Quality Inspector
Location: Hailsham, East Sussex (BN27 4EL)
Salary: Competitive, depending on experience + excellent benefits
Contract: Full Time, Permanent
Hours: Monday to Friday, 37 hours per week
Benefits Include: 25 days’ holiday + bank holidays, Private medical insurance, Salary sacrifice pension scheme, Life insurance, Electric Vehicle Scheme, Cycle to Work Scheme, Ongoing training and career development and a modern, state-of-the-art manufacturing environment
Your eye for detail could help shape technology used around the world.
If you’re an experienced Quality Inspector who takes real pride in getting things right, this is an opportunity to work on precision-engineered products with some seriously impressive applications.
At VACGEN, we’ve spent more than 60 years developing ultra-high vacuum technology used in advanced science, research, semiconductor technology and space exploration.
Our products are trusted by organisations including NASA, CERN and the European Space Agency.
Now we’re looking for an experienced Quality Inspector to join our team in Hailsham and help us maintain the exceptionally high standards our customers rely on.
If precision engineering is your world and spotting something that’s not quite right comes naturally to you, we’d love to talk.
What will you be doing
You’ll be right at the heart of our manufacturing operation, inspecting and testing precision components and assemblies to make sure they’re exactly as they should be.
This isn’t about sitting behind a desk ticking boxes. You’ll be hands-on, using advanced inspection and metrology equipment, working alongside experienced engineers and helping us continuously improve the way we manufacture.
Day to day, you’ll be:
- Inspecting precision-engineered components and assemblies against drawings and specifications.
- Using metrology equipment, including Faro Arm/CMM technology, to verify dimensions and conformity.
- Testing and validating components and assemblies using specialised inspection equipment.
- Carrying out visual inspections of welded assemblies and finished products.
- Identifying and investigating non-conformances and helping determine root causes.
- Working closely with Production and Engineering to solve problems and reduce defects.
- Making sure products meet customer, company and regulatory requirements before they leave us.
- Supporting our Right First Time approach to manufacturing.
- Getting involved with continuous improvement and quality initiatives.
- Maintaining accurate inspection records, quality documentation and KPI data.
Most importantly, you’ll have the confidence to challenge something when it doesn’t meet the standard and the experience to help us understand why.
What are we looking for
You’ll already have experience in precision engineering, machining or a similar manufacturing environment and understand just how important good quality control is.
You’ll be naturally thorough, comfortable interpreting engineering drawings and confident using precision measuring equipment.
We’re looking for someone with:
- Experience working within an ISO 9001 quality environment.
- At least three years’ experience within a machine shop, precision engineering or manufacturing environment.
- Experience using CMM equipment, Faro Arms and precision metrology tools.
- The ability to confidently read engineering drawings, tolerances and technical specifications.
- A good understanding of quality tools and continuous improvement.
- Experience with problem-solving and root cause analysis methods such as 8D, FMEA, SPC, 5 Whys or Ishikawa.
- Excellent attention to detail and, above all, a genuine commitment to getting things right.
- Even better if you have:
- Knowledge of welding and fabrication inspection.
- Experience in vacuum technology or another high-precision engineering industry.
- Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, 5S, Kaizen or Value Stream Mapping.
- Experience contributing to quality improvement or process optimisation projects.
- A BTEC, HNC or HND in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering or a related discipline.
Why VACGEN
Because this isn’t everyday manufacturing.
The components you inspect could ultimately contribute to advanced scientific research, semiconductor technology or space exploration.
You’ll be joining a business with more than six decades of engineering expertise, but one that continues to invest, innovate and improve.
You'll also be part of a friendly, knowledgeable team where quality really matters. Your experience will be valued, your ideas will be listened to and you'll have opportunities to continue developing your skills and career.
And with a 37-hour, Monday-to-Friday working week, excellent benefits and a modern manufacturing facility, there’s plenty on offer outside the work itself too.
Ready to put your eye for quality to the test
If you’re an experienced Quality Inspector looking for a role where your skills genuinely matter, we want to hear from you.
Apply today and become part of the team behind precision engineering trusted by some of the world’s leading scientific and technology organisations.
No agencies please
