Quality Inspector

Location Details

Location: Onsite in  Kinston, North Carolina

About the job you are considering

The Quality Inspector (Quality Line Side - QLS) is responsible for performing line-side inspections on client aerostructure assemblies and components to ensure compliance with engineering, manufacturing, regulatory, and customer requirements. The inspector works directly within the client Kinston production environment supporting Aircraft programs, performing detailed inspections of fuselage panels, structural assemblies, finishes, fastener installations, and product conformity.

This role serves as a critical member of the Quality Operations team, responsible for identifying, documenting, and managing non-conformities while ensuring product integrity, traceability, safety, and compliance with client Production Organization Approval (POA) and applicable aerospace regulations.

Your Role

Aircraft Structure Inspection
Conduct QLS inspections of aircraft structures, including left/right panels, laterals, junctions, crown assemblies, forward lower shell assemblies, and IML/OML surfaces. Verify structural conformity to client manufacturing and quality requirements.

Paint and Surface Inspection
Perform OML paint inspections per client specifications, including appearance and color verification, paint thickness measurement, specular gloss evaluation, orange peel assessment, and surface condition inspection.

Fastener Installation Inspection
Inspect countersunk fastener dishing, flushness, collar and grip length, lockbolt installations, damaged collars/nuts, and fastener angularity. Use calibrated gauges and measuring equipment in accordance with client assembly instructions.

Structural Defect Assessment
Evaluate surface damage, composite laminate conditions, structural deviations, contour and dimensional conformity, and component condition of supply. Support defect characterization and concession verification activities.

Non-Conformance Management
Identify and contain non-conformities, create and process NCRs, maintain quality data in MES/SAP, verify concessions and defect dispositions, support corrective/preventive actions, and participate in root cause investigations.

FOD Prevention
Verify FOD removal from structures, cavities, and assemblies prior to release. Apply IAQG EN9146 principles and support zero-defect, zero-FOD, product safety, and workmanship excellence objectives.

Documentation & Compliance
Document inspection results, maintain traceability records, ensure compliance with client quality processes and work instructions, participate in surveillance and process reviews, and support quality audits and customer inspections.

Your Skills and Experience

• High School Diploma or GED required; Associate Degree in Aerospace, Manufacturing, Engineering Technology, or Quality preferred.
• Minimum 3 years of quality inspection experience in aerospace manufacturing, aircraft assembly, composites, or aerostructures.
• Experience with line-side inspections in a production environment and non-conformance management systems.
• Experience using MES, SAP, or equivalent manufacturing systems preferred.

Required Knowledge

• Aerospace manufacturing processes, aircraft structures and assemblies, composite and metallic aerostructures.
• Fastener installation inspection, dimensional inspection techniques, and product conformity verification.
• FOD prevention programs, configuration management principles, and Quality Management Systems (QMS).

Inspection Tools & Equipment Proficient in using calipers, micrometers, flushness gauges, height/length gauges, magnifying devices, mirrors, flashlights, precision measuring equipment, and calibrated inspection tools.

Systems & Software Experience with SAP, MES (Manufacturing Execution System), Microsoft Office, digital inspection applications, MIRA inspection tools (preferr