What Does A Quality Inspector Do?

WHAT DOES A QUALITY INSPECTOR DO?

Published: Sep 16, 2025 - The Quality Inspector improves manufacturing processes in an industrial plant by recommending production methods that enhance efficiency and ensure adherence to quality standards. This role collaborates with cross-functional teams to identify root causes of non-conformities, implement process improvements, and support QA engineering in feasibility studies for resolving manufacturing issues. The inspector also conducts inspections and testing of materials and equipment, interprets blueprints and GD&T, utilizes software to analyze data, and maintains documentation to support compliance and continuous improvement initiatives.

A Review of Professional Skills and Functions for Quality Inspector

1. Quality Inspector Duties

Inspection Skills: Perform visual, routine, and complex inspections using standard and sophisticated gauges or tools
Certification Verification: Verify supplier material certifications, including special processes, and ensure compliance with quality or PO requirements
Defect Identification: Identify workmanship material defects and process discrepant material in accordance with appropriate quality procedures
Article Verification: Verify the first articles from suppliers and internal departments
Record Preparation: Prepare and process records and reports to document supplier or operations performance
Supplier Qualification: Qualify supplier components and systems for assuring a conforming product
Calibration Compliance: Adhere to the calibration system of inspection, measuring, and test equipment
Quality Control: Apply statistical quality control techniques
Specification Interpretation: Assist with the interpretation of drawings, specifications, and quality requirements
Goods Processing: Properly process goods for outside processing and investigate and evaluate parts returned and nonconforming product
Certification Preparation: Prepare certification documentation upon request from customers or internal users

2. Quality Inspector Details

Receiving Inspection: Perform receiving inspection per QMS documentation
Final Inspection: Perform assembly and test final inspection
Process Inspection: Perform process and first article inspections (AS9102 and PPAP)
Equipment Calibration: Ensure that all measurement equipment is registered, calibrated, and maintained
Quality Checks: Ensure that all quality and in-process checks are conducted as planned
Documentation Control: Ensure associated documentation is implemented effectively and maintained
Component Inspection: Perform regular quality checks of components using manual and electronic measuring instruments (micrometers, calipers, surface plate, etc.)
QMS Maintenance: Maintain QMS documentation and records
Adaptability Skills: Adapt to changing situations, reprioritize, and successfully pursue given objectives
Program Support: Perform program support functions on multiple projects concurrently

3. Quality Inspector Responsibilities

Fixture Verification: Confirm that process fixtures and tools are present and in working condition
Process Verification: Verify all required processes and part specification data sheets are up to date with process requirements
Document Lookup: Look up drawings, BOM, and work instructions in the computer system
Drawing Interpretation: Read and understand basic drawing call-outs and identify critical quality characteristics
Part Testing: Perform dimensional, visual, and functional testing on parts
System Training: Complete basic E10 (Epicore) training to track parts through the computer system
Data Recording: Inspect and record data from sample parts and submit reports
Defect Containment: Contain all nonconforming parts if a quality defect is detected during the inspection process
Issue Resolution: Interact with others to resolve quality issues
Defect Repair: Implement repair or containment procedures for quality defects
Equipment Proficiency: Read and understand the use of precision measuring equipment
Incoming Inspection: Perform incoming inspection on products and maintain acceptance data

4. Quality Inspector Job Summary

Process Inspection: Perform inspections, checks, testing, and sampling procedures for product manufacturing processes
Manufacturing Inspection: Carry out manufacturing inspections and sampling of incoming components and raw materials to ensure that company standards are met
Calibration Verification: Verify equipment and instrumentation calibration and ensure proper disposition when found to be past due
Acceptance Preparation: Prepare product acceptance package and create acceptance ticket for product stores
Procedure Support: Assist with inputs to the inspection procedure development or revision
Material Approval: Approve or reject bulk raw materials once analytical data is evaluated
Drawing Proficiency: Be proficient in reading engineering drawings and reading material specifications
System Verification: Interface with various portals and systems to verify part requirements (rejections, quality alerts, first article, etc.)
Rejection Reporting: Create rejection reports for the product being found non-conforming
Team Collaboration: Collaborate with engineering and quality teams to clear up misunderstandings in part requirements
Certification Validation: Validate the accuracy of product certification documentation and ensure part specification requirements are met
Inspection Training: Apply inspection training to ensure the measurement accuracy and repeatability of parts

5. Quality Inspector Accountabilities

Supplier Inspection: Organize and carry out supplier product inspections
Calibration Support: Support the management of the calibration process within the ERP system
Engineering Support: Support engineering with supplier-related issues
Documentation Verification: Verify supplier documentation, create customer certification, and assist quality engineers with customer returns
Article Verification: Carry out first article and first-off dimensional and visual verification using conventional metrology, gauging, and coordinate measuring machines
Drawing Competency: Be fully competent in reading and understanding engineering drawings, including knowledge and understanding of geometric tolerances
Report Updating: Update nonconformance reports and inspection results on the ERP system
Process Auditing: Audit and sample semi-finished production parts during in-process checks

