WHAT DOES AN INSPECTOR DO?

Published: Sep 15, 2025 - The Inspector is responsible for independently performing precision measurements using a variety of instruments, including vernier calipers, depth gauges, and pressure gauges, to ensure all dimensions of machined, welded, forged, and cast parts meet quality standards. This position also builds custom inspection setups, instructs other inspectors, and assumes full accountability for the quality of inspected parts and outgoing shipments. The Inspector also holds authority to halt production on non-conforming parts and works closely with supervisors to recommend improvements and maintain organized inspection records and equipment.

A Review of Professional Skills and Functions for Inspector

1. Inspector Responsibilities

  • Mechanical Drawings: Interpret intermediate mechanical drawings and inspect characteristics using standard measurement equipment and special inspection or test equipment.
  • Standard Equipment: Utilize standard equipment such as micrometers, comparators, gage blocks, calipers, radius gauges, ring and plug gauges, hardness testers, indicators, thread gauges and protractors.
  • Special Equipment: Utilize special equipment such as a toolmaker's microscope, surface plate and height gauge.
  • Thread Measurement: Measure and interpret threads using Fed. Std. H28.
  • Surface Analysis: Use a surface analyzer (profilometer) and determine surface finishes.
  • Coating Identification: Identify electronics industry coatings.
  • Trend Communication: Communicate unsatisfactory trends to production supervision.
  • Independent Work: Work with minimal supervision or technical assistance.
  • Documentation Maintenance: Perform documentation maintenance and problem investigation.
  • Corrective Actions: Generate and assist in the corrective or preventive action process and the non-conforming material process.

2. Inspector Accountabilities

  • Asset Management: Perform non-manual work primarily centered on maintaining asset management systems vital to ensuring compliance with internal and external requirements about their specific engineering discipline.
  • Maintenance Criteria: Develop and specify maintenance and testing criteria to assure asset mechanical integrity with RAGAGEP recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices.
  • Repair Judgment: Utilize independent judgment with respect to the scope of repairs to assets under their purview that can have a significant business impact from both a financial and HSE perspective.
  • Technical Support: Provide technical support and recommendations to operations and maintenance management to address gaps in asset performance.
  • Maintenance Guidance: Provide guidance and technical support to the maintenance department concerning the scope of repairs and or refurbishment or replacement of assets.
  • Performance Evaluation: Evaluate asset performance to justify the improvement of asset management strategies.
  • Risk Evaluation: Utilize discretion and judgment based on experience to evaluate the risk of continued operation with assets that are less than fully functional per original design.
  • Program Management: Manage the delivery of preventive and predictive programs to company assets and ensure compliance with programs.
  • Record Maintenance: Maintain the health of asset records and issue written reports primarily concerning failure analysis with proposals for systemic improvements to asset management strategies.
  • System Resolution: Resolve structural gaps in management systems to ensure the health of assets.
  • Capital Selection: Assist in the selection of major assets for capital expenditure.
  • Specification Development: Participate or lead the development or revision of equipment specifications and vendor selection.

3. Inspector Functions

  • Material Induction: Be responsible for the induction of customer-owned material into the repair station.
  • Documentation Review: Check process documentation for completeness.
  • Visual Inspection: Visually inspect articles and perform random dimensional checks.
  • Order Review: Review purchase orders and shippers for accuracy.
  • In-Process Inspection: Perform visual and or dimensional in-process inspections to determine conformance to acceptable or approved technical data.
  • Blueprint Reading: Read and understand blueprints and or sketches.
  • Quality Standards: Maintain production standards and quality.
  • Traveler Documentation: Document travelers after operations performed.
  • Housekeeping Duties: Perform general department housekeeping.
  • Attendance Punctuality: Maintain regular attendance and punctuality.
  • Ethical Compliance: Adhere to and promote the corporate code of ethical standards.
  • Quality Compliance: Ensure compliance with company RSM or QCM, QPM and ISO quality requirements.
  • Engineering Interface: Interface with product engineering.
  • Production Support: Provide inspection or quality department support to production cells.
  • Documentation Filing: File completed repair documentation.
  • Hardware Shipping: Ship customer hardware per purchase order instructions.
  • Manual Interpretation: Read and interpret blueprints and equipment manuals.

