Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Glass Inspector
💰 $18 - $28 per hour
ManufacturingQuality ControlSkilled TradesProduction
🎯 Role Definition
As a Glass Inspector, you are the crucial final checkpoint ensuring our products meet the highest standards of quality, safety, and excellence. You will be a guardian of our brand's reputation, using your keen eye for detail and technical precision to identify and address imperfections before they reach the customer. This role is perfect for a meticulous and dedicated individual who thrives in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and understands that quality is not just a metric, but a promise. You will directly contribute to customer satisfaction and operational success by upholding our stringent quality control protocols.
📈 Career Progression
Typical Career Path
Entry Point From:
- Production Operator or Manufacturing Associate
- Assembly Line Worker
- Quality Control Trainee
Advancement To:
- Senior Quality Inspector or Quality Control Lead
- Quality Assurance (QA) Supervisor or Manager
- Process Improvement Technician
Lateral Moves:
- Quality Assurance (QA) Technician
- Metrology or Calibration Technician
- Production Supervisor
Core Responsibilities
Primary Functions
- Perform detailed visual and dimensional inspections of raw, in-process, and finished glass products to identify defects such as scratches, bubbles, seeds, inclusions, chips, and optical distortions.
- Utilize precision measuring instruments, including calipers, micrometers, height gauges, and optical comparators, to verify product dimensions against blueprints and specifications.
- Operate and monitor automated inspection equipment, such as camera-based vision systems, and interpret the data to make pass/fail decisions.
- Meticulously document all inspection results, test data, and observations in the Quality Management System (QMS) and other required logs with a high degree of accuracy.
- Create detailed non-conformance reports (NCRs) for products that fail to meet quality standards, ensuring all relevant information is captured for root cause analysis.
- Read and interpret complex engineering drawings, technical blueprints, and product specification sheets to understand critical quality attributes and tolerances.
- Segregate, label, and quarantine defective or non-conforming materials and finished products to prevent their unintended use or shipment.
- Conduct first-piece, in-process, and final audits to ensure that production processes are stable and capable of producing parts that meet specifications.
- Communicate effectively and promptly with production supervisors, machine operators, and engineers regarding quality issues, defect trends, and process deviations.
- Perform various physical and stress tests on glass samples, such as thermal shock, impact resistance, and fragmentation tests, to ensure compliance with safety and durability standards.
- Calibrate and maintain inspection tools and measurement equipment to ensure their accuracy and reliability, following established calibration schedules.
- Adhere strictly to all company safety policies, procedures, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) requirements to maintain a safe working environment.
- Evaluate the cosmetic appearance of glass, including color, clarity, and surface finish, to ensure it meets aesthetic standards defined by the customer.
- Verify that all packaging and labeling信息 are correct for finished products prior to their transfer to the shipping department.
- Participate actively in quality-focused meetings and provide data-driven feedback to help resolve production and quality challenges.
Secondary Functions
- Assist in the root cause analysis and corrective action (RCCA) process by providing detailed information and insights on observed defects.
- Contribute to the continuous improvement of inspection methods, quality procedures, and manufacturing processes by providing practical suggestions and feedback.
- Support the training and mentoring of new inspectors or production operators on quality standards, inspection techniques, and defect identification.
- Maintain the cleanliness and organization of the inspection station and quality control lab, following 5S or similar lean manufacturing principles.
- Help gather and compile quality data for a variety of reports, including daily production summaries, trend analyses, and monthly quality metrics.
Required Skills & Competencies
Hard Skills (Technical)
- Defect Identification: Expert ability to visually detect and classify a wide range of glass defects, from subtle cosmetic flaws to critical structural issues.
- Precision Measurement: Proficiency in using and reading various metrology tools, including digital calipers, micrometers, feeler gauges, and profilometers.
- Blueprint & Specification Interpretation: Strong capability to read and understand technical drawings, geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T), and quality specification documents.
- Quality Management Systems (QMS): Experience with entering data and generating reports in QMS software and familiarity with ERP systems.
- Basic Computer Proficiency: Solid working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook) for documentation and communication.
- Automated Inspection Systems: Familiarity with operating and interpreting results from automated visual inspection equipment is a significant plus.
- Knowledge of Glass Properties: Understanding of the physical and chemical properties of glass and the common defects associated with its manufacturing processes (e.g., tempering, laminating, coating).
Soft Skills
- Exceptional Attention to Detail: A highly meticulous and observant nature is absolutely critical to succeeding in this role.
- Strong Communication: Ability to clearly and concisely communicate inspection results, quality issues, and instructions both verbally and in writing.
- Independent Judgment & Decision Making: Confidence to make crucial pass/fail decisions autonomously based on established standards.
- Problem-Solving: Proactive in identifying trends and assisting in finding the root cause of quality problems.
- Time Management: Ability to manage and prioritize tasks effectively in a fast-paced production environment to meet deadlines.
- Integrity and Dependability: A strong sense of responsibility and ethics, ensuring that quality standards are never compromised.
Education & Experience
Educational Background
Minimum Education:
- High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
Preferred Education:
- Associate's Degree, Technical Certificate, or formal apprenticeship in Quality Assurance, Manufacturing Technology, or a related field.
- ASQ (American Society for Quality) certification, such as Certified Quality Inspector (CQI), is a plus.
Relevant Fields of Study:
- Quality Assurance / Quality Control
- Manufacturing Engineering Technology
- Industrial Technology
Experience Requirements
Typical Experience Range: 1-3 years of hands-on experience in a quality control or quality inspection role within a manufacturing environment.
Preferred: Direct experience inspecting glass, automotive components, optics, electronics, or other products requiring high levels of precision and cosmetic scrutiny is highly desirable.