3rd Shift Quality Inspector
Location: Gastonia, NC 28056
Pay: $17.00 per hour
Schedule: Monday through Thursday
Shift Hours: 5:30 PM to 4:00 AM
Position Summary
We are seeking an experienced and detail-oriented 3rd Shift Quality Inspector to ensure metal-mechanical automotive components meet customer specifications, engineering requirements, internal quality standards, and applicable regulatory requirements.
The Quality Inspector will perform visual and dimensional inspections, document inspection results, identify non-conforming products, and support quality improvement efforts throughout the manufacturing process.
Previous manufacturing quality inspection experience is required. Candidates must be able to read blueprints and use precision measuring equipment, including calipers, micrometers, height gauges, and other inspection tools.
Key Responsibilities
Inspection and Measurement
- Perform visual and dimensional inspections of metal automotive components.
- Use precision measuring equipment, including calipers, micrometers, height gauges, inspection gauges, and other measurement tools.
- Operate Coordinate Measuring Machines, or CMMs, when required.
- Read and interpret blueprints, engineering drawings, technical specifications, and inspection instructions.
- Verify that products comply with engineering drawings, GD&T requirements, customer specifications, and internal quality standards.
- Inspect incoming materials, in-process components, and finished products.
- Identify defects, inconsistencies, and products that do not meet specifications.
- Conduct surface finish, hardness, and material property inspections when required.
Documentation and Reporting
- Accurately record inspection results in quality management systems.
- Complete inspection reports and maintain product traceability.
- Prepare Non-Conformance Reports, or NCRs, for defective or non-compliant products.
- Assist with PPAP documentation, control plans, inspection plans, and work instructions.
- Ensure inspection records are complete, accurate, and submitted on time.
Process and Quality Control
- Monitor production processes to ensure compliance with established quality requirements.
- Report deviations, defects, and process concerns to the appropriate supervisor.
- Support containment activities for non-conforming products.
- Assist with root-cause analysis using tools such as 5-Why and Fishbone diagrams.
- Support the implementation of corrective and preventive actions.
- Help prevent defective products from reaching customers.
Compliance and Audits
- Follow IATF 16949, ISO 9001, and customer-specific quality requirements.
- Support internal, customer, and third-party audits.
- Ensure measuring tools are properly calibrated, maintained, stored, and handled.
- Follow all established safety, quality, and production procedures.
Communication
- Work closely with production employees, quality engineers, supervisors, and management to resolve quality concerns.
- Clearly communicate inspection results, product defects, and process deviations.
- Promptly escalate urgent quality concerns to prevent the continued production of defective products.
- Provide accurate information during shift transitions and production handoffs.
Areas of Responsibility
- Incoming material inspection
- In-process product inspection
- Final product inspection
- Non-conformance reporting
- Product containment
- Calibration and proper use of measurement tools
- Inspection documentation and traceability
- Support of corrective actions and continuous improvement initiatives
Required Qualifications
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Previous manufacturing quality inspection experience is required.
- Must be able to read and interpret blueprints, engineering drawings, and technical specifications.
- Must have experience using precision measuring equipment, including calipers, micrometers, height gauges, inspection gauges, and other inspection tools.
- Knowledge of GD&T principles and dimensional measurement techniques.
- Ability to identify defects and determine whether products meet established specifications.
- Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office.
- Ability to accurately complete inspection reports and quality documentation.
- Ability to work the full scheduled shift from 5:30 PM to 4:00 AM, Monday through Thursday.
Preferred Qualifications
- Technical certification in manufacturing, quality, metal-mechanical operations, or a related field.
- Quality inspection experience in automotive or metal manufacturing.
- Familiarity with IATF 16949, ISO 9001, or similar quality standards.
- Basic knowledge of Statistical Process Control, or SPC.
- Familiarity with ERP systems or quality management software.
- Experience operating a CMM.
- Basic CMM programming knowledge.
- Familiarity with PPAP documentation, control plans, inspection plans, and traceability systems.
Core Technical Skills
Measurement and Inspection
- Proficiency with calipers, micrometers, height gauges, inspection gauges, and other precision measuring equipment.
- Ability to read and interpret blueprints and engineering drawings.
- Understanding of GD&T principles.
- Knowledge of surface finish, hardness, and material property testing.
- Ability to properly handle, maintain, and verify the calibration status of inspection equipment.
Quality Standards and Compliance
- Understanding of manufacturing quality requirements.
- Familiarity with IATF 16949 and ISO 9001 requirements.
- Familiarity with customer-specific quality requirements.
- Familiarity with control plans, inspection plans, and work instructions.
Documentation and Reporting
- Ability to complete inspection reports accurately.
- Experience completing Non-Conformance Reports.
- Familiarity with PPAP documentation and traceability systems.
- Strong recordkeeping and documentation skills.
Statistical and Analytical Skills
- Basic knowledge of Statistical Process Control.
- Familiarity with Pareto charts, cause-and-effect diagrams, and other quality tools.
- Ability to identify quality trends and recurring defects.
Problem-Solving
- Ability to support root-cause analysis.
- Familiarity with 5-Why and Fishbone problem-solving methods.
- Ability to assist with corrective and preventive actions.
Technical Software
- Familiarity with ERP systems and quality management software.
- Basic Microsoft Office skills.
- Basic understanding of CMM programming is preferred but not required.
Performance Expectations
Quality Inspectors may be evaluated based on the following performance indicators:
- First-pass yield goal of 98% or higher.
- Inspection error rate goal of 1% or lower.
- Number of inspections completed per shift.
- Inspection cycle time and overall productivity.
- Inspection report accuracy goal of 99% or higher.
- Zero major audit findings related to inspection activities.
- Detection of defects before products are shipped.
- Prevention of defective products from reaching customers.
- Completion of required training and skill certifications.
- Support of continuous improvement initiatives.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds.
- Ability to stand, walk, and move for extended periods.
- Ability to bend, squat, reach overhead, and perform repetitive movements.
- Ability to use precision measuring instruments throughout the shift.
- Ability to visually inspect small details, measurements, and product surfaces.
- Ability to work the full scheduled shift from 5:30 PM to 4:00 AM.
Work Environment
- Automotive manufacturing and warehouse environment.
- Exposure to fluctuating temperatures.
- Exposure to loud noise, dust, machinery, and other typical manufacturing conditions.
- Personal protective equipment, or PPE, must be worn as required.
- Employees must follow all workplace safety, quality, and production procedures.
Reporting Structure
Reports To: Quality Supervisor or Quality Manager
Works With: Production, Engineering, Quality Assurance, and other operational departments
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