4. Inspector Details and Accountabilities

  • Fiber Inspection: Inspect and document fiber placement to match the customer's specifications.
  • Fiber Attachment: Identify the requirements to successfully attach fiber to a telephone pole.
  • Facility Analysis: Utilize the facility analysis process to analyze work order drawings.
  • Record Updating: Update work order records in an accurate and timely manner.
  • Quality Standards: Ensure all installation work is done according to company quality standards.
  • Repair Oversight: Oversee and identify necessary repairs or remedial work.
  • Site Inspection: Assist with on-site inspections and personal protective equipment PPE inspections of employees.
  • Construction Coordination: Work closely with construction teams to ensure ongoing quality installation.
  • Safety Compliance: Maintain a safe work environment by following safe practices and adhering to safety policies, including practicing safe driving techniques.
  • Knowledge Development: Update and improve job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities and reading technical publications.

5. Inspector Additional Details

  • Aircraft Inspection: Inspect aircraft and components by obtaining and interpreting work cards, reviewing inspection requirements, scope and detail, completing visual inspection of aircraft areas opened by AMT, including but not limited to fuel tanks, empennage, cargo areas, under-floor area, fuselage skin, engines, pylons, wings, flight control surfaces, flight decks and landing gear.
  • Non-Destructive Testing: Perform various types of non-destructive testing, including but not limited to low and high frequency eddy current, dye penetrating and magnetic particle inspection.
  • System Diagnostics: Identify non-routine work on aircraft systems operations, including engine performance, pneumatic or hydraulic systems, pressurization, air conditioning, electrical, fuel and flight controls.
  • Discrepancy Location: Identify the location of discrepancies by using fuselage body stations and butt lines.
  • Work Evaluation: Inspect and evaluate work performed by AMTs, sheet metal AMTs and avionics technicians, ensuring rework of deficiencies.
  • Safety Oversight: Ensure safety procedures are followed and potential damage to customer or company property is minimized by overseeing aircraft handling activities, including jacking, fueling, defueling and towing.
  • Receiving Inspection: Perform receiving inspection requirements for new and continued-serviced parts for serviceability, including verifying certification from the manufacturer or overhaul facility and inspecting for shipping damage.
  • Weight Balance: Conduct weight and balance analysis by using approved maintenance manuals and scales.
  • Logbook Compliance: Ensure completion of logbook entries and release the aircraft as airworthy for test flight or in-flight operation checks.
  • Regulatory Compliance: Ensure compliance with all applicable FARs during the course of day-to-day assignments.

6. Inspector Essential Functions

  • Measuring Instruments: Read and utilize all measuring instruments common to operations, such as rules, squares, circumference tapes, vernier tapes, vernier calipers, depth and diameter gauges, radius gauges, vide-gauge, pressure gauges, etc., with no supervision.
  • Testing Procedures: Apply all testing and measuring procedures with no supervision.
  • Dimensional Inspection: Check all dimensions on spun, machined, welded, forged and cast parts, etc., and make necessary reports on inspection of the copy of the work order.
  • Quality Standards: Assist the operator or supervisor in arriving at quality standards required and make suggestions and recommendations whenever possible.
  • Inspection Training: Instruct others assigned to inspection in proper procedures on all types of items and assume responsibility to spot check to determine whether work is being done properly.
  • Operation Control: Assume responsibility for stopping operations on parts produced that are not within tolerances or quality standards and report at once to the supervisor and general supervisor, to the worker's own superior as well.
  • Material Inspection: Make inspection and report all defects on incoming materials, tools, dies, casting, etc., under the supervision of the supervisor and perform all inspections and related functions.
  • Inspection Setup: Build all necessary inspection setups, gauges, fixtures, etc., without assistance to the fullest extent of facilities available.
  • Quality Responsibility: Assume complete responsibility for the quality of work done by other inspectors and the general quality of parts shipped to customers.
  • Department Maintenance: Maintain the inspection department in a neat and orderly condition at all times and exercise proper practices in the care of all equipment.
  • Record Compliance: Cooperate with management in observance of procedures and in maintaining required records.