6. Quality Inspector Functions

Reliability Improvement: Maintain and improve FAC reliability through a comprehensive quality management process
Problem Resolution: Assist manufacturing and engineering in gathering data for resolving problems detected during production and final quality inspections
Quality Auditing: Conduct random quality audits on production processes and assemblies for compliance and effectiveness
Process Improvement: Author updates and recommends improvements to manufacturing processes
Process Understanding: Understand the manufacturing paint build and test process by the work center
Plan Navigation: Navigate through all manufacturing control plans
Specification Identification: Identify the difference between guidelines and engineering specifications
Process Support: Support other quality processes and procedures
Data Review: Review data collection for passing results of product EX (defined) testing specifications
Workmanship Monitoring: Monitor work-in-process to ensure compliance with manufacturing workmanship standards
Defect Communication: Communicate non-conforming material conditions to the appropriate engineer
Issue Investigation: Investigate and report findings in a comprehensive yet simple communication method
System Support: Support quality system procedures for operations and corporate quality

7. Quality Inspector Job Description

Process Improvement: Improve manufacturing processes in an industrial plant through recommendations for production methods to support efficiency and quality
Root Cause Analysis: Collaborate with production teams and management to determine root causes of non-conformities
Process Development: Collaborate with production teams and management to develop and implement process improvements to meet quality standards
Feasibility Support: Support the QA production engineer to perform feasibility studies to solve manufacturing problems
Blueprint Reading: Read blueprints and specifications to ensure that operations meet production standards
Material Inspection: Inspect and test the materials and equipment produced
Documentation Support: Create necessary documentation and aid in communication to personnel
Technical Support: Serve as a resource for answering and solving more complex technical questions related to manufacturing and quality processes
Specification Assurance: Ensure that the organization's processes and equipment are adequate to meet product specifications
Software Proficiency: Demonstrate in-depth understanding and competency in working with computer software and mainframe applications to manipulate, analyze, and reconcile data
GD&T Application: Apply fundamental knowledge of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T)
PDCA Application: Effectively apply the PDCA process to identify potential process improvements
Nonconformance Tracking: Track all non-conforming products from incoming material and production activities
Data Presentation: Present material and data during the board meeting and execute the identified disposition

8. Quality Inspector Overview

Quality Assurance: Be responsible for controlling the quality assurance of dispatch products produced through product and process audit, while ensuring compliance with the requirements of ISO9001 associated control systems and processes
Line Auditing: Ensure regular audits on assembly lines are carried out and initiate corrective actions with local quality supervision
Instruction Verification: Ensure local work instructions, process control records, and testing records are correct as part of regular audit
Data Analysis: Use audit data and non-conforming products to obtain information on quality assurance
Product Isolation: Complete “Hold” labels with relevant information and isolate the product on hold effectively from the good product
Compliance Support: Work with local quality management and the line manager to ensure employees and operatives adhere to work instructions, policies, and procedures
Data Accuracy: Ensure that quality data on the performance of products and processes is accurate and that action is taken on quality assurance deviations
Control Planning: Ensure quality control plans are in place for the product and regularly audited
Scrap Monitoring: Monitor in-process red scrap bins and report excessive line rejects to the local quality team and line manager
Training Auditing: Regularly audit training records of operatives to perform assembly and test tasks per work instructions and ensure that they are approved and signed off by local quality management
Nonconformance Control: Ensure local non-conforming product is quarantined and controlled
Instruction Support: Work with the line manager to support and ensure work instructions are in place before the commencement of trials or volume production
Record Management: Ensure training records for all operators are in place

9. Quality Inspector Details and Accountabilities

Quality Inspection: Perform quality inspections and verification, partially with the installation subcontractor and customer representatives
Site Presentation: Prepare and conduct the quality site kick-off presentation
Workmanship Assessment: Witness and assess workmanship practices to verify and ensure quality levels
KPI Reporting: Report quality performance, including key performance indicator (KPI) reporting
Nonconformance Management: Report, manage, and follow up on non-conformance workflows and records
System Support: Support the site organisation in the use of the non-conformance system
Documentation Verification: Receive, verify, and upload as-built quality documentation
Traceability Maintenance: Maintain wind turbine traceability within the wind farm pre-assembly, installation, and commissioning phases

10. Quality Inspector Tasks

Procedure Review: Review procedure manuals, contract drawings, project specifications, codes and standards, and ensure all construction processes are in accordance with the contract, including the quality management system (QMS) procedures
Personnel Oversight: Assist in the oversight of the contractor’s field quality personnel to ensure the contractor's quality personnel are performing their duties and responsibilities according to the contractor’s QMS and the contract
Inspection Monitoring: Oversee and perform regular checks on the contractor’s construction inspection and testing progress and results to ensure compliance with contract requirements
Diary Preparation: Prepare a daily construction operations diary and other reports
Nonconformance Oversight: Assist with the oversight of the design builder’s contract non-conformance program and assist with management of the PCM non-conformance oversight program
Compliance Identification: Identify construction contract compliance issues that develop
Deficiency Reporting: Identify and report deficiencies and deviations from contract specifications and drawings, maintain a log of non-complying work, and monitor the re-work and repair progress of the non-complying work
Third-Party Compliance: Assist with the oversight of adherence to the design-build contractor’s compliance with the third-party quality requirements in the third-party right of way
Standards Deployment: Assist with the deployment of company-wide quality standards, best practices, policies, and procedures
Surveillance Support: Assist the quality oversight manager with the PCM construction surveillance program

