Home / Careers / Coatings Inspector I (AMPP CIP Level 1)
Now hiring · $30–$40 / hour
Coatings Inspector I (AMPP CIP Level 1)
A Coatings Inspector I performs the basic inspection of protective coating work under the direction of a CIP Level 2 or 3 inspector: verifying surface preparation against SSPC/NACE standards, measuring ambient conditions and surface profile, checking wet and dry film thickness, and documenting every step of the coating application on tanks, structural steel, pipe, and concrete. AMPP (formerly NACE) Coating Inspector Program Level 1 is required.
What you'll do
- Measure and record ambient conditions (temperature, humidity, dew point) before and during application
- Verify surface preparation to the specified SSPC/NACE cleanliness and profile standard
- Measure wet film and dry film thickness and check for holidays and defects
- Verify coating materials, batch numbers, mixing, and pot life against the manufacturer's data sheet
- Keep the daily coating inspection log and photograph each stage of the work
What we're looking for
- AMPP (NACE) CIP Level 1 certification, current
- 1+ years in industrial coatings application or inspection
- Comfortable working in tanks, on structures, and around blasting and spray operations
- Meticulous with instruments and records; honest about what the gauge reads
What a week in this job looks like
Coating work happens in a narrow window — the surface is clean, the profile is right, the dew point is far enough below the steel temperature — and your week is spent proving that window was open when the coating went on. Readings before the blast, readings after, readings between coats, and the log that ties them to the batch that was sprayed.
You work under a senior inspector who makes the calls on the marginal readings and signs the inspection report; your job is a complete and accurate record.
Certifications, training, and where this leads
Coatings Inspector I leads to Level 2 after the required experience and the CIP Level 2 course and exam, both sponsored by the company. Concrete coating inspection and linings work broaden the scope from there.
Pay, schedule, and travel
Pay runs $30 to $40 an hour depending on certifications held, verified experience, and the program you are assigned to. Coating schedules follow the weather and the outage calendar: early starts to catch the dew point window, night shifts on some industrial turnarounds, and extended days when a tank has to go back in service.
Texas positions are dispatched from the Sugar Land headquarters; project-site positions elsewhere are staffed on a project basis with travel and per diem as assigned, and the listing for your city says which one it is.
Safety, quality, and the standards we work under
Coatings inspection is performed to the project specification and the SSPC/NACE and AMPP standards it references, and reported under our documented AASHTO R18 quality system. Readings are reported as taken; a hold point is not released on a promise.
The safety side includes confined-space entry, respiratory protection around blasting and solvents, and work at height; the training is provided and the requirements are not optional.
How hiring works, and our commitment
Apply with your AMPP certification number and level, the coating systems and projects you have inspected, and your instrument experience. Expect a direct conversation with the people you would work for, references that get called, and a written offer consistent with this posting. The role requires a valid driver's license and the ability to be present on active jobsites, with pre-employment screening consistent with jobsite and client requirements.
We are an equal opportunity employer and consider every applicant without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or veteran status.
Apply for this position — upload your resume and we fill in the form
Any city — tell us where you are and we'll match you to the nearest work. Or pick your city below for the local posting.
Other levels of this role
Coatings Inspector II (AMPP CIP Level 2) · $40–$55 / hourCoatings Inspector III (AMPP CIP Level 3) · $55–$75 / hour
Openings by city
Connecticut
District of Columbia
Massachusetts
New Hampshire
New Jersey
North Dakota
Pennsylvania
South Dakota
Texas
HoustonSugar LandKatyThe WoodlandsPearlandPasadenaBaytownLeague CityConroeRichmondGalvestonBeaumontAustinSan AntonioDallasFort WorthAbileneEl PasoCorpus ChristiPlanoLubbockLaredoArlington
West Virginia
FAQ
Coatings Inspector I (AMPP CIP Level 1) — questions applicants ask
What does a Coatings Inspector I (AMPP CIP Level 1) earn?
The listed range is $30–$40 / hour, set by certifications held, years of documented field or laboratory experience, and the hub's market. Certified candidates enter above the bottom of the range.
What certifications matter most for a Coatings Inspector I (AMPP CIP Level 1)?
AMPP (formerly NACE) Coating Inspector Program Level 1 is required to start. The company sponsors the CIP Level 2 course and exam once you have the required inspection experience.
Which standards does a Coatings Inspector I (AMPP CIP Level 1) work to?
SSPC/NACE joint surface preparation standards (SP 1 through SP 16) and the AMPP standards that replaced them; ASTM D4417 (surface profile), D4414 (wet film), D7091 (dry film thickness), D5162 (holiday testing), D4541 and D3359 (adhesion), and D3276 (inspection guide); plus the coating manufacturer's product data sheets, which are part of the specification.
How do I apply?
Use the form on any city listing for this role: name, phone, email, years of experience, certifications, and a resume file or link. A hiring manager responds within a few business days. If you would rather talk first, call (346) 420-5425.
Where is this role based?
Wherever the project is. Choose the city page nearest you; Houston-area roles dispatch from Sugar Land, and roles in other metros are staffed through the regional hub that covers them.