Tank Car Repair - Quality Assurance Inspector
4 days ago
Houston
Job Description Full-Time | 3–5 Years Experience For more than 50 years, TMC Engineering Services, Inc. has been a trusted provider of railcar maintenance and repair services for railroads, private car owners, and shippers across North America. We are expanding our team in Houston, TX, and are seeking a skilled Quality Assurance Inspector with experience in railcar repair. Job Summary We are seeking a detail-oriented Quality Assurance (QA) Inspector with tank car repair or qualification experience. In this role, you will inspect tank car repairs, alterations, and qualification activities to ensure compliance with AAR standards, FRA (49 CFR) requirements (e.g., Parts 173, 179, 180, including 180.509), and company/customer specifications. You’ll verify integrity of shells, heads, nozzles, valves, protective housings, safety relief devices (PRDs), jackets, thermal protection, linings/coatings, and ensure proper documentation and traceability for all work performed. Key Responsibilities: Tank Car Inspection & Testing: • Perform incoming, in-process, and final inspections on tank cars and components (pressure and non-pressure)., • Structural and pressure boundary repairs: shell, head, nozzle/sump, manway, welds, and reinforcing pads., • Appurtenances & safety systems: PRDs/safety valves, bottom outlet valves (BOV), vacuum relief, sampling valves, top fittings, protective housings, handrails, ladders, sill steps, safety appliances., • Jackets, insulation, thermal protection systems, and head shields., • Thickness/UT readings, visual weld inspection (VT), PT/MT/UT as applicable., • Leak tests (air/soap, bubble, or approved method), hydrostatic tests where applicable., • Calibrations and set pressures for PRDs; verify tag/setting/recert intervals., • Lining/coating spark testing, holiday detection, DFT (dry film thickness), adhesion checks per spec., • Verify commodity changeover and cleaning/decontamination requirements prior to hot work or entry. Documentation & Records • Complete accurate inspection reports, checklists, NCRs (non-conformance reports), repair/alteration records, qualification documentation, and traceability logs., • Ensure all documentation meets AAR billing and data recording requirements and is suitable for customer and regulatory audits., • Confirm calibration records are current and complete. Standards, Compliance & Audits Audit shop processes and repair work against: • AAR M-1002 (Tank Car Manual) and M-1003 (Quality System Requirements), • FRA 49 CFR Parts 173, 179, 180 (incl. 180.509 qualification & periodic inspection), • Company SOPs, WPS/PQRs, and customer specs, • Identify and document defects, deviations, and unsafe conditions (e.g., weld discontinuities, out-of-tolerance components, lining failures, PRD non-conformities)., • Enforce confined space entry, hot work, LOTO, and tank car-specific hazard controls., • Communicate inspection results and priorities to production, welding, lining/coating, and valve/PRD technicians., • Provide quality feedback and coach teams on AAR/FRA requirements, workmanship standards, and documentation best practices. Qualifications & Requirements Education • High school diploma or GED required., • 2+ years in tank car repair/qualification or heavy railcar/mechanical inspection (pressure equipment experience is a plus)., • Experience reading tank car drawings, repair procedures, WPS/PQRs, and regulatory standards., • Familiarity with lining/coating inspection and PRD/valve overhaul verification. Technical Skills • Proficient with precision measurement tools: calipers, micrometers, pit/depth gauges, bridge cam gauges, UT thickness meters, pressure gauges, DFT meters, holiday detectors., • Working knowledge of NDT methods (VT required; PT/MT/UT a plus)., • Ability to interpret AAR M-1002/M-1003 and 49 CFR 173/179/180 requirements and apply them on the shop floor., • Strong attention to detail and documentation accuracy., • Clear, concise communication and a collaborative mindset., • Problem-solving, prioritization, and follow-through in a fast-paced repair environment. Preferred Certifications • AAR M-1003 QMS experience or auditor exposure., • NDT Level II (VT/PT/MT/UT) per SNT-TC-1A or equivalent., • AWS (e.g., D15.1) familiarity; CWI is a plus., • Coatings/Linings certifications (e.g., NACE/AMPP CIP) are highly desirable. Physical & Work Environment Requirements • Ability to climb tank cars, work at heights and in confined spaces, bend, kneel, and stand for extended periods., • Lift/push/pull up to 50 lbs as needed., • Work in indoor/outdoor shop and yard conditions with temperature and weather variations; wear required PPE.