What are the responsibilities and job description for the Construction Inspector - Power Generation position at Principle Services, LLC?
Job Summary
The Lead Construction Inspector will perform daily on-site inspections of construction activities related to the installation of Siemens simple cycle gas turbines (SGT-800s), a 138kV Switchyard, and BOP components. This includes verifying compliance with project specifications, Siemens technical requirements, industry codes/standards (e.g., ASME, NFPA, OSHA), and regulatory permits. The inspector will document observations, identify deficiencies, witness testing, and support quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) processes to facilitate successful commissioning and handover.
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct daily field inspections of turbine installation, foundation work, mechanical assembly, piping, electrical systems, and BOP elements (including fuel gas systems, ammonia system, air intake/exhaust, transformers, switchgear, cabling, grounding, and auxiliary equipment).
- Verify that construction activities align with approved engineering drawings, manufacturer installation manuals, project specifications, and applicable codes/standards.
- Inspect civil works such as turbine foundations, access roads, crane pads, structural supports, and site grading for quality and dimensional accuracy.
- Monitor mechanical installations including gas turbine alignment, bolting, welding, piping (fuel gas, lube oil, ammonia), and rotating equipment setup.
- Review electrical installations including medium/high-voltage cabling, transformers, switchgear, control systems, and grounding to ensure proper installation and safety.
- Witness and document key activities such as material receiving, concrete pours, welding, non-destructive testing (NDT), hydrostatic/pneumatic testing, equipment alignment, and pre-commissioning checks.
- Identify and report non-conformances, defects, or deviations; work with contractors and site teams to resolve issues promptly.
- Maintain detailed daily inspection reports, photo documentation, and logs; prepare punch lists and track resolution of open items.
- Ensure adherence to site safety protocols, environmental regulations, and permit conditions (e.g., OSHA, EPA, local building codes).
- Manage and train junior construction inspector(s) working on the project.
- Coordinate with Siemens representatives, EPC contractors, subcontractors, and third-party inspectors during critical installations and testing phases.
- Support turnover package compilation, including as-built documentation and QA/QC records for handover to operations.
- Participate in safety meetings, pre-activity briefings, and progress reviews as required.
- Provide SWPPP inspections in accordance with state permit.
Qualifications & Requirements
- Minimum 10–15 years of relevant experience as a construction inspector or field quality inspector on industrial/power generation projects, preferably involving gas turbines, simple cycle plants.
- Experience with gas turbine installations (Siemens, GE, or similar) and BOP systems (fuel gas conditioning, cooling, electrical integration) is highly preferred.
- Strong knowledge of relevant codes and standards, including ASME (e.g., B31.1/B31.3 piping), AWS welding codes, NEC electrical codes, NFPA, and OSHA safety requirements.
- Familiarity with power plant construction practices, including civil/structural, mechanical, and electrical disciplines.
- Ability to read and interpret complex engineering drawings, P&IDs, specifications, and OEM installation manuals.
- Certification or training in relevant areas (e.g., ACI concrete inspection, AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI), API 510/570, OSHA 30-hour, or NDT Level II).
- Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel) for reporting; experience with digital inspection tools or QA/QC software is a plus.
- Valid driver's license and ability to work extended hours/outdoors in varying weather conditions at an active construction site.
- Strong attention to detail, communication skills, and ability to work independently while collaborating with diverse teams.
Preferred Skills
- Prior exposure to Siemens gas turbine models (e.g., SGT-800 series) or simple cycle power projects.
- Knowledge of commissioning processes, pre-startup safety reviews (PSSR), and turnover documentation.
- Experience in fast-track EPC or owner-direct construction environments.