Senior Incoming Quality Inspector – PCB/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

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.