Mechanical Aviation Inspector

Qinetiq; Salisbury; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Matched pension scheme

Generous holiday allowance

Private Medical Insurance

Armed Forces Covenant support

Job summary

QinetiQ is seeking a Mechanical Aviation Inspector to join the Aviation Engineering Centre at Boscombe Down. You will inspect incoming components, in‑process assemblies, and finished aerospace products to ensure compliance with aviation regulations, quality standards, and customer specifications.

You’ll conduct detailed inspections, interpret drawings and BOMs, and support audits while guiding production teams to uphold safety-critical standards.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as an Inspector in aerospace design/manufacturing.
• Ability to make high‑pressure quality and compliance decisions independently.
• Strong knowledge of civil aviation regulations and aerospace quality management systems.
• Attention to detail to spot subtle defects in high‑precision, safety‑critical components.
• Proficient with ERP/MRP systems and QMS; Oracle experience desirable.

Responsibilities

• Perform detailed visual, dimensional, and physical inspection of machined parts, components, and electrical assemblies.
• Interpret drawings, BOMs, schematics, and CAD data to verify compliance.
• Verify CoCs and material test reports; support Authorized Release Certificates.
• Identify, segregate, and document NCRs; drive root‑cause investigations and corrective actions.
• Support internal, customer, and regulatory audits; mentor junior staff.

Skills

Inspection

Aerospace regulations

Root cause analysis

ERP/MRP experience

Microsoft Office

Education

Engineering apprenticeship or NVQ Level 3/HNC in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering

Tools

Verniers

Micrometers

Height gauges

Digital multimeters

Insulation testers

Crimp pull-testers

Oracle (desirable)

Job description

The Role

As a Mechanical Aviation Inspector, you’ll be operating within QinetiQ’s Aviation Engineering Centre’s (AEC) and responsible for ensuring all incoming components, in-process assemblies, and finished aerospace products strictly adhere to aviation regulations, quality standards, and customer specifications.

Day-to-day, you’ll will conduct physical and electrical inspections, manage non-conformances, and guide production teams to guarantee compliance. This pivotal role ensures the safety, quality, and regulatory integrity of all safety-critical products within an exciting and growing business area.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Perform detailed visual, dimensional, and physical inspection of mechanical machined parts, fabricated components, and complex electrical assemblies like wiring looms, harnesses, and PCBs
• Interpret aerospace engineering drawings, circuit diagrams, schematics, Bill of Materials (BOM) and CAD data to verify product compliance
• Utilise a wide range of inspection tools including verniers, micrometers, height gauges, digital multimeters, insulation testers, and crimp pull-testers
• Verify supplier documentation, Certificates of Conformity (CoC), and material test reports, and support the preparation of Authorized Release Certificates
• Identify, segregate, and document product defects (NCRs), leading root cause analysis investigations to implement robust corrective and preventive actions
• Support internal, customer, and regulatory audits while providing technical guidance and mentorship to junior inspection and manufacturing staff

Essential experience of the Mechanical Aviation Inspector:

• Proven experience as an Inspector within an active aerospace design and manufacturing environment
• Ability to make critical, high-pressure quality and compliance decisions independently with minimal supervision
• Strong working knowledge of civil aviation regulations and aerospace quality management systems
• Attention to detail with the ability to spot subtle defects in high-precision, safety-critical aerospace components
• Proficiency in using modern ERP/MRP systems (Oracle experience is desirable), dedicated Quality Management Software (QMS) and Microsoft Office

Essential qualifications for the Mechanical Aviation Inspector:

• Engineering apprenticeship or equivalent technical qualification (NVQ Level 3, City & Guilds, HNC) in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering

We value difference and we don’t have a fixed idea when it comes to background or education, provided you can show the required level of experience and willingness to learn then we would like to hear from you.

This role is 37 hours per week based at our Boscombe Down. Flexible working available with an early finish on Fridays.

Boscombe Down

MOD Boscombe Down is a unique operational site featuring the longest military runway in the UK. Primarily focusing on providing testing, evaluation and support services for aviation and aerospace systems. Renowned for its extensive flight testing capabilities the site plays a vital role in the UK’s aviation defence contributing to the development, testing and airworthiness of military aircraft enhancing operational readiness and effectiveness.

Our Recruitment Process:

At QinetiQ we are committed to building an inclusive, accessible and welcoming workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We believe that a diverse mix of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences drives innovation and leads to better outcomes for our people, customers and communities. We encourage applications from all candidates and are a disability confident committed employer. If you have a disability or need any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know by emailing . One of our recruitment team will contact you.

Many roles in QinetiQ are subject to national security vetting being completed, applicants who already hold the appropriate level of vetting may be able to transfer it upon appointment. A number of roles are also subject to additional restrictions, which means factors such as nationality or previous nationalities may affect the roles that you can be employed in.

Why Join QinetiQ?

As we continue to grow into new markets around the world, there’s never been a more exciting time to join QinetiQ. The formula for success is our appetite for innovation and having the courage to take on a wide variety of complex challenges.

As a QinetiQ employee, you’ll experience a unique working environment where teams from different backgrounds, disciplines and experiences enjoy collaborating widely and openly as we undertake this exciting and rewarding journey. Through effective teamwork, and pulling together, you’ll get to experience what happens when we all share different perspectives, blend disciplines, and link technologies; constantly discovering new ways of solving complex problems in a diverse and inclusive environment where you can be authentic, feel valued and realise your full potential. Visit our website to read more about our diverse and inclusive workplace culture.

Our Benefits

• Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance
• Generous holiday allowance, with the option to purchase additional days
• Options to join Health Cash Plan, Private Medical Insurance and Dental Insurance
• Employee discount portal: Personal Accident Insurance, Travel Insurance, Restaurants, Cinema Tickets and much more
• We are proud to support the Armed Forces community by honouring the Armed Forces Covenant and maintaining our Gold Award standard in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme
• Volunteering Opportunities - helping charities and local community

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