Quality Inspector – Composites

Dheya; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Air Q Limited in Abu Dhabi is seeking a Quality Inspector – Composites to ensure incoming, in-process, and final inspections of composite materials meet engineering drawings and aerospace standards.

You will perform layup, curing, bonding, NDT such as UT/tap testing, and manage documentation to support NCR/CAPA processes and CAPAs. Join a UAV-focused manufacturing team delivering defect-free aerospace components.

Qualifications

• Diploma or Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Materials/Composite Engineering or related field.
• 2+ years of experience as a Quality Inspector in composite manufacturing.
• Experience in UAV, aerospace, aviation, or advanced manufacturing is highly preferred.
• Hands-on experience inspecting composite components and structures.
• Strong knowledge of composite materials, layup, curing, and bonding processes.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, CAD data, and lay-up specifications.
• Hands-on experience with dimensional inspection tools and gauges.
• Knowledge of NDT methods such as UT and tap testing.
• Understanding of aerospace quality requirements and inspection practices.
• AS9100/ISO 9001 knowledge and experience with NCR/CAPA/QMS/ERP systems.

Responsibilities

• Inspect incoming composite raw materials and consumables for certification, shelf life, storage conditions, and conformity.
• Verify correct material and consumable usage during production.
• Record batch, lot, and material traceability information.
• Perform in-process inspections during composite layup, bagging, curing, bonding, and assembly.
• Visually and dimensionally inspect cured composite parts against engineering drawings, CAD models, and specifications.
• Identify defects including porosity, delamination, voids, disbonds, FOD, surface defects, and dimensional deviations.
• Use inspection equipment such as calipers, gauges, measuring tools, and CMM where applicable.
• Ensure critical UAV dimensions and tolerances meet specified requirements.
• Perform or coordinate NDT activities such as ultrasonic testing (UT) and tap testing.
• Detect and evaluate defects such as delamination, voids, and disbonds.
• Assess defects against approved acceptance criteria and specifications.
• Support root cause analysis and recommend appropriate rework, repair, or scrap disposition.
• Escalate critical quality issues to Quality, Engineering, and Production teams.

Skills

NDT inspection

Dimensional inspection

AS9100/ISO 9001 knowledge

Reading engineering drawings

CMM measurement

2+ years experience

Aerospace familiarity

Education

Diploma or Bachelor's in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering

Tools

Calipers

Micrometers

CMM

Gauges

Job description

Composite Material Inspection Techniques Visual Inspection of Composite Defects (e.g., Delamination, Porosity) Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) for Composites AS9100 / ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems Technical Drawing & Blueprint Interpretation Dimensional Measurement Tools (e.g., Calipers, Micrometers, CMM) Root Cause Analysis (RCA) & Corrective Actions Metrology Principles First Article Inspection (FAI) Aerospace Industry Regulations & Standards Problem-solving in Quality Assurance Quality Documentation & Reporting Statistical Process Control (SPC)

Air Q Limited is an advanced UAV technology and manufacturing company focused on developing and delivering innovative unmanned aerial systems. We are looking for a Quality Inspector – Composites to join our Quality team and ensure that composite materials, parts, and assemblies meet the required engineering, quality, and aerospace standards.

The Quality Inspector – Composites will be responsible for inspecting composite materials, components, and assemblies throughout the manufacturing process to ensure conformance with engineering drawings, specifications, work instructions, and applicable aerospace quality standards.

The role covers incoming material inspection, in-process inspection during layup, bagging, curing and bonding, dimensional inspection, NDT/defect evaluation, final inspection, and documentation.

The successful candidate will play a key role in preventing non-conforming parts from progressing through production and supporting on‑time, defect‑free delivery.

Key Responsibilities

1. Composite Material & Process Inspection

• Inspect incoming composite raw materials and consumables for certification, shelf life, storage conditions, and conformity.
• Verify correct material and consumable usage during production.
• Record batch, lot, and material traceability information.
• Perform in-process inspections during composite layup, bagging, curing, bonding, and assembly.
• Visually and dimensionally inspect cured composite parts against engineering drawings, CAD models, and specifications.
• Identify defects including porosity, delamination, voids, disbonds, FOD, surface defects, and dimensional deviations.
• Use inspection equipment such as calipers, gauges, measuring tools, and CMM where applicable.
• Ensure critical UAV dimensions and tolerances meet specified requirements.
• Perform or coordinate NDT activities such as ultrasonic testing (UT) and tap testing.
• Detect and evaluate defects such as delamination, voids, and disbonds.
• Assess defects against approved acceptance criteria and specifications.
• Support root cause analysis and recommend appropriate rework, repair, or scrap disposition.
• Escalate critical quality issues immediately to the relevant Quality, Engineering, and Production teams.

3. Documentation & Quality Compliance

• Maintain accurate inspection reports, checklists, inspection records, and Certificates of Conformance.
• Raise and manage Non-Conformance Reports (NCRs) through the ERP/QMS system.
• Support timely NCR closure and CAPA activities.
• Ensure compliance with AS9100, customer requirements, engineering specifications, and internal quality procedures.
• Support First Article Inspection (FAI) in accordance with AS9102.
• Ensure inspection documentation reflects approved process and R&D changes.
• Maintain revision control and traceability of quality documentation.
• Support internal and external quality audits.
• Release conforming parts to the next production stage on schedule.
• Immediately quarantine and identify non-conforming parts to prevent quality escapes.
• Coordinate with Production and Engineering teams to resolve inspection discrepancies.
• Ensure inspection tools and gauges are properly calibrated and maintained.
• Support development and improvement of QC checklists and inspection procedures for composite manufacturing stages.
• Analyse recurring defects and quality trends to identify opportunities to reduce scrap, rework, and production delays.
• Provide Quality input during NPI, prototype, and R&D trial builds to ensure designs are manufacturable and inspectable.

Key Performance Areas

• Inspection cycle-time adherence
• On‑time release of conforming parts
• Accuracy and traceability of QC records
• Timely NCR and CAPA closure
• Reduction of recurring defects, scrap, and rework

Qualifications & Experience

• Diploma or Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Materials/Composite Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 2+ years of experience as a Quality Inspector in composite manufacturing.
• Experience within UAV, aerospace, aviation, or advanced manufacturing is highly preferred.
• Hands‑on experience inspecting composite components and structures is required.
• Strong knowledge of composite materials, layup, curing, and bonding processes.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, CAD data, and composite lay‑up specifications.
• Hands‑on experience with dimensional inspection tools and gauges.
• Knowledge or hands‑on experience with NDT methods such as UT and tap testing.
• Understanding of aerospace quality requirements and inspection practices.
• Working knowledge of AS9100 and/or ISO 9001.
• Experience with NCR, CAPA, QMS, or ERP systems.
• Understanding of UAV assembly and integration processes is an advantage.
• AS9100 Internal Auditor, ISO 9001, NDT, or other relevant quality certifications are an advantage.
• Strong quality‑focused and zero‑defect mindset.
• Excellent attention to detail and precision.
• High level of integrity and objectivity when making inspection decisions.
• Effective communication and collaboration with Production and Engineering teams.
• Ability to manage multiple inspection activities and priorities simultaneously.
• Proactive approach to identifying and resolving quality issues.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast‑paced UAV manufacturing and R&D environment.

Why Join Air Q Limited?

• Work on advanced UAV and aerospace technologies.
• Be part of a growing engineering and manufacturing environment.
• Gain exposure to composite manufacturing, quality systems, NDT, and UAV production.
• Opportunity to contribute directly to product quality and continuous improvement.