7. Inspector General Responsibilities

  • Material Conformance: Ensure that incoming materials conform to purchase specifications.
  • Component Inspection: Complete inspection of components per engineering specifications.
  • Inspection Reporting: Document inspection on the appropriate inspection reports.
  • Gauge Selection: Choose appropriate gauges to complete the inspection tasks.
  • Inspection List: Add and remove components from the inspection list based on established inspection rules.
  • Nonconformance Reporting: Document any nonconformances in the QSI database and assist with investigation and disposition.
  • Floor Support: Provide back-up support for the manufacturing floor.
  • Issue Sign-Off: Inspect and sign off on troubleshooting issues, audit shipments and inspect inventory as issues arise.
  • Audit Execution: Conduct procedure, process, product and documentation audits per schedule.
  • Issue Follow-Up: Document and complete follow-up of issues.
  • Audit Scheduling: Assist in developing the audit schedule.
  • Technician Backup: Back up the senior quality technician for floor issues and first article inspections based on the priority of manufacturing, engineering and supply chain.
  • Documentation Review: Review engineering and manufacturing documentation to ensure clarity and complete compliance with requirements, document discrepancies and forward to appropriate personnel for action.
  • Continuous Improvement: Participate in continuous improvement activities and lean initiatives.

8. Inspector Key Accountabilities

  • Product Testing: Test and inspect the product at various stages of the production and or repair process.
  • Dimensional Testing: Test for items such as dimensions, performance and mechanical characteristics.
  • Standard Modification: Suggest modifications of existing quality or production standards.
  • Measuring Devices: Use standard shop measuring devices, including micrometers, verniers, 10x otoscopes, shim stock, depth gages, plug gages and comparators.
  • Nonconformance Analysis: Analyze and communicate non-conforming hardware and documentation using blueprints, CIDs, MOSs, specifications, etc.
  • Corrective Actions: Assist cell leaders and engineering technicians in implementing corrective actions.
  • Oracle Utilization: Use Oracle to find a priority list for the work area.
  • Fixture Calibration: Read, plan and verify fixture calibration.
  • Precision Measurement: Use standard shop measuring devices, calipers and micrometers.

9. Inspector Responsibilities and Key Tasks

  • Cell Housekeeping: Perform basic housekeeping of the cell 5S.
  • Procedure Compliance: Review, understand and follow the routers, procedures, specifications and other instructions for completeness to perform operations.
  • Paperwork Accuracy: Ensure all company paperwork is filled out accurately.
  • Blueprint Reading: Fully understand blueprints.
  • Inspection Sheets: Read and understand inspection sheets.
  • Lean Manufacturing: Work to establish lean manufacturing guidelines.
  • Safety Awareness: Understand safety and machining hazards.
  • GD&T Knowledge: Have working knowledge of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing.
  • Team Participation: Actively participate and support a team environment.
  • Progress Communication: Keep the team informed of work progress, timelines and issues.

10. Inspector Roles and Responsibilities

  • Work Habits: Set an example of good work habits and attitude by cooperation and positively interacting with employees, showing commitment to customer service.
  • Procedure Compliance: Be responsible for knowing and using the current required procedures for processing components during inspection processes.
  • Product Inspection: Inspect, record and maintain records of product inspection and material verification for purchased and PCB produced products per drawings and other applicable specifications.
  • Timely Delivery: Ensure timely delivery of product to internal departments and customers.
  • Quality Documentation: Generate, update and maintain records of quality control documentation such as discrepant material reports, department procedures, customer and supplier product certificates and their storage and traceability to inspected items.
  • Software Maintenance: Accurately maintain inspection software for the inspection process.
  • Equipment Calibration: Ensure department calibration equipment is within due dates.
  • Area Organization: Keep the area clean and organized.
  • Audit Readiness: Ensure the department is effectively maintained at all times to accommodate acceptable internal and external audits.