11. Quality Inspector Roles

Manufacturing Inspection: Perform quality inspections at all stages of manufacturing, including incoming materials
Article Inspection: Participate in first article inspection, first production inspection, and ongoing inspection plans that are aligned with the supplier's capabilities, quality history, and product needs
QMS Compliance: Know, understand, and follow the quality management system
Measurement Reporting: Ensure all quality measurements are recorded, documented, and properly reported
Engineering Support: Support quality engineering activities during product development, including purchased material quality issues, scheduled quality checks, Cpk studies, supplier audits, and supplier quality metrics activities
Process Monitoring: Continuously monitor the manufacturing process and provide feedback to the department of quality and regulatory affairs, as well as to technicians, engineers, leads, and supervisors
Issue Resolution: Support quality goals by facilitating permanent quality issue resolution using RCA and 8D-based SCAR process, analyzing and interpreting data
Stakeholder Communication: Communicate timelines and progress with both internal and external stakeholders
Employee Support: Support new and experienced employees to improve their job skills to enhance quality goals
Certification Documentation: Organize and support documentation related to regulatory certifications and other duties

12. Quality Inspector Additional Details

Direction Following: Understand and carry out oral and written directions
Priority Setting: Set work priorities to meet production goals as scheduled per the assigned department
Board Updating: Update production tracking board
Design Reporting: Report deficiencies in design and suggest improvements in design and assembly technique
Final Sign-off: Be responsible for the final cosmetic sign-off
Warranty Reporting: Report warrantable items on units in detail
Option Verification: Be responsible for verifying options for orders
DPU Reporting: Be responsible for completing the DPU report
Rule Compliance: Comply with all the rules of conduct and attendance per the company
Waste Handling: Ensure that hazardous waste that is handled is placed into the proper containers
Spill Response: Know spill response procedures and evacuation routes
Defect Entry: Enter defects and errors into the computer
Report Printing: Print computer-generated reports
Instruction Following: Follow departmental work instructions

13. Quality Inspector Essential Functions

Nonconformance Support: Work with manufacturing and build teams to ensure supplier non-conformances are clearly understood
Stock Quarantine: Work with stores and logistics teams and use SAP to ensure all suspect stock is identified and quarantined for inspection
Inspection Development: Work with supplier quality engineers, supplier representatives, and build and manufacturing teams to develop an appropriate inspection method
Part Inspection: Carry out inspections and support supplier representatives to carry out inspections of their parts onsite
Quarantine Processing: Correctly process all quarantined parts based on the results of the inspection, both in SAP and physically, including returning conforming parts to stock, preparing reject parts for return to the supplier, and documenting rework
Fault Documentation: Document all activities in the fault reporting system
Goods Inspection: Support goods inwards inspection activities, verifying the conformance of parts as received from suppliers
Containment Support: Support internal quality teams with containment activities caused by internal issues
Housekeeping Standards: Maintain excellent levels of housekeeping
Standards Conformity: Ensure conformity to standards, production techniques, and conformance to the quality management system
Safety Consideration: Consider the health and safety, environmental, and energy impact of all activities
Data Compliance: Support compliance with the Data Protection Act 2018, following policy and best practice
Duty Flexibility: Undertake any other duties or activities reasonably requested to meet departmental or company goals

14. Quality Inspector Role Purpose

Quality Inspection: Inspect, monitor, and document product quality
Product Approval: Be responsible for ensuring finished products are inspected, meet specifications, and are approved
QA Presence: Be responsible for ensuring adequate QA presence on each manufacturing line and other assignments
Record Review: Review work orders and batch records for each finished product to ensure that all materials have been accurately documented and reflect the actual materials used to create the finished product
Line Monitoring: Monitor the production line to ensure each line is following required SOPs, work orders, and product specifications
Record Documentation: Document the review and approval of batch records and products per SOPs
Inventory Auditing: Conduct inventory audits, incoming inspection, monitor temperature, and ensure accurate labeling and packaging
Incident Analysis: Report, investigate, and analyze potential quality incidents
Issue Reporting: Daily document and report all quality issues that fail to meet the requirements of the BOM for the product
Failure Investigation: Investigate failures and discuss with management possible solutions that might prevent the error from recurring

15. Quality Inspector General Responsibilities

Process Monitoring: Follow, monitor, and control performance indicators of the quality processes
Root Cause Analysis: Assist and support in the non-conformities, including root cause analysis, 5 whys, 8D, and 6M methodologies
Material Control: Support the quality engineer in controlling the quality of all incoming materials, in-process, and outgoing inspection
NC Resolution: Resolve on-site and internal NCs
Inspection Leadership: Lead and control all goods in and out inspection
Checklist Creation: Create process checklists and coordinate quality inspections with production and shop floor operators
Instruction Control: Help control manufacturing instructions, ensuring that the information is always current and accurate
Production Stoppage: Stop production if the quality required by the product specification is not adequate

16. Quality Inspector Key Accountabilities

Manufacturing Inspection: Conduct quality inspections of manufacturing and assembly
Receiving Inspection: Conduct receiving inspections of incoming goods
Quality Training: Develop training to build quality awareness throughout manufacturing
Compliance Leadership: Provide leadership in compliance areas of internal auditing and TL9000 documentation
Process Improvement: Execute continuous improvement of QA receiving inspection and QA floor auditing
Supplier Monitoring: Monitor and communicate supplier quality performance metrics
Supplier Auditing: Assist with supplier audits and issue recommendations and requests for corrective action
Nonconformance Analysis: Assist manufacturing engineering in the analysis of product non-conformance, customer complaints, and internal complaints
Root Cause Correction: Address non-conformance and complaints with the identification of a root cause with root cause correction
Project Support: Complete other job-related duties and special projects

