Quality Inspection Technician, PCBA

Northwood Space • Los Angeles, CA

4d • $30 - $40

About The Position

Northwood is a space infrastructure company developing a global network of phased array ground stations for satellite communications. The Quality Inspection Technician manages daily operations of the Incoming Inspection Room, including inspection tools, fixtures, calibration, and ESD controls. The technician verifies incoming PCBs, PCBAs, machined and welded mechanical parts, and other supplier materials against drawings and approved inspection requirements, working with Supplier Quality and Engineering to resolve inspection issues and keep nonconforming material out of production. The role also supports engineering samples, product verification, and drawing and design-for-manufacturability improvements by providing accurate measurement data.

The position requires inspecting materials using applicable specifications, inspection plans, IPC-A-600 and IPC-A-610 criteria, and specified critical-characteristic checks, 100% inspection, or AQL sampling. The technician verifies supplier documentation and part traceability, maintains measurement equipment and calibration records, follows ESD practices, records inspection results, and helps coordinate nonconformance disposition. Additional work includes dimensional measurement and verification for samples, prototypes, and first articles, conducting Gage R&R studies, and sharing findings with Engineering and suppliers.

Applicants must meet applicable U.S. Government space technology export-control requirements. Northwood is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides reasonable accommodations during the application and interview process upon request.

Requirements

• At least 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 interpreting PCB/PCBA and complex mechanical engineering drawings, including GD&T, datum references, dimensional tolerances, and critical characteristics; ability to follow risk-based inspection plans, including 100% inspection and AQL sampling.
• Hands-on proficiency with precision measurement and inspection equipment, including handheld tools, VMMs, optical inspection systems, and custom fixtures, plus experience managing calibration schedules, status tracking, and records.
• Experience identifying and documenting nonconforming materials, communicating quality issues to Supplier Quality (SQE) and Engineering, and using Manufacturo or similar ERP/MES systems to record inspection results, maintain material traceability, and manage NCR/MRB processes.
• Must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State, to conform to applicable U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including ITAR.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: No Education Listed