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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Quality Assurance Inspector

💰 $45,000 - $75,000

ManufacturingQuality AssuranceOperationsEngineeringSkilled Trade

🎯 Role Definition

This role requires a detail-oriented and highly motivated Quality Assurance Inspector to join our dynamic team. In this pivotal role, you will be the final gatekeeper of quality, ensuring that our products and components meet and exceed rigorous engineering specifications and customer expectations. You will use advanced inspection tools and methodologies to meticulously examine materials, in-process components, and finished goods. As a QA Inspector, you are essential to upholding our reputation for excellence and driving continuous improvement throughout our manufacturing processes. This position requires a keen eye for detail, a strong understanding of quality principles, and the ability to collaborate effectively with production and engineering teams.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Production Operator / Assembly Technician
  • Machinist / CNC Operator
  • Manufacturing Associate

Advancement To:

  • Senior Quality Assurance Inspector
  • Quality Assurance Supervisor / Team Lead
  • Quality Engineer

Lateral Moves:

  • Calibration Technician
  • Process Improvement Technician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Perform comprehensive first article, in-process, and final inspections on machined parts, assemblies, and finished products to verify strict conformance to specifications, blueprints, and quality standards.
  • Utilize a wide variety of precision measuring instruments, including calipers, micrometers, height gauges, bore gauges, optical comparators, and vision systems to conduct accurate dimensional and visual inspections.
  • Interpret complex engineering drawings, technical blueprints, and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) callouts to determine appropriate inspection methods and acceptance criteria.
  • Meticulously document inspection results by completing detailed reports and logs, summarizing re-work and scrap, and inputting data into the company's quality management system (QMS) or ERP database.
  • Initiate, document, and manage Non-Conforming Material Reports (NCMRs), and collaborate with engineering and production teams to determine the final disposition of non-compliant materials.
  • Operate and potentially program Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMM) and other advanced metrology equipment to perform complex, high-precision dimensional inspections on critical components.
  • Generate and complete First Article Inspection Reports (FAIRs) in accordance with industry standards such as AS9102 or specific customer requirements.
  • Identify and segregate non-conforming products in designated quarantine areas, ensuring that suspect materials are properly controlled and dispositioned.
  • Verify incoming raw materials and components against purchase orders, certifications of conformity, and material test reports to ensure they meet required specifications before entering production.
  • Provide clear, constructive feedback to production personnel regarding quality issues, inspection findings, and standard requirements to foster a proactive, quality-focused culture.
  • Conduct process audits on the manufacturing floor to ensure procedures are being followed and to identify opportunities for process improvement and variation reduction.
  • Participate actively in root cause analysis (RCA) investigations to identify the source of quality defects and contribute to the implementation of robust corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis to identify quality trends and potential process issues.
  • Calibrate and maintain inspection equipment and hand tools, managing calibration schedules and maintaining accurate records to ensure measurement integrity.
  • Assist in the development, review, and revision of quality control procedures, work instructions, and inspection checklists to reflect best practices and new requirements.
  • Train production operators on fundamental quality criteria, proper measurement techniques, and the correct use of inspection tools to empower quality at the source.
  • Collaborate with the supply chain team to communicate and resolve supplier quality issues, and may be required to perform source inspections at vendor facilities.
  • Support the Quality Manager in preparing for and participating in internal, customer, and third-party quality system audits (e.g., ISO 9001, AS9100).
  • Monitor production data using Statistical Process Control (SPC) techniques to help identify and analyze process shifts and trends.
  • Evaluate and perform testing on returned materials (RMAs) to determine the root cause of field failures and report findings to the engineering team.
  • Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within the data engineering team.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Blueprint & GD&T Proficiency: Strong ability to read, interpret, and apply information from complex engineering drawings, technical specifications, and Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T) symbols.
  • Precision Metrology: Demonstrated expertise in using a variety of precision measuring instruments, such as digital calipers, micrometers, height gauges, thread gauges, and optical comparators.
  • CMM Operation: Experience operating a Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) is highly preferred; programming experience (e.g., PC-DMIS, Calypso) is a significant advantage.
  • Quality Systems Knowledge: Solid understanding of Quality Management Systems (QMS) and standards like ISO 9001, AS9100, or IATF 16949.
  • Root Cause Analysis: Familiarity with problem-solving methodologies such as 5 Whys, Fishbone (Ishikawa) diagrams, and the CAPA (Corrective and Preventive Action) process.
  • Technical Documentation: Competency in creating clear and accurate documentation, including inspection reports, non-conformance reports (NCRs), and first article inspection reports (FAIRs).
  • Computer Literacy: Proficient in using Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook) for data entry and reporting, as well as experience with ERP or QMS software.

Soft Skills

  • Meticulous Attention to Detail: An exceptional ability to detect minor defects and variations that could impact product quality and performance.
  • Analytical & Problem-Solving: The capacity to analyze inspection data, identify trends, and participate effectively in resolving complex quality issues.
  • Effective Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills to clearly articulate quality issues and collaborate with team members across different departments.
  • Independence & Teamwork: Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while also functioning as a collaborative and supportive team member.
  • Integrity & Professionalism: A high level of personal integrity and a commitment to upholding quality standards without compromise.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High School Diploma or GED equivalent.

Preferred Education:

  • Associate's Degree in a technical field or a relevant professional certification from a recognized body (e.g., ASQ Certified Quality Inspector - CQI).

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Manufacturing Technology
  • Industrial Engineering
  • Quality Assurance

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 2-5+ years of hands-on experience in a quality control or quality assurance inspection role within a manufacturing environment.

Preferred:

  • Experience in a highly regulated industry such as aerospace (AS9100), medical device (ISO 13485 / FDA cGMP), or automotive (IATF 16949) is highly desirable.
  • Direct experience with machined components, electronics assembly, or fabricated metal products is a strong plus.
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