Quality Inspector IV – Launch Operations

Firefly Aerospace

Quality Inspector conducting inspections on launch vehicle components at Firefly Aerospace. Ensuring compliance with specifications and facilitating mission success through quality assurance processes.

Posted 6/20/2026full-timeVandenberg Space Force Base • California • 🇺🇸 United StatesSeniorLead💰 $48 - $58 per hourWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Perform inspections on launch vehicle components and sub-assemblies (mechanical, electrical, electro-mechanical, pneumatic, and hydraulic)
Develop and execute detailed inspection programs which assure adherence to design, specification, and testing requirements
Document non-conformances in accordance with prescribed procedures and process as required
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to investigate and resolve non-conformance or quality issues
quarantine and process non-conforming product
Maintain tool control and calibration processes within assigned work center
Participate in technical operations and offer guidance and/or serve as an additional technical resource
Initiate and execute plans to improve product quality and inspection efficiency
Apply 5S workplace organization & follow the Lean initiatives
Support manufacturing compliance to customer and internal specifications to meet contractual and mission requirements
Its possible that this job will require you to work in confined/restricted spaces. Frequent travel to Briggs, TX for training and integration/test familiarization.
Maintain schedule flexibility to support launch operations, including coverage across first and second shifts as mission needs require
Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

What you’ll need

High school diploma or equivalency certificate
10+ years of hands-on experience in aerospace, defense, or advanced manufacturing quality inspection
demonstrated lead experience providing technical direction
mentoring inspectors, and serving as a subject matter expert in GD&T
dimensional inspection, and non-conformance resolution in a mission-critical environment
demonstrated ability to read technical information, follow technical instructions, and understand technical drawings
specifications, IPC standards, GD&T, and related quality control documentation and standards
experience with standards and/or equivalent quality, military, or government standards in the aerospace industry
Strong interpersonal skills including the ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and written
Flexibility regarding workflow and process
Excellent organization skills
Willingness to work with a team, share expertise, and follow instructions to accomplish established goals
Ability to obtain a secret security clearance and ATF explosive handling license.
Associate degree or higher in quality, engineering, or related technical discipline.
IPC Certification (IPC J-STD-001, IPC-A-600, IPC-A-610, IPC-A-620, IPC-7711/21)
familiarity with NASA-STD-8739.4.
demonstrated experience applying quality assurance principles, methods, and processes - including inspection techniques, equipment, and tools used in quality control.
demonstrated competency in structures/composites, electrical/avionics, and fluids/propulsion disciplines.
Full capability to read and understand blueprints, drawings GD&T, and Model-Based Definitions.
comprehensive understanding of aerospace manufacturing processes, materials, and specifications.
demonstrated experience with application of aerospace quality standards, such as AS9100 or ISO 9001.
A&P License
Six-Sigma Green Belt certification or higher
ASQ certification for Certified Quality Inspector (CQI)

Benefits

Comp & perks

generous health, dental and vision plans with low plan deductibles
parental leave
educational reimbursement
short term disability
pet Insurance
flexible PTO options

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

quality inspectiondimensional inspectionnon-conformance resolutionGD&Tinspection techniquesquality assurance principlesblueprint readingModel-Based Definitionsaerospace manufacturing processescalibration processes

Soft Skills

interpersonal skillscommunication skillsorganization skillsteam collaborationflexibilitytechnical directionmentoringproblem-solvingattention to detailadaptability

Certifications

IPC J-STD-001IPC-A-600IPC-A-610IPC-A-620IPC-7711/21A&P LicenseSix-Sigma Green BeltCertified Quality Inspector (CQI)