Inspector

Actalent
San Diego, CA

Field Inspector – Expansion Joints

About the Company

This organization is a global engineering and manufacturing partner specializing in custom-engineered solutions for demanding industrial environments. With deep expertise in critical flow and pressure-containing components, it supports customers in the oil and gas, petrochemical, energy, and heavy industrial sectors through the full lifecycle of their equipment—from design and fabrication to installation, inspection, repair, and ongoing service. The company is recognized for its hands-on technical approach, strong field presence, and commitment to safety, quality, and innovation in some of the world’s most challenging operating conditions.

Position Overview

The Field Inspector – Expansion Joints is a full-time role within the Expansion Joint Division, responsible for performing on-site inspections of expansion joints used in refineries and related industrial facilities. This position blends field-based work, technical assessment, and detailed reporting to ensure that expansion joint systems meet design intent, quality standards, and safety requirements in oil and gas and petrochemical applications. The ideal candidate brings a strong background in industrial field inspection, welding and fabrication quality, and refinery environments, along with the ability to communicate clearly with both client personnel and internal engineering teams.

Key Responsibilities
  • Perform on-site inspections of expansion joints in refineries and other industrial facilities to verify compliance with design, safety, and quality requirements.
  • Conduct visual inspections and quality control checks of welded parts and fabricated components associated with expansion joint assemblies.
  • Review and interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, specifications, and technical documentation to confirm proper installation and repair work.
  • Evaluate expansion joint designs and field installations, identifying potential deficiencies, risks, or non-conformances.
  • Coordinate with site personnel to safely access equipment, schedule inspections, and understand operational constraints.
  • Communicate inspection findings clearly and professionally to refinery staff, contractors, and internal stakeholders, engaging the appropriate contacts on-site.
  • Prepare comprehensive inspection reports, including written findings, photographs, and recommendations, using Microsoft Word and Excel.
  • Maintain accurate inspection records, engineering documentation, and quality assurance files for each site visit.
  • Support field repairs and participate in specialty welding-related inspections when applicable to expansion joint projects.
  • Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives related to inspection procedures and quality control practices.
  • Travel to domestic client sites regularly, with the potential for international travel as the role develops.
  • Collaborate closely with other inspectors, engineers, and fabrication teams to ensure consistent quality standards across all projects.
Essential Qualifications & Skills
  • 3–5 years of experience as a Field Inspector; candidates with approximately 2 years of strong, directly relevant experience may be considered.
  • background in construction, oil and gas, or heavy industrial environments, with experience working in or around refineries.
  • Hands-on experience conducting on-site inspections and supporting field repairs.
  • Working knowledge of expansion joint design and installation in industrial applications.
  • Understanding of welding and fabrication processes and their impact on quality and structural integrity.
  • Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, and technical specifications.
  • Strong documentation and report-writing skills, with proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel.
  • High attention to detail, sound judgment, and strong problem-solving capabilities.
  • Experience in quality control, quality assurance, and visual inspection of welded parts and assemblies.
  • Effective verbal and written communication skills for interaction with client personnel and internal teams.
  • Certification or formal training in field inspection, welding inspection, or quality inspection techniques.
Additional Skills & Preferred Experience
  • Experience in oil and gas or petrochemical industries, particularly refinery operations.
  • Familiarity with refinery safety protocols, site access procedures, and communication hierarchies.
  • background in construction quality inspection or engineering documentation.
  • Experience inspecting welded components, specialty welding services, or similar technical field work.
  • Ability to work independently in the field while maintaining close collaboration with office-based engineering and fabrication teams.
  • Willingness to participate in ongoing training and mentoring to deepen expertise in expansion joints and critical industrial equipment.
Work Environment & Travel

This role offers a balanced mix of field, office, and remote work. Travel to client refinery and industrial sites is expected approximately 30–50% of the time, initially within the U.S., with potential international travel in the future. Field work occurs in active refinery and industrial environments alongside other inspectors and site personnel.

When not traveling, work is split between a small, collaborative office in Sorrento Valley and remote work from home. The office culture is close-knit, professional, and supportive, with a strong emphasis on teamwork, technical excellence, and safety. Extensive training and mentoring are provided during the first 6–9 months, during which time the role requires more frequent in-office presence (ideally 4–5 days per week). After the training period, the position offers increased flexibility, with an expectation of 1–2 days per week in the office and the remainder spent working remotely or on-site.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of San Diego, CA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $36.00 - $52.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
Medical, dental & vision
Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
Short and long-term disability
Health Spending Account (HSA)
Transportation benefits
Employee Assistance Program
Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a hybrid position in San Diego,CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on May 6, 2026.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

At Actalent, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I is embedded into our culture through:

  • Hiring diverse talent
  • Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection
  • Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes
  • Ensuring growth opportunities for our people

Actalent is an equal opportunity employer.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services. For more than 40 years, we’ve helped visionary companies advance their goals. Headquartered in the United States, our teams span 150 offices across North America, EMEA, and APAC—with four delivery centers in India led by 1,000+ extraordinary employees who connect their passion with purpose every day.

Our Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai delivery centers are hubs of engineering expertise, with core capabilities in mechanical and electrical engineering, systems and software, and manufacturing engineering. Our teams deliver work across multiple industries including transportation, consumer and industrial products, and life sciences. We serve more than 4,500 clients, including many Fortune 500 brands. Learn more about how we can work together at actalentservices.com.

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