17. Quality Inspector Roles and Details

Product Examination: Examine manufactured products, primarily automotive parts, to ensure the parts meet all standards of presentation and quality
Specification Study: Study product specifications and work instructions
Part Verification: Perform visual, mechanical, and functional verification of parts to ensure compliance with set specifications and quality standards
Judgment Making: Make independent judgments for subjective calls
Defect Recording: Collect and record accurate data regarding defects
Defect Isolation: Tag and isolate defective material
Defect Justification: Provide a description or justification for defective material
Safety Compliance: Comply with relevant local health and safety legislation
Policy Compliance: Comply with local and company health and safety legislation, laws, and policies

18. Quality Inspector Responsibilities and Key Tasks

Part Inspection: Inspect parts and products to customer, company, and supplier dimensional drawings and standards
Product Testing: Perform destructive and non-destructive testing such as proof load, break tests, electrical resistance tests, and elongation tests on the product under inspection
Report Generation: Generate inspection reports, maintain and control inspection records
NCR Management: Be responsible for the completion of NCRs and investigations by the manager
Personnel Training: Support, train, and mentor personnel and inspection trainees
Workplace Safety: Keep a safe and clean environment and follow the safety rules of the production floor
Compliance Auditing: Perform compliance assessments and audits
Third-Party Support: Accompany third-party inspectors for validation of test reports and for witnessing purposes

19. Quality Inspector Duties and Roles

Blueprint Reading: Read blueprints and instructions to comprehend the quality expectations for the product and supplies
Material Approval: Approve or reject raw materials with respect to quality standards and record supplier performance
Product Examination: Conduct examinations and quality control inspections on products, materials, and components
PCB Inspection: Perform inspection of printed circuit boards and wire and cable assembly
AOI Operation: Operate the AOI machine scanning components on primary and secondary sides of the circuit assembly and identify defects during the AOI process
Sample Testing: Select output samples and check them using appropriate methods, such as measuring dimensions, testing functionality, and comparing to specifications
System Testing: Use automated systems to perform complex testing procedures
Record Maintenance: Maintain records of testing, information, and various metrics such as the number of defective products per day
Cycle Inspection: Inspect procedures of the entire production cycle to ensure they are efficient and comply with safety standards
Equipment Monitoring: Monitor the use of equipment to ensure it is safe and well-maintained and discard any that does not meet requirements
Report Preparation: Prepare and submit reports to the quality manager

20. Quality Inspector Roles and Responsibilities

Equipment Operation: Use advanced inspection equipment such as height gauge, optical comparator, gauge blocks and pins, super micrometer, bore gages, coordinate-measuring machine (CMM), and hardness tester
Component Identification: Identify component types and values, as well as placement
Workmanship Inspection: Perform visual inspection of general product workmanship
Blueprint Reading: Use basic blueprint reading skills to interpret drawings and documents
System Utilization: Use the computer to access documents, enter data into the quality system, Word documents, databases, the MRI/ERE system, and other items
Setup Verification: Perform basic first piece set-up verification on various machines, such as VCD, SMT, and CNC, in accordance with the supplied process routers
Data Collection: Collect and review in-process quality data
Inspection Reporting: Perform and prepare first piece inspection, receiving, in-process, and final inspection reports
NCR Management: Manage non-conformance reports and prepare corrective action requests
Action Validation: Perform validation and effectiveness measurements for corrective actions implemented
PCB Inspection: Inspect bare printed circuit boards
Material Management: Maintain customer-supplied material, track customer repairs and returns, and maintain the hazardous material database

21. Quality Inspector Duties

Final Inspection: Perform visual, dimensional, mechanical, and electrical inspection utilizing standard documentation, procedures, and precision measuring devices to support final inspection
Conformance Decision: Accept or reject for conformance to standards and specifications
Standards Verification: Verify compliance with applicable standards and other approved documentation
Assembly Inspection: Inspect completed assemblies
Professional Communication: Communicate professionally and effectively with internal customers
Data Entry: Perform QC data entry into production ERP and MES software systems
NCR Creation: Create nonconforming material reports
Standards Interpretation: Interpret and understand PCB and PCBA workmanship standards and component identification (J-STD-001, IPC-600, IPC-610, IPC-620, etc.)
Clear Writing: Write clear and concise communication, including emails, documentation, and quality records
Independent Work: Work both independently and in a team environment
Team Attitude: Possess a team-building attitude
Article Processing: Process and approve manufacturing first article inspections
Tool Utilization: Use various measuring tools, such as micrometers, height gauges, rulers, gauges, and dial and digital calipers

22. Quality Inspector Details

Drawing Interpretation: Read and interpret applicable mechanical drawings and specifications
Equipment Selection: Select and utilize inspection equipment to perform the required inspection and testing
Report Completion: Complete inspection reports
Component Inspection: Perform receiving, in-process, and final inspection on customer-supplied and purchased components and materials
Process Auditing: Perform quality in-process audits by approved work instructions
First Piece Inspection: Perform first piece inspections by the IMS or work instruction package (WIP) or customer specifications
Process Monitoring: Monitor the production process for compliance with all quality, manufacturing, and engineering work instructions and specifications
Equipment Check: Check all measurement and test equipment for acceptable condition and adherence to calibration work instructions
NCMR Reporting: Notify all appropriate personnel of quality-related concerns and complete non-conforming material reports (NCMR)
Professional Interaction: Interact with other quality, manufacturing, engineering, and management personnel professionally
Customer Support: Assist other company functions in meeting customer requirements

