We are sharing a specialised consulting opportunity for experienced metallurgists and welding inspectors with deep expertise in metallographic evaluation, heat treatment, weld inspection, industrial coatings, and additive manufacturing to contribute to advanced AI training and technical evaluation initiatives. Selected professionals will review complex materials and manufacturing scenarios, make technically defensible accept/reject decisions, interpret microstructures and weld evidence, and provide clear expert reasoning grounded in recognised industry standards. No prior AI experience is required; hands-on materials and inspection expertise is the primary qualification.

Key Responsibilities

Metallographic & Microstructure Evaluation - Evaluate metallographic microstructures for material acceptability - Interpret grain structure, defects, and material condition - Compare findings against applicable technical standards - Identify nonconformities requiring rejection or further review - Document metallurgical reasoning clearly and consistently Heat Treatment & Materials Compliance - Review heat treatment processes for technical compliance - Apply AMS 2750 and related specifications to acceptance decisions - Evaluate grain size using ASTM E112 principles - Identify process deviations affecting material performance - Assess heat treatment outcomes against required criteria Weld Inspection & Acceptance - Review weld macro etch results and related inspection evidence - Apply AWS CWI acceptance criteria where relevant - Identify weld discontinuities and potential quality concerns - Evaluate weldments for conformity with applicable standards - Provide clear rationale for acceptance or rejection decisions Coatings & Additive Manufacturing - Review Assess coating quality against NACE/AMPP and SSPC requirements - Evaluate surface preparation, integrity, and protective performance - Review LPBF additive-manufacturing defects - Analyse build and cross-sectional data for defect disposition - Apply practical judgement to coating and additive-manufacturing scenarios Standards Application & Technical Reporting - Apply NADCAP, AWS, ASTM, AMS, NACE/AMPP, and SSPC standards - Review metal samples, weldments, coatings, and additive builds - Produce clear written reports supporting inspection findings - Communicate technical conclusions verbally when required - Support consistent evaluation standards across project workflows Ideal Profile - 8+ years of hands-on metallurgical or welding-inspection experience - Extensive experience making high-stakes accept/reject decisions - Strong background in metallographic analysis - Experience evaluating micrographs and fracture surfaces - Deep familiarity with heat treatment processes and acceptance criteria - Strong knowledge of AMS 2750 and ASTM E112 - Experience with weld macro etch evaluation - Current or prior AWS Certified Welding Inspector credential is highly valued - Equivalent metallurgical or welding certification is also relevant - Advanced familiarity with ASTM, AMS, AWS, and NADCAP standards - Experience with NACE/AMPP and SSPC coating requirements - Practical knowledge of industrial coating inspection - Familiarity with laser powder bed fusion additive manufacturing - Understanding of LPBF defect mechanisms and disposition - Strong written and verbal technical communication skills - Excellent attention to detail and ability to explain technical reasoning - Comfortable working independently in remote or digital project environments - No prior AI-training or model-evaluation experience is required Engagement Details - Independent contractor engagement - Fully remote - U.S.-based professionals are preferred - Compensation: $80–$130/hour - Work will involve metallographic review, heat-treatment evaluation, weld inspection, coating assessment, and additive-manufacturing defect disposition - Assignments may reference ASTM, AMS, AWS, NADCAP, NACE/AMPP, and SSPC standards - Strong accept/reject judgement and detailed technical reasoning are central to the engagement - Contributors may review micrographs, weld macros, fracture surfaces, coatings, and LPBF build data - Project scope, materials, inspection scenarios, and applicable standards may vary depending on project requirements - Work must be completed without using confidential, proprietary, export-controlled, classified, customer-restricted, or otherwise protected technical information belonging to any employer, manufacturer, client, government entity, institution, or other third party About the Platform This opportunity is available through 24-MAG LLC. We connect experienced professionals with remote consulting opportunities across technical, evaluation, and project-based workstreams. By submitting this application, you acknowledge that your information may be processed by 24-MAG LLC for recruitment and opportunity matching in accordance with our Privacy Policy: https://www.24-mag.com/privacy-policy