NDE Lead / CWI

NDE Lead / CWI

Location: Idaho Falls, ID
Company: Columbia Energy & Environmental Services, Inc.
Employment Type: Full-time, Non-Exempt

About Columbia Energy

Columbia Energy & Environmental Services, headquartered in Richland, WA, is a well-established small business with over 30 years of experience supporting the nuclear, defense, energy, and hazardous waste industries. Originally founded to assist with nuclear cleanup efforts at Hanford, we have since grown into a full-service engineering, design, and fabrication company serving both federal and commercial clients.

Our success is built on technical precision, teamwork, and integrity. We take pride in maintaining a strong reputation for quality and compliance while fostering a collaborative, safety-focused work environment.

Why Join Columbia Energy?

At Columbia Energy, quality and safety are foundational to everything we do. This role plays a critical part in ensuring our fabrication and inspection activities meet rigorous customer, regulatory, and code requirements. We offer competitive wages, comprehensive benefits, and the opportunity to work on technically complex projects that support important national missions.

Position Overview

We are seeking a full-time NDE Lead / Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) to support quality control and nondestructive examination activities at our Idaho Falls, ID fabrication facility. This role is responsible for leading inspection efforts, ensuring compliance with applicable codes and standards, and serving as a technical resource for NDE and welding quality.

The ideal candidate brings strong inspection expertise, sound judgment, and a collaborative approach when working with internal teams, subcontractors, and client representatives.

Essential Responsibilities & Duties

• Perform and oversee quality control and nondestructive examinations to verify compliance with applicable codes, standards, procedures, and customer requirements


• Conduct inspections to various acceptance criteria and ensure quality documentation is complete and accurate


• Verify the adequacy of welding, inspection, NDE, and testing activities for fabrication work, including review of records and QC controls


• Coordinate and manage interactions with client or customer quality representatives and resident inspectors


• Serve as the technical point of contact for NDE matters involving subcontractors and clients


• Oversee QC activities for internal and subcontract fabrication, ensuring compliance with national codes and standards, including NQA-1 where applicable


• Plan and perform receiving, acceptance, and in-process inspections of safety-significant and general service materials, equipment, and components


• Identify quality issues, recommend corrective actions, and support resolution efforts across facilities, warehouses, and job sites


• Provide recommendations related to inspection methods, procedures, standards, and equipment to maintain product quality


• Educate and instruct personnel on quality control testing and nondestructive examination requirements and ensure company procedures are followed


• Assist the QA Manager with audits, surveillances, assessments, and other QA/QC support activities as needed


• Maintain required certifications, including CWI and applicable NDE qualifications


• Support departmental and company training objectives related to quality and inspection


• Perform other job-related duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

• Current Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) certification with the ability to maintain and recertify as required


• Ability to maintain or obtain applicable NDE qualifications and certifications; ASNT certifications in VT, PT, MT, UT, RT, or LT are a plus


• Ability to read, interpret, and apply complex drawings, specifications, codes, and technical documentation


• Strong written and verbal communication skills


• Ability to pass an employment record review, criminal background check, and drug screen (drug- and alcohol-free workplace)


• U.S. citizenship required

Key Success Attributes

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality


• Team-oriented mindset with the ability to work effectively across disciplines


• Professional, positive attitude that contributes to a respectful work environment


• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently under varying levels of supervision

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, squat, and perform physical tasks associated with inspection activities


• Ability to lift, carry, and move up to 40 lbs


• Ability to work at heights, climb ladders and stairs, and operate from platforms or man lifts using appropriate fall protection


• Ability to use hands and arms repetitively for signaling, handling tools, materials, and inspection equipment


• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE), including hard hats, safety glasses, hearing protection, respirators, gloves, safety vests, and leather work boots


• Ability to work in hot, cold, and damp environments as required

Working Conditions

• Based primarily at the Idaho Falls, ID fabrication facility


• Occasional travel to vendors, subcontractors, or industrial job sites


• Fast-paced, deadline-driven environment with a strong emphasis on safety and quality

Equal Opportunity Employer

Columbia Energy is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal and state law.