11. Inspector Duties

  • Department Efficiency: Perform other related duties for the efficient operation of the department and perform audits of all machinists according to internal procedures.
  • Audit Review: Review audit results with production supervisors.
  • On-Spot Training: Perform on-the-spot training for machinists when deficiencies are noted.
  • Procedure Improvement: Recommend changes to procedures, machine shop practices, etc., based on audit results.
  • Training Needs: Identify training needs and other opportunities for improvement to the management team based on audit results.
  • Record Maintenance: Maintain records and reports associated with the certified machinist program.
  • Quality Directives: Assist in implementing company-wide quality directives.
  • Quality Operations: Perform other duties for the efficient operation of the quality assurance department.
  • Immediate Feedback: Provide immediate feedback to the production line and immediate leadership on all quality-related problems.

12. Inspector Details

  • Inspection Teamwork: Work within the inspection team and be responsible for inspection-related activities specific to each site’s requirements.
  • Dimensional Inspection: Perform dimensional and or visual inspection to blueprint using gauges and other reliable inspection equipment.
  • Material Inspection: Perform material and component inspections.
  • First Article: Perform first article inspection FAI and verify FAI data, including statistical analysis.
  • Blueprint Reading: Read and inspect the blueprints and or inspection guide sheets or instructions.
  • Document Review: Perform document review, analyze, inspect and archive DHRs paper-based and or electronically in compliance with GMP or GDP requirements before release to finished goods.
  • System Transactions: Perform computer system transactions related to router inspections.
  • Nonconformance Handling: Segregate, quarantine and complete documentation for non-conforming materials.
  • Quarantine Reports: Initiate quarantine tickets non-conformance reports, perform product release disposition tasks in the ERP system, and support the achievement of inspection teams’ KPIs.

13. Inspector Accountabilities

  • Data Collection: Work under direct supervision and assist with collecting, compiling and analyzing data from the physical work site, surveys, structural plans, blueprints, schematics, data, technical drawings, flow diagrams, materials sampling, computer-generated reports and other matrices for field inspection activities.
  • Site Inspection: Work under direct supervision and assist with performing basic professional inspections of proposed and existing site conditions, equipment, construction, materials, controls, resources, layout, alignment and elevation to determine conformance with applicable rules, standards, codes and construction or operating permits.
  • Technical Assistance: Provide entry-level technical assistance that accounts for the proper inspection, construction and functioning of buildings, highways, roads, bridges, structures, infrastructure, equipment and or mechanical systems according to design standard specifications.
  • Load Verification: Assist with verifying load calculations, change orders, interpretation of contract plans and specifications and escalate any differences, errors or technical problems for appropriate resolution.
  • Documentation Reporting: Generate complete, accurate and concise documentation and specifications related to inspection findings using electronic systems, written or oral feedback, photographs, drawings, diagrams, illustrations, spreadsheets and reports.
  • Policy Compliance: Comply with client policies and procedures for inspection work under contract.
  • Safety Compliance: Comply with safety guidelines and site-specific procedures, which include location data, statistical documentation, studies and surveys and construction.
  • Task Training: Complete training on assigned tasks.
  • Ethical Conduct: Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources and conduct and adhere to the code of conduct and related policies and procedures.

