JOB DESCRIPTION – STRUCTURAL STEEL QUALITY ENGINEER / MANAGER

Department / Function: Structural Steel – Quality Assurance & Quality Control
Cadre: Applicable across all cadres
Reports To: Structural Steel Quality Manager / Project Quality Head / Project Head / Functional Head – Quality, as applicable

1. Job Purpose

To establish, implement, monitor and manage Quality Assurance and Quality Control processes for structural steel works, ensuring compliance with approved engineering drawings, technical specifications, fabrication standards, welding procedures, inspection and test plans, applicable codes and contractual requirements.

The role is responsible for ensuring quality at all stages of structural steel operations, including raw material inspection, fabrication, fit-up, welding, dimensional inspection, non-destructive testing, surface preparation, protective coating, transportation, site erection and final acceptance. The objective is to achieve defect-free execution, minimise rework, ensure statutory and technical compliance, and deliver structural steel works in accordance with project quality and client requirements.

2. Key Accountabilities

A. Structural Steel Quality Planning and Management System

- Develop, implement and monitor project-specific Quality Assurance Plans, Inspection and Test Plans (ITPs), quality procedures and inspection checklists for structural steel works.
- Ensure implementation of the project Quality Management System in accordance with organisational policies, contractual requirements and applicable ISO standards.
- Review contract documents, technical specifications, approved structural drawings, fabrication drawings and applicable quality requirements.
- Establish inspection stages, acceptance criteria, testing requirements and documentation procedures for fabrication and erection activities.
- Ensure quality requirements are communicated to fabrication teams, erection teams, subcontractors, vendors and other stakeholders.
- Coordinate with project quality teams to integrate structural steel quality requirements with overall project quality objectives.
- Monitor implementation of quality procedures and initiate corrective actions wherever deviations are identified.

B. Engineering Drawings and Technical Document Review

- Review structural design drawings, General Arrangement (GA) drawings, shop drawings, fabrication drawings and erection drawings from a quality perspective.
- Verify compliance of fabrication and erection activities with approved drawings, specifications and engineering requirements.
- Identify drawing discrepancies, dimensional inconsistencies, connection-related issues and constructability concerns.
- Coordinate with design, detailing, engineering and project execution teams for resolution of technical issues.
- Review welding details, connection details, bolt specifications, material grades, tolerances and fabrication requirements.
- Ensure approved revisions and technical instructions are communicated to fabrication and site teams.
- Maintain control and traceability of approved drawings, revisions and technical documents.

C. Raw Material Inspection and Quality Control

- Ensure inspection and verification of incoming structural steel materials before acceptance for fabrication.
- Verify material grades, dimensions, thickness, identification markings and compliance with approved specifications.
- Inspect materials such as structural steel plates, beams, columns, channels, angles, hollow sections, pipes, bolts, nuts, washers, welding consumables and associated accessories.
- Verify Material Test Certificates (MTCs), mill certificates, test reports and material traceability records.
- Ensure material identification and traceability are maintained throughout storage, cutting, fabrication and erection.
- Coordinate material testing and third-party inspection wherever required.
- Ensure proper storage, segregation, handling and preservation of structural steel materials and welding consumables.
- Identify non-conforming materials and coordinate rejection, replacement or corrective action.

D. Fabrication Quality Inspection

- Monitor and inspect structural steel fabrication activities in accordance with approved fabrication drawings, specifications and quality procedures.
- Ensure inspection of cutting, marking, edge preparation, drilling, machining, fit-up, assembly and fabrication processes.
- Verify dimensional accuracy, alignment, squareness, straightness, camber, holes, tolerances and member geometry.
- Ensure fabricated components comply with approved drawings and applicable fabrication standards.
- Inspect built-up sections, trusses, girders, columns, beams, bracings, platforms, stairs, handrails and other structural steel components.
- Ensure proper identification, marking and traceability of fabricated members.
- Monitor fabrication workmanship and identify deviations requiring correction before dispatch.
- Ensure inspection records and fabrication quality reports are maintained for each relevant stage.

