Quality Inspector

STS Defence; Gosport; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

STS Defence in Gosport is seeking a Quality Inspector to ensure the highest standards of product quality through independent inspection of electronic, harness, and machined assemblies. You will verify drawings, specifications and customer requirements, and support AS9100 quality processes.

With authority to accept, reject or hold products and raise non-conformances, you will prevent defects and maintain traceability.

Qualifications

• Experience in Quality Inspection / Manufacturing Inspection roles.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings and specifications.
• Experience using mechanical inspection and measurement equipment.
• Strong understanding of dimensional tolerances.
• Ability to identify and document non-conforming product.
• AS9100 & AS9102 FAI familiarity.
• NADCAP/special-process experience.
• Aerospace or defence manufacturing experience.
• Knowledge of GD&T.
• Coating inspection experience, including coating thickness measurement.
• Experience inspecting machined, fabricated and sheet-metal components.
• Experience with CMM or other advanced inspection equipment.
• Experience with ERP/MRP or quality management systems.

Responsibilities

• Carry out Goods Receipt Inspection of purchased parts, materials and components against purchase orders, drawings and specifications.
• Verify part number, revision, quantity, identification, condition and required certification.
• Carry out First-Off, In-Process and Final Inspection of manufactured products.
• Inspect electronic assemblies to IPC-A-610 requirements.
• Inspect cable and harness assemblies to IPC/WHMA-A-620 requirements.
• Inspect fabricated, machined and mechanically assembled components against engineering drawings and specifications.
• Interpret dimensional tolerances and GD&T requirements.
• Carry out dimensional inspection using calibrated equipment.
• Inspect coatings and surface treatments, including paint, powder coat, plating, anodising and other specified finishes.
• Carry out coating thickness measurements and visual inspection where required.
• Verify workmanship, configuration, identification and general condition of products.
• Work in accordance with the company's AS9100 Quality Management System.
• Maintain full product traceability, including part number, revision, serial/lot number, material and process certification where applicable.
• Record accurate and objective evidence of conformity.
• Support AS9102 First Article Inspection (FAI) activities.
• Inspect and record dimensional, material, process and special characteristics required for FAI.
• Identify, document and segregate non-conforming product.
• Raise non-conformance reports with clear and objective descriptions of defects and measured results.
• Prevent the release of product where conformity has not been demonstrated.
• Support containment, root-cause investigation and corrective action activities.
• Maintain accurate inspection records and traceable documentation.
• Provide inspection records and objective evidence during audits.

Skills

Attention to detail

Methodical approach

Reading engineering drawings

Problem solving

Quality consciousness

Tools

CMM

ERP/MRP

Quality management systems

GD&T knowledge

IPC-A-610

Job description

The Quality Inspector will ensure the highest standards of product quality through accurate, independent and traceable inspection of electronic, cable/harness, fabricated and machined assemblies, coatings and finished products.

Working closely with Production and Engineering, the Quality Inspector will ensure compliance with drawings, specifications, customer requirements and AS9100 standards, while supporting AS9102 FAI, special-process and NADCAP requirements. With the authority to accept, reject or hold product and raise non-conformances, the Quality Inspector will play a vital role in preventing defects and ensuring only fully compliant products reach our customers.

Key Responsibilities

Inspection

• Carry out Goods Receipt Inspection of purchased parts, materials and components against purchase orders, drawings and specifications
• Verify part number, revision, quantity, identification, condition and required certification
• Carry out First-Off, In-Process and Final Inspection of manufactured products
• Inspect electronic assemblies to IPC-A-610 requirements
• Inspect cable and harness assemblies to IPC/WHMA-A-620 requirements
• Inspect fabricated, machined and mechanically assembled components against engineering drawings and specifications
• Interpret dimensional tolerances and GD&T requirements
• Carry out dimensional inspection using appropriate calibrated equipment, including verniers, micrometers, gauges and other measurement equipment
• Inspect coatings and surface treatments, including paint, powder coat, plating, anodising and other specified finishes
• Carry out coating thickness measurements and visual inspection where required
• Verify workmanship, configuration, identification and general condition of products
• Work in accordance with the company's AS9100 Quality Management System, procedures and inspection instructions
• Ensure only current and approved drawings, specifications and work instructions are used
• Maintain full product traceability, including part number, revision, serial/lot number, material and process certification where applicable
• Record accurate and objective evidence of conformity
• Support AS9102 First Article Inspection (FAI) activities
• Inspect and record dimensional, material, process and special characteristics required for FAI

Non-Conformance & Quality Records

• Identify, document and segregate non-conforming product
• Raise non-conformance reports with clear and objective descriptions of defects and measured resultsPrevent the release of product where conformity has not been demonstrated
• Support containment, root-cause investigation and corrective action activities
• Maintain accurate and traceable inspection records
• Provide inspection records and objective evidence during internal, customer and third-party audits

Calibration & Measurement

• Use only suitable and calibrated inspection equipment
• Verify calibration status before use
• Ensure equipment is appropriate for the required measurement accuracy
• Report damaged, suspect or out-of-calibration equipment immediately

Customer Requirements

• Ensure inspection activities comply with applicable customer drawings, specifications, purchase orders, quality clauses and customer-specific requirements
• Identify and escalte unclear or conflicting requirements
• Support customer and regulatory requirements relating to product conformity, traceability and certification

Required Experience & Qualifications

• Previous experience in a Quality Inspection / Manufacturing Inspection role
• Experience interpreting engineering drawings and specifications
• Experience using mechanical inspection and measurement equipment
• Good understanding of dimensional tolerances
• Ability to identify and document non-conforming product
• Good attention to detail and a methodical approach
• Ability to maintain accurate inspection records and product traceability
• IPC-A-610 & IPC/WHMA-A-620 certification
• AS9100 & AS9102 FAI experience
• Aerospace or defence manufacturing experience
• NADCAP/special-process experience
• Knowledge of GD&T
• Coating inspection experience, including coating thickness measurement
• Experience inspecting machined, fabricated and sheet-metal components
• Experience with CMM or other advanced inspection equipment
• Experience with ERP/MRP or quality management systems

Additional Information

SECURITY – All candidates must be in a position to obtain UK security clearance to SC level. Additional restrictions may apply on certain defence programmes.

UKSV National Security Vetting Solution: guidance for applicants – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)