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Why This Role Exists
Production departments need timely inspections. The QC Lead performs inspections alongside the team and also coordinates daily inspector assignments so the right inspectors are at the right stations at the right time. This role is the first escalation point when inspectors have measurement questions or encounter ambiguous specs.
Reporting Structure
The QC Supervisor owns department performance, staffing, NCR dispositions, and QMS system administration. The QC Lead handles daily inspector assignments, answers measurement questions on the floor, and escalates spec interpretation issues or nonconformance decisions to the supervisor.
Scope & Authority
This is a working inspector role with coordination responsibility. The lead performs inspections, guides less experienced inspectors, and keeps the inspection queue moving to avoid production bottlenecks.
Essential Responsibilities
Inspection (Primary)
- â–¶Perform in-process and final inspections per QCIPs, using calipers, micrometers, height gauges, pin gauges, and CMM
- â–¶Execute first article inspections (FAI) per AS9102 requirements
- â–¶Apply 100% inspection and heightened documentation rigor on high-risk programs:Â1062106410871093112611571161116911991209
- â–¶Record all measurement data accurately in the LTCQC system
- â–¶Perform receiving inspections on incoming materials per approved procedures
Inspector Coordination
- â–¶Assign inspectors to in-process stations, final inspection, and receiving based on production flow and supervisor priorities
- â–¶Rebalance assignments when production priorities shift, inspectors are absent, or inspection queues build up
- â–¶Coordinate with production leads on first article timing to minimize wait times
- â–¶Track inspection throughput and flag bottlenecks to the QC Supervisor
- ▶Communicate end-of-shift status — what was inspected, what's on hold, what needs attention
Training & Support
- â–¶Train new inspectors on measurement techniques, gauge usage, QCIP reading, and LTCQC data entry
- â–¶Be the first escalation point when inspectors encounter ambiguous specs or measurement questions
- â–¶Coach inspectors on GD&T interpretation and proper datum referencing
Quality System Support
- â–¶Initiate nonconformance reports when defects are found and ensure suspect product is quarantined
- â–¶Verify calibration status of inspection equipment before use
- â–¶Support internal and external audits with inspection records and process walk-throughs
- â–¶Maintain organized inspection stations and ensure measurement tools are properly stored
Requirements
- ✓4+ years quality inspection experience in a manufacturing environment
- ✓Proficient with standard inspection tools: calipers, micrometers, height gauges, pin gauges, thread gauges
- ✓Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and GD&T per ASME Y14.5
- ✓Experience with first article inspection (AS9102)
- ✓Experience working in an AS9100 or ISO 9001 certified shop
- ✓Strong communication skills — able to explain measurement findings clearly to production and report status to the supervisor
- ✓Attention to detail and documentation discipline — inspection records must be complete and accurate
- ✓Floor presence — this role leads by being at the inspection stations, not from a desk
Preferred
- ★CMM programming and operation experience
- ★Experience in a lead or senior inspector role
- ★Background in aerospace or medical device quality inspection
- ★Bilingual English/Spanish
What This Role Is Not
This role does not handle performance reviews, pay decisions, or disciplinary actions. Those are the QC Supervisor's responsibilities. The lead directs daily inspection assignments and flags people issues to the supervisor.
This role does not own CAPAs, manage the corrective action system, or make disposition decisions on nonconforming product. Those are quality engineering and supervisor functions. The lead initiates NCRs and provides inspection data for disposition.
The responsibilities above are the job. If the department needs a dedicated quality engineer or metrology specialist, those are separate roles.
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