What does a quality control inspector do?

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Quality control inspector responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real quality control inspector resumes:
- Coordinate joint surveys with SATORP inspectors and manage clearance of all issue active LBE and NCR.
- Conduct measurements and verify critical dimensions using micrometers, calipers, measuring tape, protractors and other calibrate instruments.
- Measure dimensions of products to verify conformance to specifications, using measuring instruments including rulers, calipers, gauges and micrometers.
- Use of the RF scanner to receive merchandises to their proper locations in a measure time.
- Fill items correctly while tracking inventory using RF scan gun; manually correct product counts in system.
- Complete lab checks on cook and raw pork products, as well as part of the HACCP team.
- Maintain regulations and standards to ensure compliance of all personnel as well as the property to company HACCP standards.
- Inspect materials by FAA and DCMA regulations regarding aircraft seating for commercial, military, and private use customers.
- Used online resources to obtain correct customer information and/ or troubleshoot issues if company software don't accept provide information.
- Make sure that the windows meet government energy code standards and the windows are made to the consumer's specifications.
- Review note discrepancy and original non-conformance (if any) and inspect parts/assemblies for note discrepancy or other obvious defects.
- Inspect medical products that are assembled by the company such as air flotation mattresses, pill crushing syringes and orthotics.
- Operate the CMM machinery and check the dimensional accuracy of different products, molds, dyes, components, components etc.
- Train new employees on company policies and standards of inspections and production line clearances, as well as upholding GMP guidelines.
- Process employ fabrication, welding, stamping, machine part, painting, pressure testing and NDT testing of pressure vessels.
Quality control inspector skills and personality traits
We calculated that 9% of Quality Control Inspectors are proficient in Calipers, Magnetic Particle, and Quality Products. They’re also known for soft skills such as Dexterity, Mechanical skills, and Physical strength.
We break down the percentage of Quality Control Inspectors that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Calipers, 9%
Measured dimensions of products to verify conformance to specifications, using measuring instruments including rulers, calipers, gauges and micrometers.
- Magnetic Particle, 9%
Inspected welds utilizing Radiography Testing, Magnetic Particle Testing and Liquid Penetrate Testing.
- Quality Products, 8%
Perform final mechanical and visual inspection on multiple product lines while coordinating with engineers and supervisors to ensure quality products.
- Micrometers, 7%
Inspected casing pipe using gauges and micrometers to ensure tolerance levels were within customer and/or blueprint specifications.
- Safety Standards, 5%
Comply with Environment and Food Safety Standards as prescribed in plant policies/programs within Department responsibilities.
- Quality Standards, 4%
Report the findings to Process Technicians, and Manufacturing Manager as required to ensure conformity of company engineering and quality standards.
"calipers," "magnetic particle," and "quality products" are among the most common skills that quality control inspectors use at work. You can find even more quality control inspector responsibilities below, including:
Mechanical skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling quality control inspector duties is mechanical skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "quality control inspectors use tools and machinery when testing products." According to a quality control inspector resume, here's how quality control inspectors can utilize mechanical skills in their job responsibilities: "performed mechanical, tooling, in-process, receiving, welding inspection and programming cmm (faro arm), welding inspection. "
Physical strength. This is an important skill for quality control inspectors to perform their duties. For an example of how quality control 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 control inspector: "use micrometers, pin gauges, calipers, tensil tester, gram scales to ensure physical conformities to standards. ".
Technical skills. For certain quality control inspector responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "technical skills." The day-to-day duties of a quality control inspector rely on this skill, as "to ensure that products and parts meet quality standards, inspectors must understand the relevant blueprints, technical documents, and manuals." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what quality control inspectors do: "utilized welding inspection procedures learned through technical educational training - reviewed mtr's for incoming material inspections. "
Math skills. Another crucial skill for a quality control inspector to carry out their responsibilities is "math skills." A big part of what quality control inspectors relies on this skill, since "knowledge of basic math is important for measuring, calibrating, and calculating specifications in quality control testing." How this skill relates to quality control inspector duties can be seen in an example from a quality control inspector resume snippet: "calculated dimensions and tolerances using knowledge of mathematics and instruments such as micrometers and vernier calipers. "
The three companies that hire the most quality control inspectors are:
- TPI56 quality control inspectors jobs
- The Aerospace Corporation40 quality control inspectors jobs
- PDS Tech35 quality control inspectors jobs
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Quality control 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 similarities exist, there are also some differences between quality control inspectors and inspector general. For instance, quality control inspector responsibilities require skills such as "calipers," "magnetic particle," "quality products," and "micrometers." Whereas a inspector general is skilled in "ig," "oig," "dod," and "audit reports." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Inspectors general tend to make the most money working in the government industry, where they earn an average salary of $59,592. In contrast, quality control inspectors make the biggest average salary, $42,355, in the automotive industry.On average, inspectors general reach higher levels of education than quality control inspectors. Inspectors general are 13.5% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 3.4% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Quality control inspector vs. Quality assurance technician
Quality assurance is an essential part of a company that offers products and services. It is critical that the company's output remains consistent and up to par with community standards. It is the assistant quality assurance manager's role to inspect, monitor, and evaluate the quality of every product. The goal is to establish customer satisfaction and trust. The assistant quality assurance manager works with the head manager and helps generate reports of daily activities for executive evaluations.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that quality control inspector responsibilities requires skills like "magnetic particle," "micrometers," "safety standards," and "inspection procedures." But a quality assurance technician might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "food safety," "lab equipment," "math," and "basic math."
Quality assurance technicians earn a higher average salary than quality control inspectors. But quality assurance technicians earn the highest pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $46,500. Additionally, quality control inspectors earn the highest salaries in the automotive with average pay of $42,355 annually.In general, quality assurance technicians achieve similar levels of education than quality control inspectors. They're 1.6% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 3.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Quality control inspector vs. Inspector
An inspector is responsible for overseeing the overall condition of the site, ensuring that it complies with the safety standards and regulations. Inspectors' duties include monitoring the quality of the materials used, inspecting any defects and discrepancies that might compromise the operations, generating reports to assess the product costing if it meets the budget goals, and utilizing available resources in the market for the highest quality project. An inspector must have excellent decision-making and critical-thinking skills to perform comprehensive actions on risk management and service delivery.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, quality control inspectors are more likely to have skills like "quality products," "micrometers," "inspection procedures," and "qa." But a inspector is more likely to have skills like "sketch," "good communication," "customer service," and "safety procedures."
Inspectors earn the highest salary when working in the automotive industry, where they receive an average salary of $47,091. Comparatively, quality control inspectors have the highest earning potential in the automotive industry, with an average salary of $42,355.Most inspectors achieve a similar degree level compared to quality control inspectors. For example, they're 0.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Quality control inspector vs. Technical inspector
The technical inspector is responsible for monitoring and ensuring operation meets standard. Skills required for this position include dexterity, math skills, and good physical strength. Education is a prerequisite for this post, and one must be cunning to deal with the public during an inspection.
Types of quality control inspector
Updated January 8, 2025