14. Inspector Job Description

  • Routine Inspection: Perform routine inspections and tests of incoming, in-process and finished goods.
  • Equipment Handling: Properly handle and use inspection equipment and other instruments such as micrometers, calipers, height gage, pin gages, optical comparator, plug or thread gages, radius gages, hardness tester, Hexagon CMM PC DMIS.
  • FAIR Management: Create and manage storage of first article inspection reports FAIR bubble prints.
  • Document Interpretation: Interpret planning documents, tool design and engineering drawings, specifications and quality inspection procedures to develop clear, complete and precise records of inspection.
  • Material Inspection: Be responsible for inspecting raw material, metal castings, forgings, extrusions and machined parts.
  • Quality Standards: Interpret quality documentation to standards and purchase orders, including material certifications, test reports, chemical and process certifications.
  • Nonconformance Reporting: Document production non-conformances in accordance with prescribed procedures.
  • Aerospace Standards: Be familiar with aerospace plating and processing standards, such as anodizing, chem film, passivation, chrome plating, silver plating, etc.

15. Inspector Details and Accountabilities

  • Procedure Verification: Ensure proper procedures are performed on all completed work before it is released to service.
  • Record Completion: Complete all inspection and maintenance records, reports and forms required before authorized release.
  • Delegated Tasks: Perform the following as delegated by the supervisor or lead inspector.
  • Part Compliance: Ensure no defective or unairworthy parts are installed on any product released by the service center.
  • Material Inspection: Inspect and accept incoming material, including new parts, supplies and repaired parts from contract service.
  • Part Identification: Ensure proper tagging and identification of all parts during the maintenance process.
  • Manual Utilization: Locate and use the current library of aircraft maintenance manuals, parts catalogs, structure repair manuals, wiring manuals and engine manuals applicable to the aircraft citation models.
  • File Organization: Understand and organize the required aircraft inspections and maintenance of files with completed work orders and inspection forms in an efficient system for easy review by supervisor or lead inspector.

16. Inspector Additional Details

  • Construction Inspection: Coordinate and perform construction inspections, verifying that contractors' activities comply with contracts, specifications and engineering principles.
  • Routine Oversight: Perform duties of inspector in charge of routine construction items such as asphaltic or portland cement concrete plants, asphaltic or concrete paving including grading and base, small bridges, concrete box and pipe culverts.
  • Special Inspection: Inspect general or special items such as utility adjustments, signing, traffic signals and lighting.
  • Project Computations: Perform measurements, computations or other work in preparing final plans, change orders, contractor payment estimates and engineering costs.
  • Record Maintenance: Maintain required construction documentation, records and files.
  • Progress Reporting: Prepare progress and other reports.
  • Supervisor Communication: Keep the supervisor fully informed as to activities or unusual conditions on the job.
  • Survey Checks: Provide field checks for contractor surveying operations.
  • Layout Staking: Serve as party chief on routine layout and staking.
  • Instrument Operation: Serve as an instrument operator on the staking of large bridges, other critical structures or complex interchanges.
  • Material Testing: Sample and test general construction materials such as steel, pipe, paint, asphalt and cement to determine if materials conform to specifications and approve or reject material for intended use.
  • Aggregate Testing: Sample and test fine and coarse aggregate production for quality and gradation specification compliance at quarries supplying materials for department projects and approve or reject material.
  • Trial Mix Preparation: Prepare samples for bituminous trial mixes.
  • Contractor Coordination: Coordinate with the contractor on trial mix information.
  • Plant Inspection: Perform duties of inspector in charge at plants producing bituminous mixtures to determine if the material produced conforms to specifications and approve or reject the material.
  • Concrete Inspection: Perform inspections of prestressed or precast concrete and special sampling and testing of materials required on federal aid projects.

17. Inspector General Responsibilities

  • Equipment Examination: Perform visual and non-destructive examination of static and dynamic pressure retaining equipment in accordance with American Petroleum Institute API standard 653 and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers ASME.
  • Report Submission: Submit to the client technically accurate reports documenting equipment condition.
  • Repair Recommendations: Provide the client with technical recommendations for the repair, re-rate, replacement and or alteration of plant equipment for safe operation within stated operating parameters for durations specified by the client.
  • Welding Support: Provide technical input to the client for welding and metallurgical issues.
  • NDE Guidance: Provide technical guidance on the application of non-destructive examination techniques and procedures.
  • Safety Compliance: Fully comply with all safe work practices and actively participate in all site safety initiatives.
  • Guest Service: Provide customer service to guests internally or externally, including information about hotel services, activities and local attractions.
  • Repair Coordination: Communicate and coordinate with engineering or property operations the repair and maintenance program to guestrooms and public areas.
  • Housekeeping Support: Assist in the housekeeping office with managing guest calls and routing to house attendants.
  • Work Ticketing: Manage work tickets in Hotsos, perform office clean-up and assist in the cleaning or inspecting of other public areas.

