Lead Quality Inspector I
About The Position
The Lead Quality Inspector I is responsible for verifying that incoming materials, in-process components, and finished products meet engineering drawings, specifications, customer requirements, and company quality standards. In addition to performing advanced inspection activities, this position provides day-to-day leadership and technical guidance to Quality Inspectors while supporting production, engineering, and quality initiatives throughout the organization. The position focuses on ensuring accurate inspection practices, timely identification and containment of non-conforming product, complete and compliant quality documentation, effective communication of quality findings, and continuous improvement of inspection processes. The Lead Quality Inspector serves as a subject matter expert for inspection methods, measurement techniques, and quality requirements to ensure only conforming products move forward in the manufacturing process and are delivered to customers.
Requirements
- High School Diploma or GED required
- 5+ years of quality inspection experience within a manufacturing environment, preferably in precision machining, tooling, gear manufacturing, or related industries.
- Experience with blueprint reading, and advanced inspection techniques.
- Strong knowledge of manufacturing of mechanically engineered products and its associated quality processes.
- Advanced proficiency in the use of precision measuring instruments and inspection equipment.
- Working knowledge of Quality Management Systems (QMS), including ISO 9001 and/or AS9100 standards.
- Strong ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, and specifications.
- Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and train others.
- Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
- High attention to detail and accuracy.
- Effective communication and interpersonal skills for cross-functional collaboration.
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize multiple tasks and responsibilities.
- Proficiency with inspection documentation and reporting systems.
Nice To Haves
- technical diploma or certification in Mechanical Engineering Technology, Manufacturing Technology, Quality Assurance, or a related field preferred.
- Previous experience providing technical leadership, mentoring, or oversight within a quality function preferred.
- Experience using various equipment to validate dimensions as well as quality reporting systems is preferred.
- Training in quality systems, root cause analysis, statistical process control (SPC), and continuous improvement methodologies is an advantage.
- Familiarity with GD&T preferred.
Responsibilities
- Perform and oversee inspections of incoming, in-process, and finished products to ensure conformance with drawings, specifications, customer requirements, and quality standards.
- Understand and enforce customer quality flow-down requirements to ensure compliance throughout the manufacturing process.
- Understanding customer quality flow-down requirements and preventing noncompliance to those requirements.
- Adherence and spot audits on 3rd party material certifications.
- Provide technical leadership, training, and mentorship to Quality Inspectors on inspection methods, blueprint reading, measurement techniques, and quality standards.
- Prioritize inspection activities to support production schedules and customer delivery commitments.
- Identify, document, communicate, and contain nonconforming product; ensure proper segregation and disposition in accordance with established procedures.
- Review and maintain inspection reports, First Article Inspections (FAIs), calibration records, traceability documentation, and quality records to ensure QMS compliance and audit readiness.
- Support root cause investigations, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives through accurate inspection data and analysis.
- Conduct inspections using precision measurement equipment, including but not limited to calipers, micrometers, height gages, bore gages, indicators, optical comparators, and gauges.
- Verify calibration status of inspection equipment and help maintain calibration compliance.
- Read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, tolerances to determine inspection criteria.
- Collaborate with Quality, Production, Engineering, and Supply Chain teams to communicate findings and resolve quality issues.
- Support internal and external audits and ensure compliance with customer, company, and ISO quality requirements.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