23. Quality Inspector Responsibilities

Lot Quality: Be responsible for the quality of incoming and outgoing lots from IQA to FQA station, including in-process controls through line audits, ensuring strict application of specifications or standards relative to internal and customer requirements
SOP Compliance: Follow all operational SOPs, 5S, and safety requirements that are implemented in the line and understand company policy and procedures
Issue Disposition: Provide disposition on major quality issues with supervision
Task Execution: Perform major tasks such as quality reports and filing OT or LV assigned by the supervisor
Report Preparation: Prepare regular quality reports for the immediate superior
Audit Verification: Conduct an in-line audit and verification of the corrective action defined in the 8D report
Department Support: Provide support to other departments on the monitoring of product evaluation and machine buy-off
Quality Alerts: Provide quality alerts to all assembly-related issues and follow up on the 8D report
Return Processing: Provide return part form (RPF) for all devices with quality issues and required retest
Performance Release: Prepare and release weekly QAF performance for support validation

24. Quality Inspector Job Summary

Risk Assessment: Perform real-time risk assessment and sufficiently control suspected non-conforming finished products, raw materials, and packaging components
Material Oversight: Provide oversight to ensure appropriate segregation of non-conforming material and resolution of the product to resolve the customer product pipeline
Training Support: Provide initial training to new QA inspectors and assist other departments with necessary training that pertains to functional aspects of the quality management system (QMS)
Onboarding Development: Develop, maintain, and routinely evaluate onboarding requirements for QA inspectors
QA Coverage: Assist with daily and weekend QA coverage to support production activities
Batch Review: Assist with the review and release of batch records to support on-time delivery
Inspector Mentorship: Provide coaching and mentorship to QA inspectors and serve as the initial point of contact for production issue resolution
Policy Compliance: Comply with company policies, procedures, work instructions, and training requirements, focusing on customer service, production, and quality
Customer Focus: Keep customer interests and regulatory requirements in mind, ensure customer needs are met by reviewing order requirements, customer documentation requirements, proper filling and assembly requirements, and ensure that other technicians understand and follow documented procedures and GMP requirements
Requirement Assurance: Ensure customer requirements are met
Adherence Verification: Verify adherence to policies, procedures, and work instructions

25. Quality Inspector Accountabilities

Documentation Review: Review production documentation for accuracy, completeness, and GDP compliance
Order Correction: Assist in correcting order issues and ensure actions that are taken are appropriate
Issue Communication: Communicate issues and concerns to the area owner and the direct manager
Action Effectiveness: Ensure actions taken to resolve production issues and concerns are effective
Audit Readiness: Ensure that the area is in a state of audit readiness at all times
Task Inspection: Perform inspection tasks by following established work instructions and procedures, using required tools, methods, and equipment to determine the acceptability of product, components, and documentation
Process Inspection: Perform pre-fill, in-process, and final inspections with the aid of documented work instructions and inspection information
Production Stoppage: Stop production when a non-conformance (NCM) is observed and follow appropriate NCM procedures
NCM Documentation: Document non-conformances following applicable procedures and work instructions
Issue Trending: Document and trend any quality production issues discovered during the course of inspection duties
Workplace Cleanliness: Ensure the cleanliness of work areas during the inspection processes
CAPA Support: Assist in the development and implementation of corrective and preventive actions
QMS Adherence: Adhere to QMS and policies

26. Quality Inspector Functions

Supervisor Direction: Work under the direction of the quality control supervisor
Drawing Interpretation: Understand and interpret engineering drawings, schematic diagrams, or formulas and confer with management or engineering staff to determine quality and reliability standards
Personnel Mentorship: Mentor junior inspection personnel in inspection methodology
Program Development: Create and develop programs for use with the coordinate measuring machine (CMM) running Calypso software
CMM Operation: Set up and operate the CMM using pre-existing inspection programs
Program Validation: Verify and validate CMM programs per quality procedure, which sometimes includes a secondary inspection method
Hardware Inspection: Inspect hardware using standard inspection tools
Specification Reading: Read and understand aerospace specifications, including ISO9001 and AS9100, military specifications, industry specifications, and manufacturing instructions
Inspection Recording: Perform inspections and record inspection data associated with first piece inspections, first article inspections, receiving inspections, final inspections, and work-in-process inspections
Package Verification: Verify first article packages for completion and accuracy prior to submitting to the quality engineer
Document Control: Control and maintain paperwork, documents, certifications, and records
Nonconformance Processing: Ensure nonconforming material is processed according to procedures and disposed of promptly
Equipment Maintenance: Assist in maintaining IM&T equipment to ensure calibration is performed promptly and that lost, damaged, or out-of-service equipment is properly accounted for and controlled according to procedure
Department Collaboration: Work closely with other departments to ensure on-time delivery