E. Welding Quality Assurance and Control

- Ensure welding activities comply with approved welding procedures, technical specifications and applicable codes.
- Review and verify Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS) and Procedure Qualification Records (PQR), wherever applicable.
- Verify welder qualifications, certification validity and suitability for the welding processes and positions involved.
- Monitor welding consumable control, storage, baking, handling and issue procedures.
- Inspect joint preparation, fit-up, root gap, alignment, preheating and inter-pass temperature requirements.
- Monitor welding workmanship, welding parameters and compliance with approved procedures.
- Coordinate visual inspection and Non-Destructive Testing (NDT), including ultrasonic testing (UT), radiographic testing (RT), magnetic particle testing (MPT/MT) and liquid penetrant testing (LPT/PT), as applicable.
- Ensure defects such as cracks, porosity, undercut, incomplete fusion and lack of penetration are identified and rectified.
- Monitor repair welding and ensure re-inspection and acceptance after rectification.
- Maintain welding inspection records, welder qualification records, WPS/PQR documents and NDT reports.

F. Bolting and Structural Connections

- Ensure quality inspection of bolted and welded structural connections.
- Verify bolt grades, sizes, material certificates and compliance with approved specifications.
- Monitor bolt installation, tightening sequences and specified torque or tension requirements.
- Ensure use of approved tightening methods and calibrated tools wherever required.
- Inspect connection plates, gusset plates, splice connections, base plates, anchor bolts and associated components.
- Verify alignment, fit-up, bolt-hole matching and connection dimensions.
- Coordinate inspection and approval of critical structural connections before acceptance.




- Maintain inspection and test records for bolted and welded connections.

G. Dimensional Inspection and Geometrical Accuracy

- Ensure dimensional inspection of fabricated structural steel members and assemblies.
- Verify member lengths, widths, thicknesses, straightness, squareness, alignment and connection dimensions.
- Ensure compliance with approved fabrication and erection tolerances.
- Coordinate survey and dimensional checks for critical members and assemblies.
- Identify dimensional deviations and coordinate corrective action with fabrication and engineering teams.
- Ensure inspection of trial assemblies and pre-assembly checks wherever required.
- Maintain dimensional inspection reports and acceptance records.

H. Surface Preparation and Protective Coating Quality

- Monitor surface preparation activities, including cleaning, degreasing, abrasive blasting and other approved preparation methods.
- Verify surface cleanliness, surface profile and preparation grade against approved specifications.
- Inspect primer, intermediate and final coating applications.
- Verify coating material approvals, batch details, shelf life, mixing ratios and application procedures.
- Monitor environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity and dew point during coating operations, as required.
- Verify wet film thickness (WFT), dry film thickness (DFT), coating uniformity, adhesion and curing requirements.
- Inspect galvanising, fireproofing or other protective treatment systems wherever applicable.
- Identify coating defects, damages and non-conformities and ensure timely rectification.
- Maintain surface preparation and coating inspection records.

I. Non-Destructive Testing and Special Inspections

- Prepare and monitor NDT inspection requirements in accordance with approved ITPs and project specifications.
- Coordinate with qualified NDT personnel and third-party inspection agencies.
- Ensure NDT personnel qualifications and equipment calibration are valid and appropriate.
- Review NDT reports and verify compliance with specified acceptance criteria.
- Ensure traceability of test results to relevant weld numbers, joints and structural members.
- Coordinate additional testing wherever required due to defects, repairs or client requirements.
- Ensure timely closure of NDT observations and documentation of accepted results.

J. Site Erection and Installation Quality

- Monitor and inspect structural steel erection activities at site in accordance with approved erection drawings, method statements and specifications.
- Verify identification, condition and dimensional conformity of structural steel members received at site.
- Inspect erection alignment, levels, plumbness, positioning and connection fit-up.
- Ensure quality of bolted and welded site connections.
- Inspect base plates, anchor bolts, grouting, bracing and structural stability-related interfaces from a quality perspective.
- Coordinate with survey, engineering and erection teams for dimensional verification and alignment checks.
- Monitor repair of damaged members and protective coating during transportation and erection.
- Ensure inspection approvals are obtained before proceeding with subsequent construction activities.
- Maintain erection inspection records and site quality documentation.

