A quality inspector usually works in the manufacturing industry to ensure that top engineers’ standards are followed throughout the manufacturing process. These professionals, also known as quality-control inspectors or product testers, are relied upon management to detect flaws in a company’s products before consumers do. Many companies tailor their quality-assurance programs to suit their specific mission and product line, despite the fact that various quality-control certification agencies exist to provide more generalized training.
In 2008, the manufacturing sector employed nearly 70% of quality inspectors, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. These professionals earned an average wage of $22.10 per hour in more advanced environments, such as aerospace and aviation parts manufacturing, in that year. Workers in other industries, on the other hand, earned an average of $13.87 per hour. Around 450,000 Americans worked as quality inspectors or product testers in 2008.
Before products are presented to customers, a quality inspector will test them using statistical methods. This is necessary because many products cannot be tested individually to ensure quality. Food-processing or beer-making operations, for example, cannot test or inspect every item before it is packaged. They can, however, use statistical sampling to test items at predetermined time or quantity intervals. As a result, you can rest assured that the products that haven’t been inspected are also flawless.
A quality inspector may test every function of every item before it leaves the factory for some manufacturers, such as automobile or furniture manufacturers. This could entail taking a vehicle for a test drive and utilizing all of its features. It could also mean bouncing on a mattress to ensure that the springs do not squeak.
A quality inspector’s responsibilities are likely to differ slightly from company to company. Some are required to meticulously record defects in order to identify common issues and assist engineers in developing solutions. They must be dedicated to becoming experts in a company’s product line in order to detect anomalies and make necessary adjustments.
Quality inspectors are frequently long-serving employees who are recognized management as the company’s eyes and ears during the manufacturing process. Other quality inspectors must have advanced degrees in systems engineering, chemistry, statistics, or technology management, among other things. The job requirements are usually determined the complexity of the product line and the quality assurance methods used.