What does a quality assurance inspector do?

Quality Assurance Auditors are employees who ensure the adherence of other employees to company processes and guidelines. They are expected to be experts on quality assurance processes and procedures. They also have in-depth knowledge of the expected outcomes of such processes to ensure that the company only provides quality products and services. Quality assurance auditors are also familiar with regulatory laws and policies of governing bodies that oversee companies in their particular industry. They ensure that their companies are compliant and may conduct random quality checks every now and then.
Quality assurance inspector responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real quality assurance inspector resumes:
- Coordinate joint surveys with SATORP inspectors and manage clearance of all issue active LBE and NCR.
- Work with IPC and ISO regulations.
- Examine parts for damage or excessive wear using micrometers and gauges and other specialize test equipment.
- Measure dimensions of products to verify conformance to specifications, using measuring instruments such as rulers, calipers or micrometers.
- Inspect and measure surgical steel medical devices for critical dimensions, checking tolerance using micrometers and calipers reading from blueprint designs.
- Qualify coating systems and painters to ASTM standards.
- Utilize math skills and technical ability to verify parts are made in accordance to blue prints.
- Teach clean room protocol and contamination control of precision clean hardware as pertains to NASA specifications.
- Support QA during external audits by retrieving any QC relate data or vendor docs as requested.
- Prepare rejection reports for non- conforming items and send reports to QC manager, production engineer & buyer (purchaser).
- Measure product with micrometers for accurate measurement and dimensions.
- Train inspectors and operators on quality procedures and CMM operations.
- Develop part measurement programs and operator work instructions for CMM applications.
- Perform AQL inspections on finish packaged lots of medicine to determine lot acceptability.
- Solve problems utilizing process surveillance, aerospace engineering processes, and business principles.
Quality assurance inspector skills and personality traits
We calculated that 7% of Quality Assurance Inspectors are proficient in Calipers, Micrometers, and Corrective Action. They’re also known for soft skills such as Dexterity, Mechanical skills, and Physical strength.
We break down the percentage of Quality Assurance Inspectors that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Calipers, 7%
Inspected and measured surgical steel medical devices for critical dimensions, checking tolerance using micrometers and calipers reading from blueprint designs.
- Micrometers, 6%
Experience using CMM and Micrometers and Dial indicators and various measuring equipment
- Corrective Action, 5%
Provided copies to USDA, Supervisors and Managers of each functional area requesting corrective actions/preventative measures for deficiencies throughout the facility.
- Safety Standards, 5%
Communicated with floor manager when damaged parts were discovered to ensure company safety standards were adhered to.
- Inspection Reports, 4%
Prepared inspection report and other documentation in conformance to project test and inspection procedure in compliance with the customer documentation requirements.
- Quality Standards, 4%
Supervised operators daily production ensuring schedules are met while following all safety Procedures, Good Manufacturing Practices and Quality Standards.
"calipers," "micrometers," and "corrective action" are among the most common skills that quality assurance inspectors use at work. You can find even more quality assurance inspector responsibilities below, including:
Mechanical skills. Another essential skill to perform quality assurance inspector duties is mechanical skills. Quality assurance inspectors responsibilities require that "quality control inspectors use tools and machinery when testing products." Quality assurance inspectors also use mechanical skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "perform precision mechanical inspection of space flight parts using cmm's, shadowgraph and various tools. "
Physical strength. This is an important skill for quality assurance inspectors to perform their duties. For an example of how quality assurance inspector responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "quality control inspectors may be required to lift or maneuver heavy production materials or finished products." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a quality assurance inspector: "verified the physical, chemical and heat treating properties of materials were compatible to required asme and customer specifications. ".
