Mechanical Inspector

Shimmick is seeking a highly talented Mechanical Field Inspector to be based out of Chattanooga, TN.  This challenging position will provide an excellent growth opportunity while improving the infrastructure of the city. 

The Mechanical Field Inspector will be responsible for monitoring, inspecting, and verifying mechanical installations in the field to ensure compliance with project specifications, industry standards, and regulatory requirements. Working closely with Project Managers, Foremen, and QA/QC personnel, the Mechanical Field Inspector will help maintain strict adherence to quality protocols, safety policies, and project schedules.

Become a part of a dynamic, fast-growing player in Heavy Construction. Shimmick is a national Contractor that has an excellent reputation within the industry and is seeking a qualified individual to join our Southwest Division.  Shimmick takes on challenging projects and performs high-quality work ranging from expanding/constructing water and wastewater treatment plants to construction of the new Gerald Desmond Bridge.

Shimmick has a long history of completing complex water projects, ranging from the world’s largest wastewater recycling and purification system in California to the record-setting Hoover Dam. In 2021, we began a transformation to re-envision our strategy to meet the nation’s growing need for water and other critical infrastructure.

Today, Shimmick is at the forefront of delivering solutions to meet the nation’s growing demand for water infrastructure.

Our commitment extends to water treatment, water conveyance, water storage, flood protection, environmental projects, and more. Our solid foundation of enduring client relationships, financial stability, market leadership, effective risk management, and strategic presence in key regions ensures our ability to execute this crucial mission.

• According to Engineering News Record, in 2024, Shimmick was nationally ranked as a top ten builder of water supply (#8), dams and reservoirs (#6), and water treatment and desalination plants (#7).
• Led by industry veterans with 20+ years of experience
• Solid foundation: client relationships, financial stability, and market leadership

National Division

Shimmick’s National Division operates throughout the central and eastern United States and focuses on water resources including locks, dams, levees and flood control, many along the nation’s coasts and inland waterways. Comprised of legacy companies Morrison Knudsen, Washington Group International, and others, Shimmick’s National Division has decades-long history of delivering projects for repeat clients like New Jersey Transit, where Shimmick has been operating and maintaining the Hudson-Bergen Rail Line for more than 20 years.

The National Division has also delivered numerous projects for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, primarily in the water resources sector along the nation’s inland waterways and coastlines. One such project was the new Olmsted Dam on the Ohio River, where according to USACE, more commerce traverses than any other location on the entire U.S. inland waterways. With the Olmsted lock and dam replacement, economic net benefits to the nation are estimated to be more than $640 million annually.

The responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to the following:

Field Inspections & Verification

• Conduct daily inspections of mechanical systems (piping, equipment installation, structural supports, welding, alignment, etc.) to confirm work meets contract documents, drawings, and applicable codes (ASME, ASTM, AWS, API, etc.).
• Verify dimensional accuracy, material traceability, and equipment placement per project specifications.
• Perform visual and dimensional checks on welded joints, bolted connections, and mechanical assemblies. Coordinate Non‐Destructive Testing (NDT) (e.g., dye penetrant, magnetic particle) as required.

Documentation & Reporting

• Maintain accurate, detailed daily inspection reports, checklists, and field logs using company QA/QC forms or electronic reporting systems.
• Document non‐conformances, generate corrective action reports, and follow up to ensure timely resolution.
• Track and manage material certifications, mill test reports (MTRs), and submittals for mechanical components.
• Photograph critical stages of mechanical work, annotate photos with observations, and archive per company procedures.

Quality Control Processes

• Coordinate with the QC Manager to schedule necessary inspections and hold points.
• Monitor quality control plan (QCP) for mechanical scope, ensuring all required hold points and witness points are observed.
• Support pressure test activities (hydrostatic, pneumatic) by verifying test procedures, documenting results, and confirming compliance.

Safety & Compliance

• Enforce Shimmick’s Safety First culture: ensure all mechanical work in the field adheres to OSHA regulations, company safety plans (Hazard Analyses, AHAs), and site‐specific safety requirements.
• Identify potential safety hazards related to mechanical scope and collaborate with Supervision to implement corrective measures.
• Participate in toolbox talks and safety briefings specific to mechanical trade work (e.g., confined space entry, hot work permitting).

Collaboration & Coordination

• Liaise with Project Engineers, Foremen, subcontractors, and vendors to clarify technical requirements, resolve field‐level discrepancies, and drive quality improvements.
• Attend weekly meetings to review inspection findings, discuss action items, and support project closeout.
• Coordinate material deliveries, receiving inspections, and staging for mechanical equipment and piping.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify areas for process improvement in QA/QC workflows and provide recommendations to management.
• Assist in training junior inspectors and craft personnel on inspection criteria, acceptance standards, and best practices.
• Stay current with evolving codes, standards, and industry trends (e.g., updates to ASME B31.3, API codes, AWS D1.1).

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelors Degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or related field + 4 years of relevant experience or demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education 
• Proficient in reading and interpreting mechanical drawings, Piping & Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs), isometrics, equipment datasheets, and structural details.
• Demonstrated experience with inspection of welded piping systems (carbon steel, stainless steel), pressure vessels, and mechanical equipment installations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Graduate Mechanical Engineer with 5 yrs experience OR person with 10 years of experience supervising mechanical features of work in the field preferred.
• ICC Mechanical Inspector Certification, or Professional Licenses preferred; other relevant certifications are a plus.
• Previous inspection experience on heavy civil, transportation, water infrastructure, or industrial projects

• Strong working knowledge of applicable codes and standards (ASME B31.3, API 650/653, AWS D1.1, ASTM, NFPA).

   

• Familiarity with NDT methods (dye penetrate, magnetic particle, ultrasonic) and ability to interpret NDT reports.

   

• Proficient with electronic inspection/reporting tools (Procore, Fieldwire, Bluebeam, or similar).

   

• Competent with hand tools (calipers, micrometers, weld gauges, levels, tape measures) and field measuring instruments.

• Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills; ability to manage multiple inspections across shifts and locations.

   

• Strong verbal and written communication skills: able to produce clear, concise reports and effectively convey findings to project stakeholders.

Additional Information:

• Qualified applicants who are offered a position must pass a pre-employment substance abuse test.
• This position does not include sponsorship for United States work authorization.

The salary range for this position is between $120,000 - $130,000 per year depending on experience and/or education.