K. Quality Non-Conformity and Corrective Action Management

- Identify and document quality deviations, defects and non-conformities during material inspection, fabrication, welding, coating and erection.
- Raise and monitor Non-Conformance Reports (NCRs), observations and corrective action requests, as applicable.
- Coordinate with fabrication, erection and engineering teams to identify root causes of quality issues.
- Ensure implementation of corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) within agreed timelines.
- Monitor repeat defects and identify systemic quality issues requiring process improvement.
- Verify effectiveness of corrective actions and ensure formal closure of quality observations.
- Ensure defective materials, fabricated components and non-conforming work are appropriately identified and controlled.
- Minimise rework and ensure quality issues are resolved before dispatch, erection or final acceptance.

L. Client, Consultant and Third-Party Inspection Coordination

- Coordinate with clients, consultants, inspection agencies and third-party inspectors on structural steel quality matters.
- Arrange and participate in material inspections, fabrication inspections, welding inspections, NDT, coating inspections and site erection inspections.
- Coordinate inspection schedules and ensure readiness of materials, documents and work fronts.
- Ensure timely submission and approval of inspection requests, test reports and quality documentation.
- Address client and consultant observations and ensure closure within agreed timelines.
- Coordinate factory inspections and Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT), wherever applicable.
- Maintain effective communication with all stakeholders to ensure compliance with project quality requirements.

M. Subcontractor and Vendor Quality Management

- Ensure structural steel fabricators, erection agencies, coating contractors and vendors comply with approved quality plans, specifications and inspection requirements.
- Monitor quality performance of fabrication shops and site erection subcontractors.
- Assess adequacy of fabrication facilities, inspection arrangements, welding resources and quality control procedures, wherever required.
- Ensure subcontractors deploy qualified welders, inspectors and trained personnel.
- Conduct periodic quality reviews and monitor closure of observations.
- Coordinate with vendors for material traceability, test certificates and quality documentation.
- Promote quality awareness and accountability among fabrication and erection teams.

N. Quality Audits and Compliance

- Plan and coordinate internal, external, client and consultant quality audits relating to structural steel works.
- Ensure compliance with organisational quality systems, project quality plans and applicable ISO standards.
- Verify implementation of approved procedures, WPS/PQR, welder qualifications, material traceability and inspection requirements.
- Identify audit observations and coordinate timely corrective action and closure.
- Ensure compliance with applicable structural steel, welding, fabrication, NDT and coating standards.
- Maintain audit records, compliance reports and supporting documentation.
- Promote continuous improvement in fabrication and erection quality practices.

O. Quality Documentation and MIS





- Maintain structural steel quality documentation, including approved drawings, specifications, quality plans, ITPs and method statements.
- Maintain material inspection reports, MTCs, fabrication inspection reports and dimensional inspection records.
- Maintain WPS/PQR, welder qualification records, welding inspection reports and NDT reports.
- Maintain surface preparation, coating inspection and DFT records.
- Maintain erection inspection reports, NCRs, corrective action records and audit reports.
- Prepare daily, weekly and monthly quality reports and MIS.
- Monitor inspection status, pending approvals, quality observations and closure status.
- Ensure documentation is updated, traceable and available for client reviews, audits and project handover.

P. Handover and Close-out

- Ensure structural steel fabrication and erection works are inspected, tested and approved before final acceptance.
- Coordinate closure of outstanding quality observations and non-conformities.
- Verify completion of material traceability records, welding documentation, NDT reports and coating inspection records.
- Ensure as-built drawings, inspection reports, test certificates and quality dossiers are compiled.
- Coordinate final inspections with clients, consultants and third-party agencies.
- Ensure timely completion of quality-related close-out activities and handover of structural steel works.

Q. Team Management and Continuous Improvement

- Guide and supervise structural steel quality engineers, inspectors, welding inspectors and other quality personnel.
- Allocate responsibilities and ensure adequate quality coverage across fabrication, coating and erection work fronts.
- Provide technical guidance on inspection procedures, welding quality, NDT, dimensional inspection and coating requirements.
- Identify training and development requirements and strengthen the technical capabilities of the quality team.
- Promote quality awareness, accountability and a right-first-time approach among execution teams and subcontractors.
- Identify opportunities to improve fabrication processes, inspection effectiveness and reduce rework.
- Implement lessons learnt and best practices across projects.

3. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

- Compliance with approved structural steel Quality Plans, ITPs and technical specifications.
- First-time acceptance rate of material, fabrication, welding, coating and erection inspections.
- Reduction in fabrication defects, welding defects, coating defects and rework.
- Compliance with approved WPS/PQR and welder qualification requirements.
- Acceptance rate of NDT results and timely closure of repair observations.
- Dimensional accuracy and compliance with fabrication and erection tolerances.
- Material traceability and documentation compliance.
- Compliance with surface preparation and protective coating specifications.
- Timely completion and approval of client, consultant and third-party inspections.
- Timely closure of NCRs, audit observations and corrective actions.
- Quality performance of fabrication and erection subcontractors.
- Accuracy and completeness of quality documentation and MIS.
- Timely completion of quality dossiers and project handover requirements.
- Effective deployment and performance of the structural steel quality team.

4. Qualifications

- Full time Engineering Graduate or Diploma in Mechanical or Civil Engineering.
- Additional qualifications or certifications in Welding Technology, Welding Inspection, NDT, Structural Steel Fabrication, QA/QC or Quality Management will be an added advantage.
- Certifications such as CSWIP, AWS-CWI, NDT Level II/III or equivalent may be advantageous depending on the assigned responsibilities.
- Knowledge of applicable structural steel fabrication, welding, inspection, testing and coating standards.
- Knowledge of ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems will be an advantage.

5. Experience

- Relevant experience in Structural Steel Quality Assurance and Quality Control in building, industrial, infrastructure, high-rise, power, process plant, warehouse, airport or other EPC projects.
- Exposure to structural steel fabrication, welding inspection, dimensional inspection, NDT, surface preparation, protective coating and site erection quality.
- Experience in reviewing fabrication drawings, technical specifications, welding procedures, inspection and test plans and quality documentation.
- Exposure to client/consultant inspections, third-party inspection, NCR management, audits and project handover.
- Experience in managing fabrication quality teams, erection subcontractors and multiple inspection work fronts, wherever applicable.
- The scope of responsibility, technical authority, independent ownership and team management shall be commensurate with the cadre and project requirements.

6. Functional / Technical Competencies

- Structural steel Quality Assurance and Quality Control.
- Structural steel drawings, fabrication drawings and technical specifications.
- Structural steel material grades, identification and traceability.
- Fabrication processes, dimensional inspection and tolerances.
- Welding processes and welding quality control.
- WPS, PQR and welder qualification requirements.
- Welding inspection and defect identification.
- NDT methods – UT, RT, MT/MPT and PT/LPT.
- Bolt inspection, tightening and structural connections.
- Surface preparation, abrasive blasting and protective coating inspection.
- DFT, WFT, coating adhesion and environmental condition checks.
- Structural steel erection inspection and dimensional verification.
- Quality plans, ITPs, checklists and method statements.
- NCR management, root cause analysis and CAPA.
- ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems and quality audits.
- Material test certificates, inspection reports and quality dossiers.
- Client, consultant and third-party inspection coordination.
- MS Office and relevant quality documentation tools.

7. Behavioural Competencies

- Teamwork and collaboration.
- Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ownership and accountability.
- Attention to detail and accuracy.
- Analytical thinking and problem-solving ability.
- Planning, organising and time management.
- Decision-making and influencing skills.
- Positive attitude and result orientation.
- Leadership and team development.
- Stakeholder management.
- Adaptability and responsiveness.
- Commitment to quality, safety and process compliance.
- Continuous improvement orientation.

8. Role Applicability

This JD is applicable across all cadres involved in Structural Steel Quality Assurance and Quality Control, including material inspection, fabrication quality, welding inspection, NDT coordination, dimensional inspection, surface preparation, protective coating, site erection quality, quality audits and project handover. The scope of responsibility, technical specialisation, decision-making authority, independent ownership and team management shall vary according to the cadre, project size and organisational requirements.

📌 RCF Quality-Structural Steel (India)
🏢 Larsen and Toubro
📍 India