27. Quality Inspector Job Description

Quality Recommendations: Make recommendations to the quality control manager to enhance the quality of services
Service Development: Assist in the development and implementation of world-class customer service
Procedure Support: Assist personnel in the development of the section procedure documents that encompass corporate policies and customer requirements
Scheduled Inspections: Perform the activities and inspections in accordance with the approved schedule
Checklist Review: Ensure functional checklists are reviewed annually for currency and document this review
ISO Compliance: Practice and promote the principles of the ISO program
Improvement Identification: Work closely with government COR personnel and customers to identify improvement opportunities
Performance Monitoring: Monitor all PWS annexes to ensure performance threshold requirements are met
Safety Compliance: Assist with safety program compliance and the development of safety procedures and programs

28. Quality Inspector Overview

Quality Assessment: Perform regular quality assessments on all incoming materials from vendors and outgoing products for shipping
Containment Planning: Reject all products and materials that fail to meet quality expectations and form and implement a containment plan
Drawing Reading: Read engineering drawings, plans, and specifications to understand the requirements of parts, products, and services
Product Evaluation: Perform regular product evaluations, record inspection results, and recommend improvements to the production process to ensure quality control
Dimension Measurement: Measure product dimensions, examine functionality, and compare the final product to the specifications
Incoming Inspection: Oversee and conduct incoming inspection for a wide variety of parts as well as finished goods to guarantee that all products meet quality specifications
Report Documentation: Document inspection outcomes by completing detailed reports and performance records
Team Training: Teach the production team about quality control concerns to improve product excellence
Issue Resolution: Resolve quality-related issues with a sense of urgency and promptly
Task Support: Perform a variety of tasks in support of short- and long-term goals of the manufacturing division
Teamwork Skills: Exhibit teamwork and self-management
Attendance Compliance: Follow the attendance policy of the department
Safety Compliance: Follow all safety procedures and policies
Schedule Flexibility: Work overtime, flexible schedules, and weekends

29. Quality Inspector Details and Accountabilities

PWB Inspection: Perform printed wiring board and assembly inspections, to include soldering, staking, and conformal coating, utilizing a microscope
Harness Inspection: Complete inspections on cable and wire harness assemblies
IPC Compliance: Inspect per IPC certifications, including IPC J-STD-001 with space addendum soldering for operators and inspectors (CIS), assembly of electronic assemblies (IPC-A-610), IPC/WHMA-A620, requirements for cable and wire harness assemblies
ESD Handling: Work with devices and hardware that are highly sensitive to electrostatic discharge
Process Knowledge: Maintain working knowledge of ball process library
Dimensional Inspection: Perform basic dimensional inspections using micrometers, calipers, feeler gages, and similar tools
FAI Reporting: Create and maintain first article inspection reports
Source Support: Support government and customer source inspections
Material Inspection: Inspect incoming or production materials or articles for conformance to engineering drawings, schematics, and specifications, process standards and specifications, and production or process plans
Component Testing: Perform an incoming test of components
Conformance Monitoring: Monitor for conformance to design or test specifications or standards

30. Quality Inspector Tasks

Material Disposition: Accept or reject materials or articles, identify and document non-conformance, and notify appropriate personnel of potential rejection of items
Problem Referral: Refer and document unusual inspection problems to supervision, lead, or project quality engineer
Criteria Application: Apply, enforce, and comprehend accept and reject criteria and revision status from engineering drawings, MIL-specs, screening specs, or process certification training
Test Monitoring: Witness or monitor functional and performance testing at the sub-assembly and end-item level
Certification Maintenance: Obtain and maintain all certification processes and NDT certifications required for assigned tasks
Problem Troubleshooting: Troubleshoot inspection problems related to fixtures, software, drawings, documentation, or processes
Final Inspection: Perform final inspection and review documentation required for end-item shipments
Analytical Investigation: Perform analytical investigations and report inspection problems, including trend analysis
Work Scheduling: Maintain a regular and predictable work schedule
Relationship Building: Establish and maintain effective working relationships within the department, the strategic business units, the strategic support units, and the company
Workplace Interaction: Interact appropriately with others to maintain a positive and productive work environment

31. Quality Inspector Additional Details

Training Oversight: Ensure manufacturing associates are properly trained in documented inspection techniques and methods
Metric Trending: Trend quality metrics and communicate to appropriate individuals
Problem Investigation: Investigate specific problem areas in manufacturing and report to management on findings and suggest corrective actions
CAPA Management: Initiate and respond to correction and preventive actions
System Documentation: Document quality system failures and improvement activities
Sampling Application: Apply and interpret ANSI/ASQ Z1.4 and other sampling plans for predicting percent defective and lot acceptance criteria
Process Auditing: Conduct routine product and process audits to ensure compliance with the quality system
Engineer Support: Assist quality engineers with validations, quality issues, data collection, and related tasks
Safety Compliance: Follow all safety policies and procedures

32. Quality Inspector Essential Functions

Product Inspection: Conduct examinations and quality control inspections on products, materials, and components at various stages of the production process to ensure compliance with established quality and reliability standards
Data Analysis: Participate in the analysis of statistical data from processes to either confirm compliance with established standards or identify deviations from standards
Assembly Inspection: Perform visual inspections of soldered connections, mechanical inspections of electronic and electro-mechanical assemblies and subassemblies
Documentation Preparation: Prepare and complete all necessary documentation for reporting acceptance or rejection of inspected and tested items
Issue Identification: Identify design, process, or other inefficiencies and report quality concerns and issues
Routine Inspection: Perform routine quality inspections on engineering designs, assemblies, piece parts, final assemblies, and tooling
Audit Follow-up: Conduct internal audits and corrective action follow-ups
Attendance Maintenance: Maintain regular, consistent, and punctual attendance

