WIP Quality Inspector

McIntosh Laboratory•Binghamton, NY

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Work-In-Process (WIP) Quality Inspector ensures products, components, and manufacturing processes meet company quality standards throughout production. The role performs product inspections and process audits across Final Assembly, Glass Fabrication, Metal Finishing, and Silk-Screening operations in a high-mix, low-volume environment producing luxury audio products. The inspector verifies workmanship, cosmetic appearance, component installation, assembly accuracy, and adherence to standardized work, identifying defects and process deviations before products move to subsequent manufacturing stages. This position reports directly to the Quality Manager and works throughout the manufacturing floor. The inspector checks audio-product assemblies before electrical testing; verifies wiring, connections, hardware, and assembly against requirements; and inspects glass, metal-finished, powder-coated, and silk-screened components for workmanship and cosmetic quality. The role also conducts routine process audits, documents findings, identifies and segregates non-conforming materials, collaborates with production teams on quality concerns, and supports corrective actions, root-cause investigations, and continuous improvement.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Previous experience in quality inspection, manufacturing, assembly, or a related production environment.
Strong attention to detail and ability to identify cosmetic and workmanship defects.
Ability to read and interpret work instructions, assembly drawings, quality standards, and manufacturing documentation.
Basic computer skills for documentation, record retention, and reporting.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
Ability to work independently while collaborating closely with production and quality teams.

Nice To Haves

Experience inspecting electronic assemblies or consumer electronics products.
Experience in a high-mix, low-volume manufacturing environment.
Familiarity with process auditing, quality control methodologies, and inspection techniques.
Experience using visual standards and cosmetic acceptance criteria.
Knowledge of manufacturing processes including assembly, finishing, painting, glass fabrication, and silk screening.
Experience using inspection and measurement equipment.

Responsibilities

Inspect assembled audio products before electrical testing for compliance with quality standards, drawings, work instructions, and approved processes.
Verify wiring harness routing and placement, electrical connections, FFC seating, hardware installation, screw placement, and torque requirements where applicable.
Inspect products for scratches, dents, blemishes, finish imperfections, and assembly-related damage against visual standards.
Inspect glass assemblies for sealant leaks or bonding issues, verify plexiglass and foam-tape placement, and check illuminated assemblies for light leakage.
Check glass surfaces for scratches, chips, contamination, fingerprints, and other cosmetic defects.
Inspect stainless steel and powder-coated components for finish quality and defects, and verify finishes meet approved cosmetic standards.
Inspect silk-screened components for print quality, completeness, clarity, durability, alignment, and positioning of markings.
Prevent non-conforming materials from progressing through production.
Conduct routine process audits across Final Assembly, Glass, Metal Finishing, and Silk Screening operations.
Verify operators follow current work instructions, visual standards, standard operating procedures, and standardized work practices.
Audit critical-to-quality characteristics, including wiring configurations, hardware installation, torque requirements, material handling, cosmetic standards, and component traceability.
Observe manufacturing operations for process deviations, inefficiencies, and risks that may affect product quality.
Document audit findings, communicate non-conformances to production leadership and the Quality Manager, track findings through resolution, and verify corrective-action effectiveness.
Conduct routine in-process inspections, document results, and maintain accurate quality records.
Identify, segregate, and report non-conforming materials and products.
Collaborate with production teams to resolve quality concerns and provide objective feedback on product quality, process performance, and adherence to standards.
Assist with root-cause analysis and corrective-action implementation, and participate in continuous improvement initiatives.
Support quality initiatives and quality management system compliance, and promote defect prevention at the source.