Quality Control Inspector, Lead

Job Description

Job Description

Department: Operations

Title: Quality Control Inspector, Lead

Reports to: Chief Inspector

Document Date: Sept 25, 2026

Overview

The Quality Control Inspector, Lead is responsible for providing daily technical direction, compliance oversight, guidance, and operational support to the inspection team. Reporting directly to the Chief Inspector, this position performs all functions of a Quality Control Inspector while also operating as the initial technical resource and escalation point for complex quality, regulatory, airworthiness, certification, and traceability matters. The role ensures the consistent application of FAA regulations, AS9100D requirements, customer-specific requirements, company procedures, and industry best practices across all inspection and material handling activities.

As the lead inspector, this position assists with daily inspection priorities, supporting workforce development, and promoting operational consistency throughout the department. This role actively supports onboarding, training, qualification development, audit preparedness, process standardization, cross-functional collaboration; playing a crucial role in safeguarding inventory integrity, maintaining customer confidence, supporting operational excellence, and the overall success of the organization's quality objectives.

Specific Accountabilities

1. The initial technical resource and escalation point of contact for all Quality Control Inspectors for guidance on regulatory compliance, airworthiness documentation, traceability requirements, and inspection standards.
2. Collaborate with Chief Inspector and Operations Supervisor to establish and reinforce inspection standards to ensure uniform application of acceptance criteria, quality requirements, and material disposition decisions.
3. Guide and assist with development of Quality Control Inspectors to improve technical competency, regulatory knowledge, decision-making capabilities, and overall inspection effectiveness.
4. Facilitate onboarding, qualification programs, training plans, and skills assessments for new and existing inspection personnel.
5. Assist with monitoring inspector technical performance and provide recommendations to the Operations Supervisor and Chief Inspector regarding training needs, development plans, and performance improvement opportunities by individuals and department as a whole.
6. Promote a culture of accountability, professionalism, integrity, consistency and ownership throughout the Quality Control organization. 
7. Lead quality investigation aspects of nonconforming material, certification discrepancies, traceability concerns, and inventory-related quality events.
8. Identify operational risks, emerging quality concerns, and compliance deficiencies and proactively communicate findings to the Chief Inspector and Senior Director, Warehouse Operations
9. Support the Chief Inspector and Quality Control team in maintaining and improving the AS9100D Quality Management System and associated quality processes.
10. Ensure audit readiness by routinely reviewing documentation, records, traceability packages, certifications, and inspection processes.
11. Assist Quality Assurance team in planning, conducting, and supporting internal audits, customer audits, supplier audits, regulatory audits, and certification assessments.
12. Monitor audit findings, corrective action status as well as escalate recurring trends and opportunities for systemic improvement.
13. Support strategic quality and continuous improvement initiatives designed to reduce quality escapes, improve operational performance, compliance effectiveness, and customer satisfaction.

Qualifications

• 4+ years in aviation quality, technical records, stores inspection, MRO or aircraft-parts distribution.

• Advanced working knowledge of aviation quality systems, FAA regulations, AS9100D standards, AC 00-56 guidance, maintenance documentation, traceability requirements, certification management, airworthiness records, inventory control processes, and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Proficiency with ERP systems, inventory management software, quality management systems, Microsoft Office applications, and other business systems utilized to support aviation operations and regulatory compliance.
• Demonstrated strong analytical, organizational, leadership, and decision-making skills with the ability to evaluate risk, identify trends, determine root causes, and implement effective corrective actions.
• Ability to effectively communicate with inspectors, auditors, customers, suppliers, executive leadership, regulatory authorities, and cross-functional operational teams.