$50,900 – $84,900MidFull Time
Northrop Grumman Mission Systems is seeking an Inspector 3 located in Buffalo, NY.
The Quality Inspection Technician is responsible for visually inspecting in‑process and completed products—including electronic units, precision electromechanical assemblies, mechanical sub‑assemblies, and structural components—against blueprints, specifications, and customer requirements. Using a variety of measuring devices and inspection tools, you will determine whether parts are acceptable, need rework, or must be rejected, and you will document findings in line with statistical process control or other quality procedures.
What you'll get to do:
Perform visual inspections of electronic units, subsystems, and mechanical assemblies for flaws such as missing welds, internal defects, and dimensional out‑of‑tolerance conditions.
Use measuring equipment (dial indicators, micrometers, calibrated gauges, scales, fixtures, CMMs, etc.) to verify critical dimensions and tolerances.
Interpret and work from engineering drawings, wiring diagrams, IPC standards, inspection checklists, and customer specifications.
Record inspection results, generate non‑conformance reports, and route rejected units for rework or scrap according to established procedures.
Conduct lot‑clearance checks after each production run to confirm removal of all material from the previous lot.
Support quality assurance by applying statistical process control (SPC) data and other control methodologies.
Maintain calibration records for all inspection tools and ensure measurement equipment is within validity periods.
Participate in continuous‑improvement activities, suggesting process or design changes to reduce defects.
Communicate findings promptly with production supervisors, engineers, and other stakeholders.
Working Conditions
Production floor environment with exposure to electronic components, solder fumes, and mechanical parts.
Required use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as safety glasses, anti‑static wrist straps, and hearing protection as needed.
May involve standing for extended periods and occasional lifting of components up to 25 lb.
The ideal candidate must be able to pay attention to detail, follow detailed work instructions and maintain accurate documentation, communicate written and verbally in a team environment, and have basic computer skills (MS Office, ERP/MRP, and quality management software).
Basic Qualifications for the Inspector 3:
High school diploma or equivalent with a minimum 4 years of hands‑on inspection experience with electronic or electromechanical assemblies.
Experience with visual inspection techniques and precision measuring instruments.
Experience reading and interpreting engineering drawings, schematics, and/or IPC standards..
Preferred Qualifications:
Certified J‑STD‑001 (Soldering Materials, Processes, and Flow‑Sheet Requirements).
Certified IPC‑A‑610 (Acceptability of Electronic Assemblies) and IPC‑A‑620 (Cable & Wire Harness Assemblies).
Prior experience with hand‑soldering, reflow, wave, or selective soldering processes.
Experience with statistical process control (SPC) tools and Six Sigma concepts.
SAP experience.
Visual acuity and meticulous observation experience.
Experience with micrometers, calipers, dial indicators, gauges, and inspection fixtures.
Experience with electronic component identification and solder joint assessment.
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Primary Level Salary Range: $50,900.00 - $84,900.00The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.
