Colchester, Essex | Manufacturing / Defence | BPSS Clearance Required
About The Role
Woods Air Movement, part of FläktGroup, is recruiting an experienced Production Quality Inspector to support the delivery of strategic defence contracts at our Colchester site. Reporting to the Defence Lead Quality Engineer, this role sits within a dedicated quality team that forms a core pillar of our defence business. You will play a key role in ensuring products meet stringent internal, customer, and regulatory requirements, supporting both in‑house manufacturing and assembled product quality. This is a hands‑on position, requiring strong inspection capability, experience working to FAIR / AS9100 / EN9102 standards, and the confidence to provide real‑time, line‑side quality support in a highly regulated environment.
About Woods Air Movement
Woods Air Movement specialises in the design, testing, certification and manufacture of axial fans for industrial and life‑critical applications. We offer one of the largest certified axial fan ranges in the world, delivering highly customisable solutions for customers globally.
Key Responsibilities
* Produce, review and validate First Article Inspection Reports (FAIR) in line with AS9100 / EN9102 and ISO 9001 standards
* Critically analyse supplier FAIRs and dimensional reports against Critical to Quality (CTQ) requirements
* Carry out dimensional and visual inspections using controlled inspection templates
* Validate inspection processes using Gauge R&R and MSA techniques
* Conduct goods inwards inspection of raw and machined components against drawings, POs and specifications
* Review and digitally archive Certificates of Conformity and 3.1 material certifications
* Identify, quarantine and report non‑conforming material using the NCR process
* Provide production line‑side quality support, including first‑off inspections and in‑process audits
* Verify tooling and equipment calibration and report deviations
* Act as first point of contact for assembly teams on quality issues
* Support root cause analysis and corrective action activity
* Promote a continuous improvement and zero‑defect culture
What we’re looking for
Essential
* Minimum 5 years’ experience in a quality inspection role within manufacturing or defence
* Strong experience with precision measurement equipment (micrometres, verniers, thread gauges)
* Experience using advanced inspection equipment such as CMM and 3D scanning
* Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, including GD&T
* Experience working to AS9100 / EN9102 FAIR processes
* Knowledge of ISO 9001 quality management systems
* Confident communicator with a proactive, problem‑solving mindset
Desirable
* HNC / Degree in an Engineering discipline, QA qualification, or equivalent experience
* PC‑DMIS software experience (programming desirable)
* CSWIP 3.0 / AMPP / FROSIO Level 2 certification
Security Requirement
* You must be able to pass Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance.
What we offer
* Competitive salary
* 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
* Hybrid working
* Christmas shutdown
* 4% pension scheme
* Life assurance
* Company sick pay
* Enhanced family‑friendly benefits
* Holiday purchase scheme
* Employee discount scheme
* Cycle to Work scheme
* Early finish on Fridays
* Free tea & coffee
* Free on‑site parking
* Employee Assistance Programme & mental health support
* Sports & social club
* Learning and development opportunities
* Long service awards
Equality, diversity & right to work
Woods Air Movement is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities and recruit based on suitability, experience and qualifications. Please note: visa sponsorship is not available for this role. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. No recruitment agencies please.
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