast-growing energy and infrastructure-focused organization seeking a Supplier Quality Engineer with Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) credentials to support the procurement, inspection, and quality oversight of heavy machinery and custom-fabricated equipment.

This role plays a critical part in ensuring that newly purchased and retrofitted equipment—particularly drilling and mechanical tooling—meets quality, safety, and performance standards before deployment. In addition to on-site equipment and weld inspections, this position will lead supplier quality initiatives, audits, and continuous improvement efforts across a diverse manufacturing supply base.

This is a hands-on, onsite role in Las Vegas, NV, with strong long-term potential.

Key Responsibilities

Supplier Quality & Audits

• Audit and qualify new and existing suppliers based on quality risk, manufacturing capability, and compliance standards
• Conduct on-site supplier audits and document findings in professional reports suitable for internal leadership and external stakeholders
• Develop and maintain supplier scorecards to track quality performance, trends, and corrective actions
• Serve as the primary quality liaison between internal teams and external suppliers

Equipment, Welding & Fabrication Inspection

• Perform inspection and acceptance of heavy machinery, fabricated components, and retrofitted drilling equipment
• Inspect welds and fabrication work in accordance with applicable codes, standards, and project specifications
• Verify conformance to drawings, GD&T requirements, and critical dimensions
• Specify, validate, and approve inspection tools, gauges, and measurement systems

Quality Planning & Process Control

• Define and implement quality requirements including PPAPs, First Article Inspections (FAI), inspection plans, and control plans
• Support production ramp-up, sample inspections, and in-process quality checks
• Apply SPC methods (Cp, Cpk, control charts) to monitor and improve supplier processes
• Analyze supplier KPIs such as DPPM, early-life failures, RMAs, and field issues

Corrective Actions & Continuous Improvement

• Lead root cause analysis and corrective/preventive action (CAPA) activities for supplier quality issues
• Drive resolution of nonconforming material, field failures, and supplier escapes
• Mentor and guide suppliers on strengthening quality systems and manufacturing processes
• Optimize inspection frequency and quality controls based on performance data

Required Qualifications

• Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) – required
• Bachelor’s degree in Quality Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field
• 2+ years of experience in supplier quality, manufacturing quality, or equipment inspection
• Experience working with heavy machinery, fabricated equipment, or industrial tooling
• Strong knowledge of ISO 9001 quality systems and supplier audits
• Proficiency with GD&T, AQL inspection methods, and zero-defect philosophies
• Hands-on experience with inspection planning, FAI, PPAP, and measurement systems analysis (MSA)
• Strong analytical skills using Excel and SPC tools (Minitab or similar preferred)

Preferred Experience

• Equipment retrofits or custom machinery modification projects
• Electrical or mechanical equipment inspection in industrial or energy-related environments
• Exposure to supplier quality management in capital equipment or manufacturing environments