Job Title: Quality Inspector
Location: Chichester
Reports To: Business Manager
Department: Piran Performance
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Arrangement: Fully site-based
Main Purpose of the Job
The Quality Inspector – Composites is responsible for assuring the conformity of composite tooling, components and assemblies through goods-in, in-process, first-off and final inspection. Working within our new composites department, the role will verify materials, manufacturing records, cure data, dimensions, visual finish and final assembly against engineering drawings, laminate manuals, approved work instructions and customer requirements. The position supports high-performance motorsport, aerospace and defence programmes where traceability and right-first-time quality are essential.
Main Task of the Job
- Inspect incoming composite materials, adhesives, cores, inserts, patterns, moulds, jigs and fixtures against purchase, certification and drawing requirements.
- Assisting production in reviewing packages of work to ensure customer requirements can be met and highlighting any shortfalls we may encounter.
- Visually inspect cured tooling and components for surface defects or indications such as wrinkles, bridging, resin-rich or resin-starved areas, porosity, contamination, print-through, delamination, damage and unacceptable finish.
- Carry out dimensional inspection of patterns, moulds, jigs, fixtures and components using manual metrology equipment and, where appropriate, Faro Arm and PolyWorks software.
- Inspect trimming, drilling, bonding and assembly operations, including edge condition, hole position, inserts, bond lines, adhesive traceability and final fit.
- Complete final inspection and produce clear, accurate and traceable inspection reports, first article inspection records and release documentation.
- Manage and control the quarantine of non-conforming items on the shop floor, ensuring affected product is clearly identified, segregated, recorded and prevented from unintended use or release; raise NCRs and support concession or deviation requests in line with company and customer procedures.
- Support root-cause investigations and corrective actions, providing clear evidence and practical feedback to Production.
- Ensure inspection equipment remains suitable, protected and within calibration, and that equipment records are kept current.
- Maintain complete quality records within the company’s quality and production systems, supporting product status, configuration control and full traceability.
- Support process audits, internal and customer audits, continuous improvement activity and the development of inspection standards for the composites department.
- Essential Experience and Skills
- Proven quality inspection or quality assurance experience within composites.
- Strong practical understanding of pre-preg composite manufacture, including lay-up, vacuum bagging, autoclave or oven curing, trimming, bonding and assembly.
- Ability to recognise common composite defects and assess visible condition against defined acceptance criteria.
- Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, laminate manuals, technical specifications, datum structures, tolerances and GD&T.
- Competence using manual inspection equipment, including verniers, micrometres, height gauges, pin gauges and surface plates.
- Good understanding of material traceability, controlled manufacturing records, cure-cycle data and document revision control.
- Experience producing inspection reports and supporting NCR, concession, root-cause and corrective-action processes.
- Excellent attention to detail, organisation and written communication, with the confidence to place work on hold when conformity cannot be demonstrated.
Desirable Experience and Skills
- Experience in motorsport, Formula 1, aerospace, defence or another low-volume, high-performance manufacturing environment.
- Experience with Faro Arm and PolyWorks, or comparable portable CMM and 3D metrology equipment.
- Working knowledge of ISO 9001, AS9100 and first article inspection requirements.
- Experience inspecting visual-quality composite components, complex tooling and bonded assemblies.
Personal Attributes
- A practical, methodical and impartial approach to quality, with a strong right-first-time mindset.
- Able to communicate clearly and constructively with laminators, trimmers, engineers, managers and customers.
- Comfortable working to demanding programme timescales without compromising quality or traceability.
- This is not an exhaustive list of duties, and the postholder may be required to undertake other reasonable tasks in support of the business’s objectives.
Job description approved by: Manthan Patel (Managing Director) Date: 17/07/2026
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
