New

Piping & Structural Steel Vendor Surveillance QA Inspector

Tesla Motors, Inc.
paid holidays, flex time, 401(k)
United States, Texas, Corpus Christi
3605 South Padre Island Drive (Show on map)
Aug 13, 2026
What to Expect The Piping & Structural Steel Vendor Surveillance QA Inspector ensures shop-fabricated piping and structural steel from suppliers meets design intent, purchase orders, codes, regulations, and Tesla standards before shipment and site delivery. You will perform onsite supplier surveillance-prequalification, periodic, and for-cause-including ITP/hold-point inspection, documentation validation, witness of fabrication, welding, NDE, and testing, nonconformance management, and supplier performance feedback to Procurement, Engineering, and Quality. This role requires extensive domestic and/or international travel; a valid passport (or ability to obtain one) and ability to obtain visas are required. What You'll Do Conduct supplier surveillance at fabrication shops (pre-qualification, periodic, and for-cause) to verify compliance with contracts, specs, drawings, ITPs, codes, and Tesla quality requirements for shop-fabricated piping (spools, pipe supports, manifolds) and structural steel (steel structures, platforms, pipe racks, modules, and miscellaneous metals) Review and validate vendor documentation packages, including ITPs, material certifications/MTRs, heat traceability, WPS/PQR and welder qualifications, weld maps/logs, NDE reports, dimensional/as-built records, coating/galvanizing records, and pressure test packages (as applicable); hold release when documentation is incomplete or nonconforming Witness and verify critical fabrication, inspection, and test activities at hold/witness points (material verification, fit-up, weld visual, dimensional checks, NDE, PWHT, hydrostatic/pneumatic tests, coating inspection, and final assembly) to confirm acceptance criteria are met Identify, document, and track nonconformances; collaborate with suppliers on corrective actions and verify effective closure before shipment or final acceptance Prepare clear, actionable surveillance and inspection reports with findings, risk assessment, and recommended disposition; communicate results to Procurement, Engineering, Quality, and project stakeholders to support sourcing and release decisions Verify pre-shipment readiness, including preservation, end caps/protection, packing, piece marking/tagging, and shipping documentation, prior to release from the vendor Monitor supplier quality trends and feed performance data into continuous improvement efforts and the vendor quality database What You'll Bring Current AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) certification preferred, or equivalent welding/fabrication inspection qualification with demonstrated piping and structural steel shop experience; working familiarity with supplier quality systems (e.g., ISO 9001) Minimum of 8 years' inspection/audit experience on large-scale industrial or energy projects, including at least 3 years in vendor surveillance / source inspection of shop-fabricated piping and/or structural steel Ability to read and interpret POs, piping and structural drawings, specs, ITPs, weld procedures, and fabrication packages; strong written and verbal communication with suppliers and cross-functional teams Working knowledge of applicable codes and standards (e.g., ASME B31.x, ASME Section IX, AWS D1.1, AISC; ASTM material standards) and proficiency with inspection methods and tools appropriate to shop surveillance (weld visual and dimensional inspection, fit-up/hi-lo, weld gauges, material identification, coating inspection as applicable); familiarity with NDE methods and documentation (RT, UT, MT, PT) Demonstrated ability to work independently at supplier shops, exercise sound release/hold judgment, investigate quality issues, and drive corrective action to closure Willingness and ability to travel extensively (domestic and/or international), often on short notice, with a valid passport or ability to obtain passport and required visas Solid understanding of quality management principles across fabrication, weld/NDE, test, shipment, and project turnover; ability to perform in a high-performance, cross-functional environment with tight timelines Compensation and Benefits Benefits Along with competitive pay, as a full-time Tesla employee, you are eligible for the following benefits at day 1 of hire: Medical plans > plan options with $0 payroll deduction Family-building, fertility, adoption and surrogacy benefits Dental (including orthodontic coverage) and vision plans, both have options with a $0 paycheck contribution Company Paid (Health Savings Accounts) HSA Contribution when enrolled in the High-Deductible medical plan with HSA Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) 401(k) with employer match, Employee Stock Purchase Plans, and other financial benefits Company paid Basic Life, AD&D Short-term and long-term disability insurance (90 day waiting period) Employee Assistance Program Sick and Vacation time (Flex time for salary positions, Accrued hours for Hourly positions), and Paid Holidays Back-up childcare and parenting support resources Voluntary benefits to include: critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident insurance, theft & legal services, and pet insurance Weight Loss and Tobacco Cessation Programs Tesla Babies program Commuter benefits Employee discounts and perks program