Lead Quality Inspector

Job Summary:

The Lead Quality Inspector coordinates inspection priorities and provides hands-on technical leadership to support consistent quality, coverage, and documentation across first, second, and third shifts. The role guides inspectors, supports metrology, inspection programming, and process validation activities, responds to emerging quality risks, supports audits and customer activities, and partners with Production, Engineering, and Quality leadership to improve standard work and prevent repeat issues. This is a proposed future-state working lead role, subject to organizational approval.  Periodic 2nd / 3rd Shift, off-hours and weekend support is required from time to time. 

Pay: $31.00 - $38.00/hr

Schedule: This position is primarily assigned to first shift and requires hands-on technical leadership and support across all three shifts. Periodic work on second and third shifts, outside normal scheduled hours, and on weekends is required from time to time as determined by PTA Plastics’ operational needs, including inspection coverage, training, troubleshooting, metrology, programming, and process validation activities.

Company Overview:

PTA Plastics, an employee-owned and innovative leader in the plastic injection molding, contract manufacturing and tool-building industry, is looking for a Senior Process Engineer to join our dynamic team.

At PTA Plastics, we’re more than just a manufacturer; we partner with Fortune 500 OEMs in the medical device, defense, homeland security, and technology sectors, constantly pushing the boundaries of product development and manufacturing excellence. As an employee-owned company, every team member has a stake in our success, creating a collaborative and entrepreneurial environment where innovation thrives.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

· Coordinate and prioritize inspection assignments within approved staffing and production plans; communicate coverage needs, workload constraints, and handoffs to Quality leadership.

· Provide hands-on metrology support, including advanced dimensional inspections, interpretation of engineering drawings and GD&T, selection of appropriate measurement methods, qualified CMM and vision-system operation, and review of measurement results to investigate part and process variation.

· Monitor inspection coverage, documentation quality, recurring defects, and quality risks; coordinate timely response, containment, and escalation under approved procedures.

· Coach inspectors on approved methods and expectations, support onboarding and cross-training, maintain skills-coverage information, and provide factual development feedback to the supervisor.

· Reinforce approved inspection plans, quality procedures, traceability, calibration status checks, and standard work; identify gaps and coordinate corrective actions with responsible owners.

· Partner with Production, Process Technicians, Engineering, Quality Engineers, and metrology personnel to develop, modify, troubleshoot, and verify CMM and vision-system inspection programs within demonstrated qualifications and authorization. Maintain approved program revisions and inspection instructions, and train inspectors on proper setup and use.

· Support Engineering and Quality in process validation activities, including installation qualification (IQ), operational qualification (OQ), and performance qualification (PQ), as applicable. Assist with inspection requirements, sample measurement, data collection and analysis, measurement system studies, process capability evaluation, and validation documentation under approved protocols. Coordinate assigned inspection evidence and team readiness for internal, customer, and applicable quality-system audits and customer visits.

· Lead approved improvements to inspection instructions, handoffs, and documentation; promote consistent practices across applicable shifts, programs, and sites. Provide hands-on lead support, troubleshooting, coaching, and training on second and third shifts as needed to maintain inspection coverage and consistent quality practices.

· Escalate staffing, capability, equipment, and unresolved quality concerns to Quality leadership; perform assigned inspections and other related duties as needed.

· Other duties as assigned. 

Supervisory Duties & Authority

· Reports to the Quality Manager; no direct supervisory responsibilities. Coaches and mentors Quality Inspectors.

· Coordinates daily work and provides technical coaching; this description does not confer hiring, discipline, pay, or formal performance-review authority.

· Recommends priorities and corrective actions within delegated limits.

· Final product release, concessions, customer commitments, staffing decisions, and quality-system approvals remain with designated leadership or authorized personnel.

Qualifications and Experience

· High school diploma or equivalent; relevant technical, quality, or leadership training is preferred.

· Demonstrated advanced manufacturing inspection capability comparable to Quality Inspector 3, together with effective work coordination, coaching, and cross-functional problem solving.

· Strong knowledge of dimensional and cosmetic inspection, GD&T, metrology methods, automated inspection, documentation, and escalation requirements. Demonstrated ability to develop, modify, troubleshoot, and verify CMM or vision-system inspection programs within assigned responsibilities, and working knowledge of measurement system analysis, process capability, and process validation support.

· Ability to use inspection and defect data to prioritize risk, coordinate containment and action follow-up, and support audit readiness and standardization.

· Effective communication, judgment, organization, constructive feedback, and influence across shifts and functions. Ability to maintain skills records and use spreadsheets, quality systems, and inspection software.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to stand, walk, and move around the production floor for extended periods.
• Capable of lifting and carrying heavy objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination for handling small tools, machine components, and molds.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and adapt to changing priorities.
• Comfortable wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) such as safety glasses, gloves, and ear protection.
• Occasional bending, kneeling, and reaching to access equipment and perform maintenance tasks.
• Good vision and color perception for inspecting parts and identifying any defects or abnormalities.
• Ability to work in temperature-controlled environments and withstand exposure to noise levels associated with manufacturing machinery.
• Ability to receive, comprehend and utilize required training from OSHA and Company including but not limited to the following:
• Hazard Communication
• Lock Out/Tag Out

ITAR Requirements: To conform to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3), applicants for employment at PTA Plastics must be a U.S. citizen or national, lawfully admitted for permanent residence into the U.S. (i.e., current green card holder), or lawfully admitted as a refugee or granted asylum under 8 U.S.C. § 1157-1158. 

Equal Employment Opportunity & ADA Compliance Statement:

PTA Plastics is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all individuals, including those with disabilities. As part of this commitment, PTA Plastics complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Connecticut’s Fair Employment Practices Act (CFEPA), which prohibit discrimination against individuals with disabilities in hiring, job assignments, promotions, compensation, benefits, training, and other aspects of employment.

If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process or to perform the essential functions of this position, please contact [email protected]. Reasonable accommodations will be provided in accordance with applicable laws to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job duties.

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. It is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Employees may be required to perform other duties as assigned.