Evolving the Role of QA/QC Engineers in the Energy Transition Era
- Ibrahim Gowida
- Oct 23
- 5 min read
Introduction: A New Chapter for Quality in Energy
When I started my career in QA/QC and welding inspection over 15 years ago, the energy landscape was very different. Oil & Gas was at its peak, EPC megaprojects were booming, and quality systems revolved around thick binders, hardcopy ITPs, and handwritten reports.
Today, the industry is transforming before our eyes — toward cleaner energy, digitalization, and sustainability. LNG, renewables, and hydrogen are reshaping how we design, build, and maintain assets.
And within this transformation, I see the role of QA/QC engineers evolving faster than ever before.We are no longer just inspectors of the past — we are enablers of the future.
1. The Energy Transition Is Changing the Definition of Quality
Traditionally, quality meant ensuring that welds passed inspection, materials met specifications, and systems operated safely under pressure. That foundation still stands — but now, the definition of “quality” is expanding.
Today’s projects are not only judged by mechanical integrity but also by environmental impact, efficiency, and digital traceability.
In LNG terminals, refineries, and even renewable energy plants, clients now expect QA/QC systems to demonstrate:
Carbon-conscious construction practices
Digital quality records for traceability
Fewer reworks and waste generation
Integrated safety and sustainability compliance
The world’s expectations from engineers have changed. Our responsibility has grown beyond inspection — it’s about contributing to a sustainable and transparent energy ecosystem.
2. The Rise of Digital QA/QC: From Paper to Platform
In my early projects, completing a QA dossier meant thousands of pages — welding logs, hydrotest reports, NDT records — all manually filed and reviewed. Today, that same process can be done digitally in minutes.
Digital QA/QC platforms now:
Track welds and NDT reports in real time
Capture site data directly from inspectors’ tablets
Auto-generate turnover packages linked to system completions
Provide live dashboards for clients and auditors
I experienced this shift firsthand during major EPC projects where digital weld mapping and NDT tracking reduced document review time by 70%.
The key isn’t technology itself — it’s how we, as QA/QC professionals, integrate technology with field discipline.A good digital system complements human oversight, not replaces it.
3. Data-Driven Decisions: The New Quality Frontier
We’ve entered an era where data is as valuable as steel.Every weld rejection, NDT report, and inspection log holds insight into future performance.
By analyzing trends — such as repetitive defect types, heat treatment variations, or material nonconformities — we can predict and prevent failures.
In one of my previous roles, we used simple Excel-based dashboards to track weld acceptance rates per welder and per joint type. Within months, defect rates dropped by double digits simply because data made performance transparent.
Now imagine that power multiplied through AI and IoT — sensors embedded in pipelines monitoring stress, corrosion, and weld health in real-time. That’s where QA/QC is heading: from reactive inspection to predictive integrity management.
4. Integrating QA/QC with Sustainability Goals
Sustainability and quality are no longer separate objectives. They are now interconnected pillars of responsible engineering.
Each rework consumes energy, generates waste, and increases carbon footprint. That’s why preventing defects and optimizing fabrication processes directly contribute to sustainability targets.
In refinery and LNG projects, I’ve seen how better welding planning — minimizing repair rates, optimizing electrode usage, and scheduling NDT efficiently — can lead to measurable resource savings.
It’s a reminder that quality excellence is environmental excellence.A zero-defect weld isn’t just a technical win; it’s a sustainability achievement.
5. Expanding Skill Sets: From Inspectors to Integrators
The QA/QC engineer of the future won’t just carry gauges and clipboards. They’ll carry tablets, analytics tools, and leadership responsibility.
Here’s how our role is expanding:
Technical + Digital: Understanding inspection codes and digital QA systems
Quality + HSE: Aligning quality objectives with safety and sustainability KPIs
Engineer + Communicator: Bridging design, execution, and client expectations
Auditor + Innovator: Using audit insights to drive continuous improvement
When I mentor junior engineers, I always tell them:
“Don’t just learn how to inspect — learn how to influence quality across every function.”
That’s what makes a modern QA/QC professional indispensable.
6. The Continued Relevance of Core Standards
While the tools are changing, the core standards remain timeless.Codes like ASME, API, AWS, and ISO continue to define the backbone of global quality.
But what’s changing is how we apply them. Digital inspection forms, real-time traceability, and AI-assisted weld interpretation are making compliance smarter and faster.
For example, instead of manually referencing ASME B31.3 tables for thickness calculations, digital QA software can auto-verify parameters and flag deviations.This doesn’t diminish the role of the engineer — it enhances it, allowing us to focus on judgment, analysis, and problem-solving.
The essence of QA/QC — ensuring safety, integrity, and reliability — will never change.But how we ensure it is evolving.
7. The Human Element: Still the Strongest Link
Despite automation, the most advanced QA/QC system is only as good as the people behind it.
I’ve worked with inspectors who could detect anomalies with a single glance — years of experience honed into instinct. No software can replicate that.
That’s why developing people remains the heart of quality leadership.Mentorship, continuous training, and emotional intelligence will continue to define high-performing QA/QC teams.
A balanced approach — where technology amplifies human judgment — is what the energy transition truly needs.
8. Certifications and Continuous Learning: Staying Relevant
In a fast-evolving field, certifications are not just credentials — they’re commitments to staying current.
From PMP® and CSWIP 3.2.2 to ISO 9001 Lead Auditor and ASNT Level II, each certification I’ve earned has shaped how I view quality — not as an isolated function, but as a system connected to every discipline.
The more I learned, the more I realized: technical mastery alone isn’t enough. Soft skills — communication, adaptability, and leadership — are equally vital.
Continuous learning keeps us agile in a world where change is the only constant.
9. Collaboration Across Disciplines: The New Normal
Energy projects are becoming more integrated — mechanical, electrical, civil, and automation systems all interacting in real time.As QA/QC professionals, our scope must expand accordingly.
We must collaborate seamlessly with engineers, HSE officers, digital specialists, and commissioning teams.On the TotalEnergies Mozambique LNG Project, for example, we worked with multidisciplinary teams to align welding, NDT, and commissioning activities across continents.
The lesson? Collaboration builds quality faster than inspection alone.
Quality assurance is no longer a gatekeeper’s role — it’s a partnership function that connects every stakeholder in the value chain.
10. Looking Ahead: QA/QC in the Age of Energy Innovation
As the world embraces hydrogen, carbon capture, and offshore renewables, QA/QC will stand at the frontier of new materials, processes, and safety challenges.
Imagine inspecting cryogenic pipelines for green hydrogen, composite blades for offshore wind, or additive-manufactured pressure vessels.Each new frontier brings new risks — and new opportunities for excellence.
That’s why adaptability will define the next generation of QA/QC leaders.Our mindset must shift from “following standards” to “helping shape new ones.”
We are not just inspectors of what has been built — we are the guardians of what will power the future.
Conclusion: The Future Belongs to Quality Leaders
The energy transition is not just a shift in fuel — it’s a shift in mindset.
As QA/QC professionals, our purpose remains the same: to protect integrity, safety, and trust.But how we fulfill that purpose is evolving through technology, collaboration, and sustainability.
When I look back at every project I’ve worked on — from refineries in Kuwait to pipelines in Georgia — I see more than steel and welds. I see a continuous journey of learning, adapting, and leading through quality.
To my fellow QA/QC engineers:
The world needs your precision, your ethics, and your adaptability more than ever.Don’t wait for the future to define your role — define it yourself.
Let’s lead this new era of energy with integrity, innovation, and excellence — the true hallmarks of quality leadership.
Comments