Gerardo Soto Jr
IMI Critical Engineering
Houston
1
Certification
18
years of professional experience
Dynamic Quality Manager with a proven track record at IMI Critical Engineering, adept at driving quality improvement initiatives and fostering a culture of accountability. Skilled in ASTM and ASME standards, I excel in data analysis and team training, enhancing product reliability and compliance while promoting continuous improvement.
Work History
Quality Manager
3 Years 5 Months- Lead all quality functions across production operations including receiving, in process, testing, and final acceptance.
- Direct and maintained two quality management systems ensuring compliance with ISO 9001 and ASME standards and regulations. Current certificates include ISO 9001:2015 / AMD 1:2024 and ASME stamps S for Sec I, U for Sec VIII, and NB for National Board.
- Analyzed KPIs to identify trends, drive corrective actions, and enhance product reliability while promoting a culture of continuous improvement.
- Provide leadership for non destructive examination activities including visual, ultrasonic, magnetic particle, and liquid penetrant inspection.
- Conducted internal audits to assess adherence to quality standards and identify areas for process enhancement.
- Updated quality control standards, methods, and procedures to meet compliance/customer requirements.
- Working directly with customer representatives, regulatory agencies, and third party auditors.
Senior Quality Technician Lead
7 Years 3 Months- Oversee all areas of production from receiving inspection to fabrication and machining to assembly and testing and responsible for final release of product
- Inspect all welds and machined components from fabrication start up to final assembly to ensure compliance to ASME and customer specification
- Liaison to third party representatives and customer witnesses for specific hold/witness points per an inspection and test plan
- Dimensionally inspect and evaluate valves and components received for repair and re manufacture for refinery shutdowns. Slide valves- Goggle valves - Double disc through conduit valves - Plug valves - Butterfly valves - Hot blast valves
- Conduct PMI-both XRF and Optical Emission Spectrometry, ultrasonic testing, liquid penetrant, and magnetic particle testing as well as schedule third party vendors for radio graphic testing based on code requirements
- Travel to vendors and testing facilities for refractory evaluation and in process testing to establish compliance of customer and API specification
- Train new hires in adherence to current quality system and product understanding for proper inspection of critical manufacturing processes
- Build and maintain databooks for customer final acceptance and shipment including a self created NDE map that has been incorporated and well accepted
- Manage metrology lab and calibrate all measuring equipment and make adjustments when needed to maintain strict tolerances
- Develop customer and code specific ITP's and ensure all critical process and inspection steps are followed and signed off
- Attend pre-inspection meetings as a quality representative to discuss inspection capabilities both internal and external
- Track and maintain KPI's related to quality department such as first time pass, NCR tracking, CAPA, and Roadblocks
CWI / Quality Inspector IV
2 Years 2 Months- Analyze welding parameters to ensure the proper pre-heat, amps, volts, and filler metals are used as well as bead size and travel speed are in accordance with the WPS
- Inspect all welds per applicable codes and procedures and maintain a welders continuity log
- Perform dimensional inspection of newly manufactured parts such as gate valves and actuators to assure compliance of specifications and API standards
- Inspect and evaluate aftermarket BOP and BOP components according to quality plans and customer requirements
- Conduct NDE using various methods such as Liquid Penetrant and Magnetic Particle Inspection
- FARO arm inspection to identify defective parts and to establish and maintain strict quality standards
- Generate Non Conformance Reports to identify any failure to comply with current quality system
- Travel to vendors to monitor welding and testing for choke manifolds and skids
Lead QC Inspector
5 Years 6 Months- Oversee day to day operations in a strict quality control environment which conforms to ASTM, ASME, API and in house specifications
- Rejected products, materials, and equipment that did not meet specification
- Conduct various testing such as liquid penetrant, weld qualification, and shear testing.
- Monitored production operations for compliance with specifications and promptly reported defects
- Routinely checked measuring equipment to resolve testing problems
- Tension and impact testing in accordance with ASTM standards
- Travel to vendors to witness and audit mechanical, hardness, and positive material identification(PMI) testing
Education
Ultrasonic Testing, UT Level I/II
Industrial Radigraphic Film Interpretation
Magnetic Particle Inspection, MT Level I/II
Liquid Penetrant Inspection, PT Level I/II
Certified Welding Inspector Test Prep
High School Diploma
Skills
ASTM
ASME
AWS
ANSI
API
NACE
Certification
A.W.S. Certified Welding Inspector
- CWI Certificate Number 14040671
ASNT ACCP Level II Visual Testing (VT)
- Certificate ID Number 230244
API-936 Refractory Personnel
- ICP Certification Number 84265
SNT-TC-1A / ASNT CP-105 Magnetic Particle Testing (MT) Certification
- Level II
SNT-TC-1A / ASNT CP-105 Liquid Penetrant Testing (PT) Certification
- Level II
SNT-TC-1A / ASNT CP-105 Ultrasonic Testing (UT) Certification
- Level II
Industrial Radiographic Film Interpretation
- Certification of completion / 16 Hours
Radiation Safety for Handheld XRF Instrument
- Certification of completion
Accomplishments
- Metallurgy for the Non-Metallurgist certificate obtained
- FARO Basic Measure Arm certificate obtained
- Certified Welding Inspector Seminar certificate obtained
- OSHA 10 - General Industry Safety and Health
Affiliations
Member of the American Welding Society
- AWS Member number 2024766
Member of American Society for Nondestructive Testing
- ASNT Member number 242049
Timeline
Quality Manager
IMI Critical Engineering
03.2023 - CurrentRead More
Senior Quality Technician Lead
IMI Critical Engineering
12.2015 - 03.2023Read More
CWI / Quality Inspector IV
Cameron
09.2013 - 11.2015Read More
Lead QC Inspector
Dril-Quip Inc.
03.2008 - 09.2013Read More
Cypress Creek High School
High School Diploma
Read More
Lone Star College
Certified Welding Inspector Test Prep
Read More
Hellier NDT
Liquid Penetrant Inspection, PT Level I/II
Read More
Hellier NDT
Magnetic Particle Inspection, MT Level I/II
Read More
Ocean Corp
Industrial Radigraphic Film Interpretation
Read More
NDT Training Center
Ultrasonic Testing, UT Level I/II
Read More