Senior Quality Inspector

About the role

The Senior Quality Inspector serves as the technical lead for manufacturing quality inspection activities within Premier PV's Dallas manufacturing operations. This is a hands-on, production-floor position responsible for performing dimensional, visual, and electrical inspections of incoming materials, in-process assemblies, and finished products. The Senior Quality Inspector interprets prints, manufacturing drawings, diagrams, wire cards, and inspection criteria; trains and provides technical guidance to new hires and other Quality Inspectors; and documents inspection activity in Smartsheet and other applicable systems. This is a non-exempt individual contributor role and does not carry formal supervisory responsibility.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical lead for manufacturing quality inspection activities and help coordinate daily inspection priorities, workload, and coverage.
• Work directly on the production floor to perform incoming, in-process, and final inspections using approved drawings, specifications, work instructions, control plans, checklists, and acceptance criteria.
• Conduct visual, dimensional, and electrical inspections of materials, components, subassemblies, and finished products using appropriate measurement and test equipment.
• Interpret engineering prints, manufacturing drawings, diagrams, wire cards, bills of material, tolerances, and quality requirements to determine product conformance.
• Provide hands-on training, technical guidance, and mentoring to newly hired and less-experienced Quality Inspectors.
• Promote consistent inspection methods, documentation practices, and adherence to established quality requirements.
• Enter and maintain accurate inspection results, quality records, production-floor findings, and other required information in Smartsheet and applicable systems.
• Identify, document, segregate, and communicate nonconforming materials or products to the appropriate team members.
• Support initial review and basic analysis of quality issues, including gathering relevant inspection information and assisting with containment or corrective actions when needed.
• Support calibration schedules, equipment identification and traceability, and the proper handling of measuring or test equipment found to be out of calibration.
• Collaborate with Production, Engineering, Supply Chain, and other departments to communicate and resolve manufacturing quality concerns.
• Assist with identifying recurring defects or inspection trends and recommend practical improvements when appropriate.
• Provide support during internal or external audits when needed.
• Promote a safe, organized, and quality-focused work environment and perform other duties as assigned to support production needs.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; technical school coursework or a related certification preferred.
• 5+ years of hands-on manufacturing quality inspection or closely related experience preferred. Candidates with three to four years of strong, directly related experience may also be considered.
• Demonstrated experience performing inspections directly within an active manufacturing or production-floor environment.
• Experience training, mentoring, or providing technical guidance to new or less-experienced employees.
• Demonstrated proficiency with inspection and measurement tools such as calipers, micrometers, gauges, multimeters, and other equipment applicable to the work.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, tolerances, diagrams, wire cards, work instructions, and inspection plans.
• Working knowledge of incoming, in-process, and final inspection methods, nonconformance controls, calibration requirements, and equipment traceability.
• Basic knowledge of quality issue analysis, root-cause concepts, corrective actions, and manufacturing quality systems.
• Ability to accurately enter, maintain, and communicate inspection information using Smartsheet and other standard computer or quality systems.
• Ability to provide technical direction and mentorship, prioritize work, communicate expectations, and collaborate effectively across departments.
• Strong problem-solving, documentation, organization, and attention-to-detail skills.
• Ability to work with limited supervision while escalating safety, quality, or production risks appropriately.
• Experience supporting quality audits and analyzing defect or inspection trends is preferred but not required.
• Prior training in general safety, electrostatic discharge awareness, foreign object damage awareness, and quality system awareness preferred.

Benefits and pay

• Competitive hourly compensation based on qualifications, experience, work location, and other job-related factors.
• Generous benefits including paid holidays, PTO, sick leave as required by applicable state regulations, medical, dental, and vision insurance, FSA/HSA options, disability coverages, and a 401(k) plan with matching contributions.

Work environment and physical requirements

• This position works primarily on the production floor in a manufacturing environment and may be exposed to moving mechanical equipment, electrical components, noise, dust, fumes, varying temperatures, and other conditions typical of an active production facility.
• Required personal protective equipment must be worn, and all safety rules and procedures must be followed.
• Must comply with safety requirements, which may include being clean-shaven when required for respirator use, wearing long sleeves, and wearing steel-toe or other required protective footwear.
• Must be able to stand and walk for extended periods and frequently use hands and arms to handle, inspect, position, or test materials and components.
• Must be able to bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, climb, and maintain balance on ladders, scaffolding, and stairways, as the work requires.
• Must be able to work at heights or in confined spaces, including towers, vessels, or excavations, when assigned and properly trained.
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds; assistance must be used for heavier loads.
• Must be able to visually inspect product details and distinguish conditions necessary to determine conformance, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Must be able to pass a drug screen and background check.