33. Quality Inspector Role Purpose

Control Plan Inspection: Perform inspections according to the incoming control plan or the engineering drawing and installation document
Compliance Check: Perform inspections to ensure product compliance and check after rework
Acceptance Decision: Accept or reject the components and products as defined in the inspection instruction and checklist
Result Recording: Record inspection results in the digital tools
Nonconformity Documentation: Accurately document non-conformity with clear characterization
NCR Processing: Complete all associated non-conformity activities, such as completing the QM order, blocking stock, and tasking appropriate parties in the digital system to initiate the NCR resolution process
Equipment Calibration: Ensure the use of calibrated equipment and instrumentation used in the inspections
Record Maintenance: Maintain all controlled document files and test records in a timely and accurate manner
Documentation Control: Maintain quality documentation for components, assemblies, and vehicles
Procedure Updating: Assist in the writing and updating of inspection procedures, control plan, and checklists
Material Sorting: Inspect and sort material from inventory purges by SQ Serial or supply chain
Defect Communication: Inform the supply chain and supplier quality on NCRs and the impact of defects on part availability
Process Coordination: Coordinate outside special process inspection or outside lab testing with the incoming inspection leader
KPI Support: Support the SQ Serial and incoming inspection leader by providing inspection-related data for KPIs
Meeting Participation: Participate in daily meetings and fulfill daily priorities as set by the reporting manager

34. Quality Inspector General Responsibilities

Dimensional Inspection: Perform dimensional and visual inspection to blueprint using gauges and other reliable inspection equipment
Material Inspection: Perform material and component inspections
FAI Verification: Perform first article inspection (FAI) and verify FAI data, including statistical analysis, is acceptable
Blueprint Reading: Read and inspect the blueprints and inspection guide sheets and instructions
Document Review: Perform document review, analyse, inspect, and archive DHRs (paper-based and electronically) in compliance with GMP and GDP requirements before release to finished goods
System Transactions: Perform computer system transactions related to router inspections
Material Quarantine: Segregate, quarantine, and complete documentation for non-conforming materials
NCR Initiation: Initiate quarantine tickets (non-conformance reports)
Product Disposition: Perform product release disposition tasks in the ERP system
KPI Support: Support the achievement of inspection teams’ KPIs
Forecast Planning: Work on forecasts and plans based on business requirements

35. Quality Inspector Key Accountabilities

Final Release: Perform final checking, marking up, and release of parts and associated documentation ahead of customer shipment
Quality Feedback: Proactively provide feedback on quality issues to production to improve standards and reduce rework
Sample Checking: Conduct sample checks to verify quality and documentation
Document Maintenance: Help maintain controlled document files, updating systems and test records in a timely and accurate manner
Tire Inspection: Inspect tires according to the specific instructions provided
Inventory Counting: Conduct inventory cycle counts and other tasks at the direction of the site quality manager related to product quality and conformance
Shipment Assurance: Assure conformance to expectations of shipments of tires to customers, particularly original equipment customers
Inspection Consistency: Deliver consistent, high-quality inspection across a variety of pressure sensor components and product families
Equipment Operation: Operate a variety of inspection equipment, micrometers, plug gauges, and table-top measuring equipment (FARO, CMM)
Drawing Interpretation: Interpret manufacturing drawings, customer drawings, source control drawings, and written specifications

36. Quality Inspector Roles and Details

Process Inspection: Inspect merchandise throughout the manufacturing processes to ensure conformance to all requirements
Data Recording: Record inspection data and administer disposition of rejected merchandise
Project Participation: Participate in corrective action projects, process improvement projects, and other QA-related special activities
Plan Validation: Assist in the validation of the control plan
Site Inspection: Perform on-site inspections at local contractors and suppliers
Safety Compliance: Work safely at all times by consistently following safe work procedures for the position, as well as all safety procedures required at the worksite
Product Conformance: Inspect manufactured products and ensure product conformance with customer technical specifications within the requested deadlines
Goods Inspection: Perform incoming goods inspection of machined products from external suppliers and material receipts and review of material certificates
Record Maintenance: Maintain the required documented quality information and records and ensure effective inspection methods
Nonconformity Resolution: Resolve internal non-conformities and customer complaints in cooperation with other departments, support root cause analysis, and define corrective actions
Daily Inspection: Perform day-to-day inspections as per project requirements
Report Preparation: Prepare and sign inspection reports daily
Fabrication Liaison: Liaise with other functions during fabrication for specific project requirements
Work Standards: Maintain a high standard of safe working practice, quality, and productivity as well as compliance with the code of business conduct

