Inspector

PDS Tech Commercial; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 73,000 - 84,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

401K plan

Commuter benefits

Job summary

PDS Tech Commercial is seeking a highly motivated Senior Quality Control Inspector to support a cutting-edge spaceflight program in Irvine, CA. This role directly impacts flight safety and mission success by ensuring every component meets strict quality and regulatory standards before flight.

You will inspect engines, avionics, and flight hardware, generate NCRs, review manufacturing records, and provide guidance to other inspectors while upholding a culture of safety and accountability.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in aerospace parts and components.
• Hands-on experience in a manufacturing, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), or airline environment.
• Strong knowledge of inspection standards, techniques, and QMS requirements.
• Ability to read, interpret, and evaluate manufacturing documentation and work instructions.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently while collaborating across teams.
• Proven commitment to safety, quality, and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Perform scheduled inspections to ensure workmanship meets industry standards and complies with Manufacturing (MFG) Work Instructions.
• Conduct preliminary, in-progress, and final inspections on all processed articles.
• Review manufacturing records, work orders, and forms for completeness and accuracy prior to release for return to service.
• Inspect for defects, damage, identification, and dimensional accuracy using measurement tools and inspection techniques.
• Follow and document complex inspection processes, entering inspection results and quality data accurately.
• Apply inspection methods to determine quality and airworthiness in alignment with safety protocols.
• Communicate inspection results and acceptance criteria with engineering, management, and production teams.

Skills

Inspection standards

QMS requirements

Documentation reading

Communication skills

Independent work

Team collaboration

Education

High School Diploma

Tools

TipQA

Apriso

Job description

Inspect What Takes Humanity to Space: Senior Quality Control Inspector

PDS Tech Commercial | Partnering with a Leader in the Spaceflight Industry

Location: Irvine, CA | Schedule: 1st shift 6am-4:30pm | Pay Rate: $35- $40, A&P license up to $42/hour

PDS Tech Commercial is seeking a highly motivated Senior Quality Control Inspector to support a cutting-edge spaceflight program. Guided by the core value of “Safety Above All,” this role is critical to ensuring the integrity, airworthiness, and reliability of human spaceflight assets.

As a Senior Inspector, your work will directly impact flight safety and mission success—verifying that every component, system, and structure meets the highest quality and regulatory standards before taking to the skies.

Your Impact

You will serve as a key quality authority across spacecraft and flight hardware, inspecting everything from engines and avionics to complete flying assets. Through rigorous inspections, documentation, and collaboration, you will help proactively manage the risks inherent in spaceflight and uphold a culture of accountability, precision, and safety.

What You’ll Do

Day-to-day responsibilities include:

• Performing scheduled inspections to ensure workmanship meets industry standards and complies with Manufacturing (MFG) Work Instructions
• Conducting preliminary, in-progress, and final inspections on all processed articles
• Reviewing manufacturing records, work orders, and forms for completeness and accuracy prior to release for return to service
• Inspecting for defects, damage, identification, and dimensional accuracy using a variety of measurement tools and inspection techniques
• Following and documenting complex inspection processes, entering inspection results and quality data accurately
• Applying appropriate inspection methods to determine quality and airworthiness in alignment with strict safety protocols
• Communicating inspection results and acceptance criteria clearly with engineering, management, and production teams
• Generating Non-Conformance Reports (NCRs) in TipQA and/or Apriso
• Performing receiving inspections on incoming materials as required
• Ensuring proper tagging, identification, quarantine, and disposition of rejected or non-repairable parts
• Leading or supporting technical investigations and Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) activities
• Supporting quality projects and assisting the Quality Control Supervisor with departmental initiatives
• Providing technical guidance and training to other Quality Inspectors
• Maintaining strict Foreign Object Debris (FOD) awareness and prevention
• Actively participating in safety programs, investigations, and hazard reporting
• Working collaboratively across teams to ensure quality, efficiency, and on-time execution

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in a related field, including aerospace parts and components
• Hands-on experience in a manufacturing, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), or airline environment
• Strong knowledge of inspection standards, techniques, and Quality Management System (QMS) requirements
• Ability to read, interpret, and evaluate manufacturing documentation and work instructions
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to work independently while collaborating across teams
• Proven commitment to safety, quality, and attention to detail

Preferred Qualifications

• Senior-level inspection experience supporting flight hardware or flying assets
• Experience with electronic QMS tools such as TipQA and/or Apriso
• Experience leading technical investigations or quality improvement projects
• Prior experience mentoring or training inspectors
• Familiarity with aerospace regulatory and airworthiness requirements

Why Join PDS Tech Commercial?

• Support a human spaceflight mission
• Work with industry-leading engineers, technicians, and flight systems
• Be part of a safety-first, accountability-driven culture
• Make a real impact on the quality and reliability of next-generation space vehicles

Ready to Help Build the Future of Spaceflight?

If you’re a seasoned quality professional who takes pride in precision, safety, and mission success, we want to hear from you.

Pay Details:

$35.00 to $40.00 per hour

Benefit offerings available for our associates include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, additional voluntary benefits, EAP program, commuter benefits and a 401K plan. Our benefit offerings provide employees the flexibility to choose the type of coverage that meets their individual needs. In addition, our associates may be eligible for paid leave including Paid Sick Leave or any other paid leave required by Federal, State, or local law, as well as Holiday pay where applicable.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

Military connected talent encouraged to apply

To read our Candidate Privacy Information Statement, which explains how we will use your information, please navigate to https://www.pdstech.com/candidate-privacy

The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable:

• The California Fair Chance Act
• Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance
• Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers
• San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Massachusetts Candidates Only: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.