Quality Inspection Lead

Position Title: Quality Inspection Lead

Department: Quality

Reports to: Quality Assurance Manager/Quality and Compliance Lead

Wage Range: $27.00 to $33.00

The Quality Inspection Lead is responsible for leading and coordinating all inspection and quality assurance activities across incoming, in-process, and final inspection functions within a PCBA manufacturing environment. This role ensures inspection activities meet IPC standards, customer requirements, and internal quality procedures while supporting production schedules and preventing nonconforming product from reaching customers. The Quality Inspection Lead provides daily leadership to inspection and QA personnel, maintains audit-ready quality records, supports customer quality needs, and collaborates cross-functionally to drive defect reduction, continuous improvement, and compliance with quality system requirements.

• Inspection & QA Leadership:
  • Lead and oversee Incoming Inspection, In-Process Inspection (AOI and X-ray), QA Technicians, and Final QA Inspection activities.
  • Assign daily inspection priorities to support production schedules while maintaining quality requirements.
  • Provide technical guidance and direction to inspection and QA personnel.
  • Approve PTO and planned vacation requests for inspection and QA staff while ensuring adequate coverage.
• Quality Compliance & Inspection Control:
  • Ensure inspection activities are performed in accordance with IPC standards, customer requirements, and internal procedures.
  • Enforce consistent inspection criteria and defect classification across all inspection functions.
  • Prevent shipment of nonconforming product and escalate quality risks as required.
• Records & Documentation Management:
  • Maintain accurate and complete quality records, including inspection results, defect logs, and 3-5-10 deviation acceptance documentation.
  • Ensure quality records are traceable, complete, and audit-ready.
  • Support documentation requirements for internal and external audits.
• Customer & RMA Support:
  • Serve as a point of contact for customer communication related to inspection findings, deviations, RMAs, and quality concerns when required.
  • Support deviation acceptance requests and coordinate customer approvals as needed.
  • Problem Resolution & Continuous Improvement:
    • Assist with defect containment, root cause analysis, and corrective action implementation.
    • Support cross-functional teams in resolving quality issues and improving inspection effectiveness.
    • Identify opportunities for process improvement and defect reduction.
• Collaboration & Professional Conduct:
  • Collaborate with Manufacturing, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Quality teams to support production flow and quality objectives.
  • Demonstrate strong verbal and written communication skills.
  • Be a role model by following and reinforcing safety, ESD, ITAR, and QMS requirements.
  • Maintain confidentiality and professionalism at all times.
  • Other duties as assigned.

• Experience in PCBA manufacturing and inspection processes.
• Flexible and dependable
• Ability to lead the team
• Working knowledge of IPC standards (IPC-A-610, IPC-7711/7721).
• Experience with AOI and X-ray inspection systems.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, BOMs, and specifications.
• Strong attention to detail and decision-making skills.
• Effective people leadership and teamwork skills.
• Ability to plan, prioritize, and collaborate in a production environment.

• Prior experience leading inspection or QA teams.
• Experience supporting AS9100 or other regulated quality systems.

As part of our commitment to a safe and trustworthy workplace, Impact ES Vancouver conducts background checks on all final candidates. These checks may include verification of employment history, education, criminal records, and other relevant information, depending on the position.

All background checks will be conducted in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).

A candidate's background will not be used as the sole basis for disqualification unless it is determined to be directly related to the responsibilities of the position.