Quality Inspection Technician, PCBA

Northwood; Torrance (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Northwood Space is hiring an Incoming Quality Technician to manage the daily operations of the Incoming Inspection Room. You will verify PCB/PCBA and machined parts against drawings and IPC criteria, maintain ESD controls, and coordinate with SQE and Engineering to prevent nonconforming material from production.

You will support engineering samples, prototypes, and first articles, conduct Gage R&R studies, and share data to drive DFM improvements and supplier investigations.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of hands-on incoming or quality inspection experience with PCB/PCBA and/or mechanical parts, including working knowledge of IPC-A-600 / IPC-A-610 acceptance criteria and ESD controls and handling practices.
• Proficiency in interpreting PCB/PCBA and complex mechanical engineering drawings, including GD&T, datum references, dimensional tolerances, and critical characteristics; ability to follow risk-based inspection plans, including 100% inspection and AQL sampling.
• Hands-on proficiency with precision measurement and inspection equipment, including handheld tools, VMMs, optical inspection systems, and custom fixtures, plus experience managing calibration schedules, status tracking, and records.

Responsibilities

• Inspect incoming PCB/PCBA and mechanical parts against drawings, specifications, approved inspection plans, and applicable IPC-A-600 and IPC-A-610 criteria, using critical-characteristic checks, 100% inspection, or AQL sampling as specified.
• Apply Northwood Space’s T1 (Production) and T2 (Engineering/R&D) part pedigree requirements; verify supplier CoCs, inspection reports, traceability records, and applicable FAI/PPAP documentation and approval status.
• Manage the Incoming Inspection Room, including measurement tools, equipment, custom fixtures, calibration schedules, records, and calibration providers; maintain ESD controls and handling practices in accordance with ANSI/ESD S20.20.
• Record inspection results and material traceability in the manufacturing system; identify and transfer nonconforming material to the MRB cage and coordinate disposition with the Supplier Quality Engineer (SQE) and Responsible Engineer (RE).
• Provide dimensional measurement, inspection, and product verification support for engineering samples, prototypes, and first articles; conduct Gage R&R studies to verify measurement system capability.
• Share inspection data and feedback with Engineering and suppliers to support drawing corrections, design for manufacturability (DFM) improvements, and supplier quality investigations.

Skills

IPC inspection criteria

GD&T interpretation

Dimensional measurement

NCR/MRB processes

ESD controls

Tools

VMMs

Optical inspection systems

CMM

Handheld measurement tools

Custom fixtures

ERP/MES systems

Job description

About Northwood

Northwood is a modern space infrastructure company bringing the benefits of space to the masses through advanced communications technology. We are building a global network of phased array and parabolic ground stations that enable real-time, reliable communication for satellite missions such as national security, global connectivity, and disaster response. With a vertically integrated approach, Northwood designs, builds, and rapidly deploys scalable systems that power the next generation of space missions. If you like solving complex challenges and seeing your work deployed around the world with real impact, Northwood is the place to do it.

About Northwood

Northwood is a modern space infrastructure company bringing the benefits of space to the masses through advanced communications technology. We are building a global network of phased array and parabolic ground stations that enable real-time, reliable communication for satellite missions such as national security, global connectivity, and disaster response. With a vertically integrated approach, Northwood designs, builds, and rapidly deploys scalable systems that power the next generation of space missions. If you like solving complex challenges and seeing your work deployed around the world with real impact, Northwood is the place to do it.

About Northwood

Northwood is a modern space infrastructure company bringing the benefits of space to the masses through advanced communications technology. We are building a global network of phased array ground stations that enable real-time, reliable communication for satellite missions such as national security, global connectivity, and disaster response. With a vertically integrated approach, Northwood designs, builds, and rapidly deploys scalable systems that power the next generation of space missions. If you like solving complex challenges and seeing your work deployed around the world with real impact, Northwood is the place to do it.

Role

The Incoming Quality Technician manages daily operations of the Incoming Inspection Room, including inspection tools, fixtures, calibration, and ESD controls. The technician verifies incoming PCBs, PCBAs, machined and welded mechanical parts, and other supplier materials against drawings and approved inspection requirements. The role works with Supplier Quality (SQE) and Engineering to resolve inspection issues and prevent nonconforming material from entering production. The technician also supports engineering samples, product verification, and drawing and DFM improvements through accurate measurement data.

Responsibilities

• Inspect incoming PCB/PCBA and mechanical parts against drawings, specifications, approved inspection plans, and applicable IPC-A-600 and IPC-A-610 criteria, using critical-characteristic checks, 100% inspection, or AQL sampling as specified.
• Apply Northwood Space’s T1 (Production) and T2 (Engineering/R&D) part pedigree requirements; verify supplier CoCs, inspection reports, traceability records, and applicable FAI/PPAP documentation and approval status.
• Manage the Incoming Inspection Room, including measurement tools, equipment, custom fixtures, calibration schedules, records, and calibration providers; maintain ESD controls and handling practices in accordance with ANSI/ESD S20.20.
• Record inspection results and material traceability in the manufacturing system; identify and transfer nonconforming material to the MRB cage and coordinate disposition with the Supplier Quality Engineer (SQE) and Responsible Engineer (RE).
• Provide dimensional measurement, inspection, and product verification support for engineering samples, prototypes, and first articles; conduct Gage Repeatability and Reproducibility (Gage R&R) studies to verify measurement system capability.
• Share inspection data and feedback with Engineering and suppliers to support drawing corrections, design for manufacturability (DFM) improvements, and supplier quality investigations.

Basic Qualifications

• 3+ years of hands-on incoming or quality inspection experience with PCB/PCBA and/or mechanical parts, including working knowledge of IPC-A-600 / IPC-A-610 acceptance criteria and ESD controls and handling practices.
• Proficiency in interpreting PCB/PCBA and complex mechanical engineering drawings, including GD&T, datum references, dimensional tolerances, and critical characteristics; ability to follow risk-based inspection plans, including 100% inspection and AQL sampling.
• Hands-on proficiency with precision measurement and inspection equipment, including handheld tools, VMMs, optical inspection systems, and custom fixtures, plus experience managing calibration schedules, status tracking, and records.
• Experience identifying and documenting nonconforming materials, communicating quality issues to Supplier Quality (SQE) and Engineering, and using Manufacturo or similar ERP/MES systems to record inspection results, maintain material traceability, and manage NCR/MRB processes.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in aerospace, high-reliability electronics, or electromechanical manufacturing; familiarity with AS9100.
• Experience managing calibration programs, using ISO/IEC 17025-accredited calibration providers, and supporting Gage R&R or other measurement system studies.
• Familiarity with APQP, PPAP, AS9102 FAI, and different quality and inspection requirements based on part pedigree as (Production) and (Engineering/R&D).
• Experience with PCB/ PCBA inspection (e.g., bow/twist, holes, plating, surface finish) and mechanical machining or weld inspection.
• IPC-A-600 or IPC-A-610 certification.
• Experience with CMM

Additional Information

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Northwood is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Northwood is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Additional Information

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Northwood Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Northwood Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, colour, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

If you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know at [e-mail]