37. Quality Inspector Responsibilities and Key Tasks

Receiving Inspection: Act as the primary resource for performing activities related to the receiving inspection process
Containment Support: Support the non-conforming material process as the primary resource for performing containment activity of suspect on-hand inventory and certifying material for return to stock
Data Documentation: Document inspection, certification, and other applicable data for use by operations for driving continuous improvement activities and processes
Process Improvement: Support operations' systemic continuous improvement initiatives
Procedure Compliance: Review and follow local procedures to drive process standardization and align operations with ISO 9001:2015 compliance
Warranty Collaboration: Collaborate with warranty to review quality-related issues to ensure proper resolution of warranty claims
Data Analysis: Analyze and present quality data utilizing statistical process controls for management review on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis to the quality manager
KPI Development: Develop, implement, and monitor key performance indicators for the overall quality program
Corrective Support: Provide support to necessary operations to assist in identifying quality issues and drive corrective actions to resolve them
Tool Utilization: Use micrometers, calipers, depth gauges, optical comparators, and weight scales accurately
Process Inspection: Perform product or process inspection utilizing standardized inspection methods
Part Verification: Visually and physically check parts against blueprint or work order specifications using a variety of precision measuring instruments
Material Qualification: Inspect and qualify materials to ensure adherence to standards such as ISO and Mil Spec
Risk Verification: Verify POs and SOs for quality risk assessment

38. Quality Inspector Duties and Roles

Drawing Interpretation: Read and understand drawings, process specifications, procedures, work instructions, inspection documentation, and certificates in metric measurement units
Equipment Usage: Use precision measuring equipment as well as specialized inspection and testing equipment
Documentation Preparation: Prepare and maintain clear inspection documentation for the above functions
Data Analysis: Analyze the results of gear charts and graphs and CMM data
Calibration Support: Support the lead inspection and the quality specialist by leading the scheduled calibration and certification by accurately maintaining all measuring equipment and other gauges or items related to the test bench, including sound and vibration equipment, temperature equipment, oil testers, speed, and torque equipment, and by delivering gauges on time
Document Tracking: Assist in tracking and filing of inspection documentation
Visual Inspection: Perform routine visual inspection of soldered connections and mechanical inspections of electronic and electro-mechanical assemblies and subassemblies
QA Teamwork: Work as part of the QA team and apply basic-level inspector process knowledge, practices, and procedures to standard routine tasks
Acceptance Reporting: Participate in preparing all necessary documentation for reporting acceptance or rejection of inspected and tested items
Audit Participation: Support and participate in internal audits and corrective action follow-ups
QA Implementation: Implement and maintain technical quality assurance procedures
Part Inspection: Perform inspections of purchased parts, subassemblies, or finished products according to well-defined criteria using a microscope, standard physical, mechanical, and electrical measurements
Result Documentation: Accurately document the results of inspections and testing
Record Maintenance: Maintain all controlled document files and test records in a timely and accurate manner
Data Entry: Perform data entry into associated data systems

39. Quality Inspector Roles and Responsibilities

Inspection Execution: Follow general inspection guidelines to conduct visual, cosmetic, dimensional, mechanical, and functional inspections on a wide variety of components, assemblies, equipment, systems, supplies, and materials
Safety Compliance: Follow all health and safety procedures and report accidents and near misses
Feedback Provision: Provide direct feedback to the area’s quality assurance engineer, lead, technical lead, and operators after each formal inspection
MRB Participation: Participate in material review boards and authorize or reject proposed product dispositions, including use as-is, rework, scrap, and return to vendor
Deficiency Resolution: Offer recommendations to resolve recurring deficiencies found during inspections
FAI Conducting: Conduct the first article inspection of parts, assemblies, equipment, and tooling
Log Maintenance: Maintain necessary inspection logs and write inspection reports
Component Inspection: Carry out the inspection-related activities of all components and assemblies
In-Process Inspection: Perform dimensional and visual in-process inspection in conjunction with controlled drawings and applicable specifications
Final Inspection: Perform final inspection of all jobs performed in the facility and 100% inspection of finished components
Pressure Testing: Perform or oversee pressure testing of assembled parts to ensure that all acceptance criteria have been met
Tool Utilization: Be responsible for inspecting products using established inspection tools and techniques
QA Oversight: Take charge of the quality assurance and quality checking processes
Finished Goods Inspection: Inspect finished goods, follow procedures, and ensure adherence to product quality standards
QC Collaboration: Work with factory QC for continuous quality improvement
Report Completion: Complete, provide a report, and keep all related documentation

40. Quality Inspector Accountabilities

Specification Assurance: Assure manufactured units meet engineering specifications, quality control procedures, and customer requirements
Component Verification: Verify and test completed components to ensure conformance
NCR Initiation: Initiate non-conformance reports on parts and products that do not meet drawing and print specifications
Drawing Conformance: Ensure that parts are within the drawing specifications to confirm conformance
Record Review: Complete and review quality records and documents to ensure they are correct before handover
Sub-Sea Inspection: Carry out inspections to ensure the build and testing of sub-sea equipment is verified for quality, build, and safety
Product Verification: Perform product verification, analyze and report all quality control aspects to ensure that products conform to quality standards
Issue Resolution: Be responsible for resolving all non-conforming product issues and defining measures to prevent recurrence
Documentation Creation: Create and maintain written documentation such as working instructions, verification lists, and control checklists in line with standard operating procedures
Continuous Improvement: Conduct and promote continuous improvement and best practices to improve the quality of products, processes, and services
Field Auditing: Audit field work activities by subcontractors, perform or oversee specific inspections and tests, and prepare audit reports
Materials Testing: Conduct or oversee materials testing and analysis using tools and equipment and apply the technical knowledge necessary to conduct tests

Relevant Information

What Does An Inspector Do?