Quality Inspector

AeroVironment•Germantown, MD

About The Position

AeroVironment is seeking a Quality Inspector to join its Quality team and report directly to the Quality Manager. The role inspects purchased parts and materials received from external providers for conformity to standards, specifications, and processing requirements. The inspector works from released drawings, procedures, and specifications; determines or assists in determining inspection methods, sequences, and procedures; and adapts measuring devices and procedures where necessary. The role communicates across departments and provides timely information to stakeholders, with a focus on improving product and process quality. The inspector performs incoming, final, and first-article inspections; evaluates machined, fabricated, molded, and assembled components; verifies documentation and certifications; and makes pass/fail decisions. Work includes interpreting engineering drawings, GD&T, datum structures, revisions, and inspection criteria; using precision measurement and inspection equipment; maintaining inspection records and test data; preparing inspection and discrepancy reports; and initiating nonconformance reports or quarantining material as needed. The inspector also supports calibration, statistical studies, quality-control improvements, returned-material checks, and training of Level 1 and 2 quality inspectors. The role serves as the foreign object debris/damage point of contact and provides backup calibration technician support. The work may take place in an office, engineering laboratory, and manufacturing environment. The role requires compliance with health, safety, security, ESD, material-handling, and personal protective equipment requirements. Access to ITAR/EAR-controlled information requires applicants to qualify as a U.S. person or be eligible for an export license; some positions require current U.S. citizenship due to contract requirements.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
IPC-610/620 certification or ability to be recertified.
Familiarity with ISO and AS Quality Management Systems.
Experience using inspection tools such as calipers, micrometers, and height gauges.
Experience reading and understanding engineering drawings, aerospace certifications, and test reports.
Experience receiving packages, entering data, organizing documentation, and scanning documentation.
Familiarity with ESD and proper material-handling procedures.
Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office applications.
Technical math skills, including basic shop math, measurement systems and unit conversion, and numeric conversions involving decimals, fractions, and scientific notation.
Ability to work efficiently with minimal supervision and demonstrate attention to detail and critical thinking.
Ability to comply with applicable health, safety, and security regulations.
Ability to wear required personal protective equipment.
Ability to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls, reach with hands and arms, climb stairs, and talk or hear.
Ability to occasionally lift or move up to 25 pounds, with or without assistance.
Vision abilities including close, distance, color, and peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
Must qualify as a U.S. person under ITAR/EAR or be eligible for an export license; some positions require current U.S. citizenship due to contract requirements.

Nice To Haves

Three or more years of inspection, precision, mechanical, or metrological inspection experience.
Experience using metrology tools and gauges.
Experience in aerospace, automotive, semiconductor, or electronic industries.
Associate degree, technical certificate, or completed vocational training in mechanical technology, manufacturing technology, metrology, quality, or a related field.
Experience with advanced inspection methods or equipment, including CMM programming or operation, portable CMM or articulated-arm measurement systems, vision systems or optical comparators, surface-roughness measurement, or digital inspection and reporting software.
Familiarity with inspecting machined parts, sheet-metal components, composites, additive-manufactured parts, electromechanical assemblies, or flight hardware.
Experience performing or supporting AS9102 first-article inspections.

Responsibilities

Inspect purchased parts and materials received from external providers for conformity to standards, specifications, and processing requirements.
Determine or assist in determining inspection methods, sequences, and procedures, and adapt inspection measuring devices and procedures where necessary.
Review and interpret engineering drawings, models, specifications, purchase orders, inspection instructions, checklists, GD&T, datum structures, revisions, and inspection criteria.
Perform incoming, final, and first-article inspections, including inspections per IPC-610/620 and AS9102 where applicable.
Perform mechanical, dimensional, visual, and documentation inspections of machined, fabricated, molded, and assembled components.
Use precision measuring equipment and inspection tools, including calipers, micrometers, height gauges, pin and plug gauges, thread gauges, surface plates, optical comparators, and CMMs as applicable.
Verify material certifications, special-process certifications, first-article inspection documentation, and other supplier or production records.
Apply sampling principles, make pass/fail decisions, maintain inspection records, and prepare and maintain test data for review.
Visually inspect for defects or damage, including corrosion, cracks, dents, scratches, and pits.
Prepare inspection reports, initiate nonconformance reports, quarantine material when needed, and create discrepancy reports for suspect or identified counterfeit parts.
Communicate inspection findings and other key information to departments and stakeholders in a timely manner.
Assist with calibration of quality-control equipment and serve as backup Calibration Technician.
Train Quality Inspection Level 1 and 2 personnel.
Serve as the foreign object debris/damage point of contact.
Run statistical studies such as reproducibility and capability studies, and apply familiarity with statistical process control methodologies.
Identify opportunities to improve quality control and product or process quality.
Confirm repairs and product quality on material returned from repair.
Prioritize daily inspection requirements, maintain a clean and organized workspace, work efficiently with minimal supervision, and comply with health, safety, and security regulations.