Technical skills. quality assurance inspector responsibilities often require "technical skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "to ensure that products and parts meet quality standards, inspectors must understand the relevant blueprints, technical documents, and manuals." This resume example shows what quality assurance inspectors do with technical skills on a typical day: "followed technical drawings to ensure product is tested to customer specifications. "
Math skills. Another common skill required for quality assurance inspector responsibilities is "math skills." This skill comes up in the duties of quality assurance inspectors all the time, as "knowledge of basic math is important for measuring, calibrating, and calculating specifications in quality control testing." An excerpt from a real quality assurance inspector resume shows how this skill is central to what a quality assurance inspector does: "inspect product for specific customers additive inspection per customer specifications verify sanitation and contaminant risk data entry of daily statistics"
The three companies that hire the most quality assurance inspectors are:
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Quality assurance inspector vs. Test operator
The job of a test operator is to test the functionality of electronic components, assemblies, units, parts, and systems in a manner consistent with standard procedures. As a test operator, you will perform a variety of duties that include working with engineers to ensure accurate procedures are being followed, perform different mechanical assembly operations, and inspecting products for the correct orientation and placement. Additionally, you will assemble electronics in their boxes and notify the quality/test engineer if the test yields below the acceptable levels.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, quality assurance inspector responsibilities require skills like "calipers," "micrometers," "corrective action," and "safety standards." Meanwhile a typical test operator has skills in areas such as "hand tools," "test procedures," "safety rules," and "windows." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Test operators really shine in the technology industry with an average salary of $44,634. Comparatively, quality assurance inspectors tend to make the most money in the government industry with an average salary of $48,138.The education levels that test operators earn slightly differ from quality assurance inspectors. In particular, test operators are 1.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a quality assurance inspector. Additionally, they're 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Quality assurance inspector vs. Inspector general
An inspector general is responsible for doing audit reports and inspections to ensure that no possible fraud, misconduct, corruption, or power abuse in the government or private sector occurs. Their role is to monitor and inspect the agencies' effectiveness, assess possible mismanagement of a company, and improve the economy. Also, they usually conduct and review audit reports or investigations to ensure an agency's compliance to the policies and guidelines.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that quality assurance inspector responsibilities requires skills like "calipers," "micrometers," "safety standards," and "quality standards." But an inspector general might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "ig," "oig," "dod," and "audit reports."
Inspectors general earn a higher average salary than quality assurance inspectors. But inspectors general earn the highest pay in the government industry, with an average salary of $59,592. Additionally, quality assurance inspectors earn the highest salaries in the government with average pay of $48,138 annually.inspectors general earn higher levels of education than quality assurance inspectors in general. They're 12.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Quality assurance inspector vs. Quality control technician
Usually assigned in a manufacturing plant, a quality control technician's role focuses on testing and assessing materials before, after, and during a production process to ensure its efficiency. They also have responsibilities in implementing the policies and regulations of the company, all to maintain a safe and productive working environment for every employee. Furthermore, a quality control technician must produce necessary reports and documentation, coordinate with managers and supervisors, maintain accurate documentation, and oversee a team to secure quality standard outcomes.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from quality assurance inspector resumes include skills like "micrometers," "inspection reports," "inspection procedures," and "product quality," whereas a quality control technician is more likely to list skills in "lab equipment," "quality control tests," "asphalt," and "quality products. "
Quality control technicians earn the highest salary when working in the health care industry, where they receive an average salary of $45,814. Comparatively, quality assurance inspectors have the highest earning potential in the government industry, with an average salary of $48,138.quality control technicians typically earn similar educational levels compared to quality assurance inspectors. Specifically, they're 0.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Quality assurance inspector vs. Quality control
As the name entails, the job of a quality control inspector is to inspect, maintain, and improve the quality and standard of products. They are responsible for ensuring the company's reputation is not damaged due to defective products or inferior manufacturing processes. This can be done by detecting and resolving the problem early on, and returning the product for repair. A quality control inspector should also notify the supervisors immediately when issues arise and coordinate with them to address the problem.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between quality assurance inspectors and quality controls, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a quality assurance inspector might have more use for skills like "calipers," "micrometers," "basic math," and "inspection procedures." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of quality controls require skills like "quality checks," "laboratory equipment," "troubleshoot," and "rf. "
The technology industry tends to pay the highest salaries for quality controls, with average annual pay of $36,096. Comparatively, the highest quality assurance inspector annual salary comes from the government industry.In general, quality controls hold similar degree levels compared to quality assurance inspectors. Quality controls are 1.8% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.6% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of quality assurance inspector
Updated January 8, 2025