18. Inspector Roles and Details

  • Measurement Activities: Follow standard practices to perform measurement activities, including visual observations, volumetric or temperature measurements and representative sampling of petrochemical products.
  • Result Reporting: Record and report results of the measurement activities to determine accurate load, discharge, or transfer quantities in compliance with industry practices using relevant systems.
  • Team Operations: Work as part of a 24 or 7 operational team to ensure all operations are covered effectively and efficiently, including local laboratory teams.
  • Operational Communication: Communicate and coordinate with colleagues, clients and third parties regarding operations, including any delays and any or all potential impacts on work execution.
  • Equipment Maintenance: Maintain PPE, measurement and sampling equipment to ensure calibration, fitness for purpose and cleanliness.
  • Hazard Reporting: Identify, report and address potential H and S hazards in line with 18001 certification.
  • Retail Inspection: Perform regular inspections of tobacco retailers and complete compliance check inspection forms.
  • Compliance Reporting: Prepare a narrative report revealing potential compliance issues or violations.
  • Evidence Collection: Collect evidence of violations such as photographs.
  • Undercover Operations: Facilitate undercover buys in coordination with trained minors.

19. Inspector Responsibilities and Key Tasks

  • Work Safety: Maintain a safe work environment while complying with the departmental procedures regarding environmental protection.
  • Instruction Interpretation: Read and interpret work and inspection instructions to ensure that parts meet quality standards.
  • Defect Detection: Check products by sight, sound or touch to locate imperfections such as cuts, scratches, missing pieces, flash or other defects defined in the work instructions and by management.
  • Part Rejection: Properly discard or reject parts not meeting specifications.
  • Inspection Recording: Record details for inspected parts such as defects found or acceptance or rejection status on inspection forms.
  • Complaint Handling: Receive complaints and requests relative to the administration and enforcement of various city ordinances and regulations.
  • Property Inspection: Conduct inspections of commercial and residential projects and properties within preset limits and guidelines.
  • Ordinance Inspection: Conduct field inspections for ordinance violations.
  • Finding Documentation: Document findings and conduct appropriate follow-up.
  • Regulatory Compliance: Take measures necessary to ensure compliance with appropriate local and state regulations and laws.
  • Vehicle Inspection: Inspect assigned interior features of new vehicles for defects and damage.
  • Defect Identification: Properly identify all quality defects and damages on units coming down their line.
  • Issue Reporting: Report any recurring issues to the supervisor so awareness is raised and corrective action can be taken.

20. Inspector Roles and Responsibilities

  • Engine Repair: Disassemble, repair and reassemble engines according to OEM procedures.
  • Parts Identification: Identify parts using applicable manual references.
  • Engine Maintenance: Perform maintenance which includes QEC removal, installation, engine disassembly and repair on engines owned by the company and third-party customers.
  • Defect Examination: Examine the engine and components to determine the extent of any defects requiring repair or replacement of the part.
  • Engine Testing: Test the engine and operating systems for proper functioning using an array of appropriate tools.
  • Manual Utilization: Use maintenance manuals and specifications to determine the correct operating condition.
  • Quality Compliance: Ensure compliance of the product with the quality requirements.
  • Documentation Verification: Verify the documentation or test report and the relevant documents of all tests conducted.
  • Record Management: File, compile and document the quality batch records.
  • Production Inspection: Inspect production lines and work cells to ensure product meets all quality standards.
  • Material Inspection: Inspect incoming material to ensure all quality and supplier requirements are being met.
  • Paperwork Completion: Fill out and complete all necessary paperwork and forms.