Chief Quality Inspector - PPAP​/Fairs

Chief Quality Inspector

PPAP / FAIRs - Aerospace Precision Engineering

Basildon, Essex

Permanent Position

Working Hours:

• 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Monday to Thursday
• 8:00 am - 3:30 pm Friday

We're partnered with an established aerospace precision engineering business supplying high-quality, bespoke components to leading OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers.

Due to continued growth, they're looking for an experienced Chief Quality Inspector / Quality Inspection Team Leader to take ownership of the inspection function and lead a small team.

This is a hands‑on leadership role for someone who is technically strong, organised and confident taking ownership of PPAP, FAIRs and dimensional inspection within a precision manufacturing environment.

You’ll lead and coordinate a small team of two Quality Inspectors, while remaining hands‑on with firstoff, in-process and final inspection.

You’ll work closely with Production and Engineering to maintain quality standards, resolve issues and ensure customer requirements are met.

• Leading and coordinating a team of two Quality Inspectors
• Planning inspection workloads and setting daily priorities
• Carrying out firstoff, in-process and final inspection
• Taking ownership of FAIRs / First Article Inspection Reports
• Preparing and managing PPAP documentation and submissions
• Interpreting engineering drawings, specifications and GD&T
• Supporting nonconformance investigations and quality issues
• Ensuring inspection equipment is correctly used and calibrated
• Maintaining accurate inspection and quality records
• Working closely with Production and Engineering
• Mentoring and developing the inspection team
• Supporting continuous improvement across quality processes

• Proven experience within precision engineering or aerospace manufacturing
• Previous experience as a Senior Quality Inspector, Chief Inspector, Inspection Team Leader or similar
• Strong handson dimensional inspection experience
• Proven experience with FAIRs / First Article Inspection Reports
• Good working knowledge of PPAP
• Strong understanding of engineering drawings and GD&T
• Experience leading, mentoring or coordinating a small inspection team
• Strong organisational and problem solving skills
• Aerospace experience highly advantageous

• Competitive salary - DOE
• 21 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Sage benefits
• Company pension scheme
• Overtime available at 1.5x hourly rate
• Opportunity to lead a small quality inspection team
• Longterm opportunity within an established aerospace precision engineering business

If you're an experienced Quality Inspector / Chief Inspector looking to take ownership of a quality function within a specialist aerospace manufacturing environment, I'd be interested in hearing from you.