Inspector / Trainer

Fender; Corona (CA); On-site; USD 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Equipment purchase program

Job summary

Fender Musical Instruments Corporation in Corona, CA is seeking an Inspector / Trainer to inspect finished guitars and components, evaluate playability, and train manufacturing staff on quality standards. You will document findings, support root-cause analyses, and help implement corrective actions to prevent defects.

The role requires playing guitar or bass, strong attention to detail, and experience with quality data systems like Excel and SAP.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 1 year of quality inspection experience in manufacturing; experience with wood products, paint/finishing, musical instruments, or electronics preferred.
• Ability to play guitar and/or bass is required.
• Ability to read and interpret drawings, specifications, work instructions, and quality criteria.
• Strong problem-solving, attention to detail, verbal communication, and written communication skills.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office; SAP experience preferred.
• Previous experience training, coaching, or providing technical guidance to production employees preferred.

Responsibilities

• Inspect finished guitars, basses, components, and manufacturing processes according to Fender Quality Engineering criteria and standards.
• Evaluate instruments for cosmetic, dimensional, functional, setup, and playability requirements before final acceptance.
• Play and evaluate guitars and basses to identify functional and playability concerns.
• Prepare inspection reports and maintain quality data using Excel and SAP.
• Support Quality Engineering, Manufacturing, Engineering, and NPI with process changes and new product introductions.
• Train employees on quality standards, inspection methods, defect recognition, and acceptance criteria.
• Provide coaching to production staff to reinforce consistent quality practices.
• Participate in plant quality-improvement initiatives and root-cause investigations.

Skills

Quality inspection

Play guitar/bass

Read drawings/specs

Problem solving

Verbal/written communication

Microsoft Office

SAP experience

Training/coaching

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Inspection tools

SAP

Job description

Fender Musical Instruments Corporation is a world-famous brand with offices across the globe. Fender was born in Southern California and has built a worldwide influence beyond the studio and the stage. A Fender is more than an instrument; it’s a cultural symbol that resonates globally.

We are currently searching for an exceptionalInspector / Trainer to join our team in Corona, CA. This position will be responsible for inspecting finished instruments, components, and manufacturing processes to ensure Fender products meet established quality, functional, cosmetic, and playability standards.

In addition to performing inspections, this person will serve as a quality resource and trainer for manufacturing employees by helping communicate quality expectations, demonstrating proper inspection techniques, reinforcing workmanship standards, and supporting the development of consistent quality practices throughout the factory.

Because this role evaluates the functionality, setup, feel, and playability of finished instruments, the ability to play guitar and/or bass is required.

Essential Functions:

• Inspect finished guitars, basses, components, and/or manufacturing processes according to established Quality Engineering criteria and Fender quality standards.
• Evaluate instruments for cosmetic, dimensional, functional, setup, and playability requirements before final acceptance.
• Play and evaluate guitars and basses as part of the inspection process to identify functional, setup, tonal, and playability concerns.
• Perform dimensional, functional, and process measurements using applicable inspection tools and established specifications.
• Identify, document, and communicate nonconforming material or workmanship and ensure issues are routed appropriately for corrective action or rework.
• Prepare inspection reports and maintain quality data using Microsoft Excel, SAP, and other applicable systems.
• Support Quality Engineering, Manufacturing, Engineering, and NPI with process changes, new product introductions, trials, and product evaluations.
• Serve as a quality resource to manufacturing teams by answering questions and clarifying workmanship, cosmetic, functional, and acceptance criteria.
• Train employees on established quality standards, inspection methods, defect recognition, workmanship expectations, and applicable inspection procedures.
• Provide coaching and feedback to production employees to reinforce consistent quality practices and help prevent recurring defects.
• Participate in plant quality-improvement initiatives, root-cause investigations, and corrective-action activities.
• Communicate recurring quality trends and concerns to Quality and Manufacturing leadership.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Minimum of 1 year of quality inspection experience in manufacturing; experience with wood products, paint/finishing, musical instruments, or electronics preferred.
• Ability to play guitar and/or bass is required.
• Ability to evaluate instrument setup, functionality, feel, and playability and distinguish conditions that do not meet established standards.
• Ability to read and interpret drawings, specifications, work instructions, and quality criteria.
• Strong problem-solving, attention-to-detail, verbal communication, and written communication skills.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office; SAP experience preferred.
• Previous experience training, coaching, or providing technical guidance to production employees preferred.

About Fender Musical Instruments

Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) is one of the world’s leading musical instrument manufacturers, marketers and distributors, whose portfolio of brands includes Fender®, Squier®, Gretsch®, Jackson®, EVH®, Charvel® and Groove Tubes®, among others. For more information, visit www.fender.com .

FMIC offers a competitive benefits package which includes medical, dental, 401(k), paid time off, and an equipment purchase program to help you get the band back together.

Fender Musical Instruments Corporation is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, gender, age, color, religion, disability, veterans’ status, sexual orientation, or any other protected factor.

Fender is required by law in certain jurisdictions to include a pay scale in the job posting for this position. “Pay scale” means the salary or hourly wage range that Fender reasonably expects to pay for this position; it is neither a promise nor a guarantee of the compensation that the successful candidate will receive.

The pay scale for this position takes into account the wide range of factors that Fender considers in making compensation decisions, including, without limitation: skill set, experience and training, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. Subject to the foregoing, the current pay scale for this position is $19 to $23 per hour.

#LI-Onsite

As set forth in Fender’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.