Composites Manufacturing Inspector

Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL); Hollywater; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) in the UK is seeking a Composites Manufacturing Inspector to ensure all composite materials and spacecraft hardware meet engineering drawings, processes and space-industry standards before release.

You will witness inspection points, maintain traceability and records, raise non-conformances and support root-cause investigations, contributing to mission reliability and flight safety.

Qualifications

• Experience inspecting composite components or high-precision hardware in aerospace or regulated settings.
• Ability to interpret drawings, specifications and tolerances.
• Competence with calibrated dimensional inspection equipment and clear records.
• Knowledge of non-conformance, traceability and quality-management controls.
• Detail-oriented with ability to work independently and with others.

Responsibilities

• Witness and sign off inspection points across manufacture, assembly, integration and test.
• Inspect materials, components and hardware against drawings and acceptance criteria.
• Maintain accurate inspection records and full traceability of flight hardware.
• Raise non-conformances and support investigations and dispositions.
• Support audits, customer or supplier inspections and cross-functional teams.
• Drive defect prevention and adhere to safety and process requirements.
• Maintain a clean inspection area in line with housekeeping and contamination-control standards.

Skills

Composite inspection experience

Aerospace/regulated environment

Ability to read drawings

Documentation and traceability

Quality-management controls

Education

ONC/HNC or apprenticeship in mechanical/production/manufacturing engineering

Job description

Job Description – Composites Manufacturing Inspector

The key purpose of the Composites Manufacturing Inspector at SSTL is to provide independent assurance that composite materials, components, sub-assemblies, spacecraft hardware and their associated records conform to SSTL engineering drawings, approved manufacturing processes, programme requirements and applicable customer and space-industry standards before progressing through manufacture, assembly, integration, test or final release.

Working within SSTL’s high-precision spacecraft production environment in the UK, the inspector verifies dimensional and visual quality, composite-process compliance, material and product traceability, workmanship and production documentation; witnesses designated inspection points; and identifies, records and supports the resolution of non-conformances. The role safeguards product integrity, mission reliability and flight safety by preventing incomplete, non-conforming or unverified hardware from entering downstream operations or being presented for customer acceptance.

Key Responsibilities

• Inspect composite materials, components and spacecraft hardware against SSTL drawings, specifications and acceptance criteria.
• Witness and sign off Key and Mandatory Inspection Points across manufacture, assembly, integration and test.
• Complete inspection and configuration records, ensuring accurate identification and full traceability of flight hardware.
• Raise and control non-conformances, support investigation and disposition, and prevent unverified hardware from progressing.
• Support product acceptance, audits and customer or supplier inspections, working closely with Manufacturing, AIT, Engineering and PA/QA.
• Drive defect prevention and continuous improvement while complying with SSTL, ECSS, programme and UK safety requirements.
• Maintain a clean, organised inspection area in line with housekeeping, FOD and contamination-control requirements.

Person Specification

Key Requirements

• ONC/HNC, apprenticeship or equivalent practical qualification in mechanical, production or manufacturing engineering.
• Experience inspecting composite components or other high-precision hardware within an aerospace, space or similarly regulated environment.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, tolerances and manufacturing documentation.
• Competence using calibrated dimensional inspection equipment and completing clear, accurate inspection records within a demanding production environment.
• Working knowledge of non-conformance, traceability and quality-management controls.
• Strong attention to detail, sound judgement and effective communication, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively.