Senior Lead Welding Inspector at Padua Petroleum Nigeria Limited (PPNL)

Padua Petroleum Nigeria Limited (PPNL) is an indigenous company established to provide a unique range of services to the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry.

We venture into this industry with the objective of building on existing limited in- country capacity. In view of the enormous opportunities which abound in the Oil and Gas industry in Nigeria and the new findings in other African countries, there is need for more indigenous players to fill the yawning gap by providing competitiveness and quality service delivery to the industry.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Senior Lead Welding Inspector

Location: Nigeria

Job Summary

• The Senior Lead Welding Inspector is responsible for the planning, coordination, supervision, and execution of welding inspection and quality control activities associated with fabrication, construction, installation, maintenance, and repair projects.
• The role provides technical leadership to welding inspection teams, ensuring all welding activities comply with project specifications, approved procedures, applicable codes, client requirements, and industry standards while maintaining the highest levels of quality, safety, and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities
Technical Responsibilities:

• Lead and supervise welding inspection activities during fabrication, construction, installation, maintenance, and repair operations.
• Review and approve Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS), Procedure Qualification Records (PQR), and Welder Qualification Records (WQT/WPQ).
• Verify compliance of welding activities with approved procedures, project specifications, and applicable codes and standards.
• Monitor welding processes, consumables, heat treatment activities, and welding parameters to ensure quality compliance.
• Conduct visual inspections of welded joints and oversee Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) activities.
• Review radiographic, ultrasonic, magnetic particle, penetrant testing, and other inspection reports.
• Evaluate weld defects, non-conformances, and repair requirements and recommend corrective actions.
• Ensure proper traceability of welding materials, consumables, and fabrication records.
• Participate in material receiving inspections and welding consumable control programs.
• Prepare and review inspection reports, weld maps, punch lists, quality dossiers, and final turnover documentation.
• Coordinate with engineering, construction, fabrication, commissioning, and client representatives regarding welding quality issues.

Leadership and Supervision:

• Direct and supervise welding inspectors, NDT personnel, QC inspectors, and subcontractor inspection teams.
• Manage daily inspection activities and ensure effective deployment of inspection resources.
• Conduct toolbox talks, quality briefings, and inspection planning meetings.
• Provide mentoring, coaching, and technical guidance to junior welding inspectors and local personnel.
• Support competency development and knowledge transfer initiatives within the organization.
• Promote continuous improvement in welding quality management processes.

Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) Responsibilities:

• Ensure all inspection activities comply with company HSE policies and procedures.
• Promote safe work practices during fabrication, welding, inspection, and testing activities.
• Participate in Job Safety Analysis (JSA), Hazard Identification (HAZID), and risk assessment activities.
• Ensure compliance with permit-to-work systems and site safety requirements.
• Report and investigate quality-related incidents, non-conformances, and unsafe conditions.
• Support the implementation of quality, safety, and environmental objectives.

Project Management Responsibilities:

• Assist with project planning, inspection scheduling, manpower allocation, and resource management.
• Monitor welding quality performance and ensure project deliverables are achieved within schedule.
• Coordinate inspection activities with clients, contractors, third-party inspectors, and regulatory authorities.
• Participate in quality audits, project review meetings, and management reporting activities.
• Support project close-out activities and preparation of final quality documentation packages.
• Prepare daily, weekly, and monthly quality reports as required.

Requirements
Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree or Higher National Diploma (HND) in Mechanical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Welding Engineering, Materials Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Formal training in welding inspection, quality assurance, and non-destructive testing.
• Membership of a recognized engineering or inspection professional body is advantageous.

Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years' experience in welding inspection, fabrication, construction, maintenance, and quality assurance within the oil and gas, petrochemical, power, marine, or heavy industrial sectors.
• Minimum of 10 years' experience in a senior welding inspection supervisory or lead inspection role.
• Extensive experience in pressure vessel, piping, structural steel, pipeline, and offshore fabrication projects.
• Proven experience overseeing welding activities in fabrication yards, construction sites, offshore facilities, and operational plants.
• Demonstrated experience managing inspection teams and coordinating multidisciplinary quality activities.
• Extensive experience with international codes, standards, and client quality requirements.
• International project experience is highly preferred.

Required Certifications:

• Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) issued by the American Welding Society or equivalent certification.
• CSWIP 3.2 Senior Welding Inspector Certification (or equivalent).
• ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems Internal Auditor or Lead Auditor Certification.
• NDT Level II Certification in one or more methods (RT, UT, MT, PT, VT) in accordance with recognized standards.
• BOSIET/FOET with CA-EBS (for offshore assignments).
• HUET Certification (for offshore assignments).
• Offshore Medical Certificate (for offshore assignments).
• First Aid and HSE Training Certifications.
• Any client- or project-specific certifications as required.

Technical Skills:

• Expert knowledge of welding processes, metallurgy, fabrication, and construction quality requirements.
• Extensive experience in welding inspection, weld procedure qualification, welder qualification, and defect assessment.
• Strong understanding of pressure vessel, piping, structural steel, and pipeline fabrication standards.
• Ability to review and interpret engineering drawings, welding procedures, isometrics, and technical specifications.
• Thorough knowledge of applicable codes and standards including API, ASME, AWS, ISO, and relevant client specifications.
• Strong understanding of NDT methods, inspection techniques, and quality control procedures.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and quality management software.
• Experience preparing quality dossiers, turnover packages, and inspection records.

Competencies:

• Strong leadership and supervisory capabilities.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Effective planning, coordination, and organizational skills.
• High level of attention to detail and commitment to quality.
• Ability to make sound technical decisions under pressure.
• Fluent in reading, writing, and speaking English.
• Strong commitment to safety, quality, and operational excellence.
• Ability to work effectively in multicultural and international project environments.

Preferred Additional Requirements:

• Experience on major EPC, offshore, refinery, petrochemical, LNG, pipeline, or industrial construction projects.
• Proven capability in mentoring and developing local welding inspection personnel.
• Experience supporting fabrication yard surveillance, offshore construction, and plant shutdown activities.
• Familiarity with advanced welding technologies, automated welding systems, and digital inspection platforms.
• Experience participating in vendor inspections, factory acceptance testing, and quality surveillance programs.
• Knowledge of integrity management, fitness-for-service assessments, and welding repair methodologies.

Application Closing Date
22nd July, 2026.

How To Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send their Applications to: career@ppnl.com.ng and copying stakeholder.recruitment@ncdmb.gov.ng using the Job Title as the subject of the email.