Quality Inspector

Job Title: Quality Inspector

Job Description

The Quality Inspector ensures that raw materials, components, and finished products meet established quality standards and customer requirements. This role involves inspecting, testing, measuring, and documenting products throughout the manufacturing process to identify defects, verify specifications, and maintain product integrity. You will support robust quality assurance processes that enable the delivery of high-reliability, mission-critical parts and systems.

Responsibilities

• Inspect parts for surface defects such as chips, scratches, and pinholes and ensure they meet visual quality standards.
• Verify surface finishes using standard comparison methods to confirm compliance with specifications.
• Read and interpret blueprints, engineering drawings, and specifications to determine inspection criteria.
• Analyze technical documents to define inspection requirements and appropriate measurement methods.
• Perform receiving inspections on incoming materials, catalog parts, COTS components, and production hardware.
• Conduct in-process inspections of assemblies and components to detect defects early in the manufacturing process.
• Perform final inspections of assemblies and finished products to verify full compliance with customer and internal requirements.
• Measure dimensions, angles, radii, and other critical features using precision instruments such as calipers, micrometers, gauges, and other measuring tools.
• Conduct First Article Inspections (FAI) in accordance with AS9102 standards and document results accurately.
• Utilize inspection equipment including surface plates, dial indicators, height gauges, hardness testers, torque testers, micrometers, calipers, and fixed gauges.
• Verify product conformity through detailed visual and dimensional inspections and document any deviations.
• Calculate defect rates and prepare clear, accurate inspection reports for internal use and customer review.
• Document inspection results and maintain accurate, organized quality records in accordance with quality system requirements.
• Generate Non-Conformance Reports (NCRs) for defective products and ensure proper documentation of nonconformities.
• Ensure proper product identification, traceability, and inspection status throughout the manufacturing and inspection process.
• Inspect wiring, cables, hardware, electronic boards, and assemblies for compliance with drawings, specifications, and workmanship standards.
• Evaluate electrical terminations and workmanship standards in line with IPC-A-610 and IPC-WHMA-620 guidelines.
• Review manufacturing documentation for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with quality and customer requirements.
• Support customer source inspections by preparing products, documentation, and records for review.
• Conduct final product inspections and prepare quality documentation packages for customer shipments.
• Maintain inspection, testing, and manufacturing records to support audits and continuous improvement.
• Support calibration and maintenance programs for inspection and test equipment to ensure measurement accuracy.
• Progress from a primary focus on incoming inspection to in-process and final inspection as cross-training is completed.
• Participate in cross-training to become qualified to support all phases of inspection, including incoming, in-process, and final inspection.

Essential Skills

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities to evaluate inspection results and identify root causes of defects.
• Excellent attention to detail to detect subtle defects and ensure accurate measurements.
• Effective time management skills to handle multiple inspection tasks and meet production schedules.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills to document findings and collaborate with production and engineering teams.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Excel, and Word, for reporting and documentation.
• Experience using ERP or manufacturing inventory management systems for tracking materials and inspection status.
• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Minimum of 1 year of quality inspection experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience using precision measuring tools, including calipers, micrometers, gauges, and other measuring instruments.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, engineering drawings, and schematics.
• Knowledge of AS9100 quality standards.
• Familiarity with quality control and quality inspection processes in a production environment.
• Ability to inspect electrical and electronic assemblies, wiring, and hardware.
• Capability to perform First Article Inspections (FAI) in accordance with AS9102 standards.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Preferred: 3+ years of inspection experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience inspecting electronic boards and electronic components.
• Experience with soldering and electronic assembly inspection.
• Knowledge of IPC-A-610 and IPC-WHMA-620 workmanship standards.
• Experience as an IPC-A-610 inspector or similar certification is highly beneficial.
• Familiarity with production processes involving electrical wiring and electrical assemblies.
• Experience inspecting machined components and catalog/commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) parts.
• Comfort working with measuring tools, including calipers, micrometers, gauges, and other precision instruments.
• Experience in quality control, including generating and managing Non-Conformance Reports (NCRs).
• Experience reviewing manufacturing documentation and quality records for completeness and compliance.

Why Work Here?

You will join a team dedicated to producing high-quality, high-reliability parts and systems for mission-critical applications. The organization emphasizes robust quality assurance processes, strong engineering and manufacturing capabilities, and reliable on-time delivery. You will work alongside experienced personnel who value accuracy, continuous improvement, and customer satisfaction. The environment supports professional growth through cross-training across multiple inspection phases and exposure to industry-recognized standards and practices.

Work Environment

This role is based in a production-controlled environment focused on the manufacture of high-reliability parts and systems. You will work closely with manufacturing, engineering, and quality teams and use a wide range of inspection and test equipment, including surface plates, dial indicators, height gauges, hardness testers, torque testers, micrometers, calipers, fixed gauges, and other precision measuring tools. The inspection scope initially emphasizes incoming inspection of catalog parts, COTS components, machined parts, and production hardware, with progression into in-process and final inspection as cross-training is completed. Work is structured and process-driven, with a strong emphasis on documentation, traceability, and adherence to established quality standards.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Santa Barbara, CA.

The pay range for this position is $20.00 - $26.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Santa Barbara, CA.

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 28, 2026.

This is a fully onsite position in Santa Barbara,CA.

About Aerotek

Aerotek® Inc. provides staffing and services solutions in manufacturing, logistics, construction, aviation, facilities and maintenance. We provide the expertise, solutions and people required to rise to the challenges of North American industry. Headquartered in Hanover, Md., Aerotek operates a unified network of over 200 offices across North America, supporting more than 18,000 clients each year. Aerotek is an Allegis Group company, the global leader in workforce and business solutions. To learn more, visit: Aerotek.com | 1-888-AEROTEK.

Aerotek offers weekly pay, employee benefits including medical, dental & vision, life insurance, health advocacy and employee assistance programs, a 401(k) plan, and employee discounts.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.