Junior Quality Inspector in Guildford

Job title – Junior Quality Inspector

About Cosmic Equipment UK:

Cosmic Equipment UK are a growing company in an exciting high technology area at the forefront of new developments powering the green revolution.

Cosmic Equipment UK are a dedicated, engineering-based organisation with the skills to meet the demanding needs of our expanding customer base of global device manufacturers around the world. At our base in the UK, we focus on developing solutions for testing challenging new technologies such as GaN and SiC as well as for the latest generation of mosfets, IGBT’s, diodes, SCR’s and bipolars.

We have a track record of investing in our people and work hard to ensure that all our staff are well informed, well trained and well-motivated to be completely responsive to our customer needs.

Product development is core to our existence, and we have introduced a significant new product nearly every year since our origins in the early 80's; our Mostrak test system has been through constant cycles of renewal, whilst always retaining compatibility. We operate seamlessly between our Engineering, Manufacture and Test, Customer Support and Technical Sales groups. Our success also lies in investing in and working closely with our external manufacturing base to ensure we are as responsive and nimble as possible whilst drawing on the experience and production efficiency of our family of dedicated CEM partners and OEM manufacturers. Above all, Cosmic Equipment UK is responsive.

About the role:

Reporting to the Production Engineer, the Junior Quality Inspector will support day-to-day quality assurance and inspection activities across Cosmic Equipment UK. The role is responsible for carrying out incoming inspection activities, supporting quality investigations, maintaining quality records and assisting in the continual improvement of the Quality Management System.

The role works closely with Manufacturing, Engineering, Test, Support and external suppliers to ensure products, components, materials and processes meet defined quality standards, specifications and customer requirements.

The role provides an excellent opportunity to develop practical quality inspection, quality assurance and quality engineering capability within a high-technology manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Carry out Goods In inspection of incoming materials, components and products against engineering drawings, specifications, purchase orders and acceptance criteria
• Record inspection results accurately and identify, contain and escalate non-conforming materials where required
• Support goods inward activities, inventory management, kitting and order packing where necessary
• Monitor product quality, defect rates, scrap levels and inspection performance, highlighting trends and emerging quality concerns
• Coordinate the segregation, quarantine and administration of non-conforming materials and products
• Support containment activities relating to suspect or defective materials and components
• Assist with Non-Conforming Material management activities and participate in Material Review Board processes where required
• Support root cause investigations using structured problem-solving methodologies
• Assist with corrective and preventive action activities, including action tracking and effectiveness verification
• Support customer quality investigations and complaint resolution activities by gathering data, maintaining records and assisting with investigation activities
• Support supplier quality investigations and supplier corrective action activities by collecting inspection evidence and maintaining quality records
• Conduct routine process compliance checks to verify adherence to documented procedures, work instructions and quality requirements
• Support internal quality audits by preparing records, gathering evidence, recording findings and tracking corrective actions
• Assist with external audit preparation and ensure quality records remain audit ready
• Maintain accurate, organised and traceable quality documentation, records and inspection reports
• Support the administration and maintenance of the ISO 9001 Quality Management System
• Review and update quality documentation, procedures, forms and work instructions as directed
• Assist with updating calibration records for inspection, measurement and test equipment and assist in ensuring calibration activities remain current
• Assist in producing quality KPIs, quality reports and trend analysis to support management reviews and continuous improvement initiatives
• Support continuous improvement projects designed to improve product quality, process capability and operational performance
• Undertake other reasonable duties associated with quality assurance and inspection activities

Core Competencies:

Technical

• Ability to complete Goods In inspection checks, record inspection outcomes accurately and identify defects or non-conforming incoming materials
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications and acceptance criteria
• Understanding of quality records, document control, audit preparation and corrective action processes
• Knowledge of non-conformance management, containment activity and material review processes
• Understanding of calibration control and measurement system management
• Ability to use inspection equipment, including callipers, micrometres, gauges and measuring devices where applicable
• Working knowledge of ISO 9001 and quality management system requirements
• Ability to analyse quality data, identify trends and support practical improvement activity
• Familiarity with Microsoft Excel for quality reporting and trend analysis
• Awareness of quality tools such as 8D, 5 Why analysis, Cause and Effect, FMEA, Control Plans, MSA or Gauge R&R

Personal

• Excellent attention to detail and a right-first-time approach
• Structured and organised approach to managing records, priorities and follow-up actions
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Analytical and problem-solving mindset
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build positive cross-functional working relationships
• Confident working collaboratively in an engineering-led manufacturing environment
• Willingness to learn and develop within quality inspection, quality assurance and quality engineering

Experience:

Essential

• Experience within a manufacturing, engineering, inspection or quality environment
• Experience carrying out inspection, testing, quality checking or quality verification activities
• Experience maintaining quality records, inspection reports or quality documentation
• Strong attention to detail and ability to work accurately with documented requirements
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office and ability to maintain accurate records and reports

Preferred

• Previous experience in electronics, semiconductor, high-technology manufacturing or engineering environment
• Experience supporting internal or external audits
• Experience with non-conformance management, containment activity or corrective action processes
• Familiarity with structured quality tools, including 8D, 5 Why, FMEA, APQP, MSA, Gauge R&R or Process Control Plans
• ISO 9001 awareness or internal auditor training
• HNC, HND or equivalent qualification in Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality or a related technical discipline
• Experience using quality, compliance or QEHS systems, such as Mango, or reporting tools such as Excel or Power BI
• Lean manufacturing, continuous improvement or root cause analysis training

What’s in it for you:

• This is a full-time position with competitive salary and excellent benefits.
• Comprehensive private medical cover including optical and dental support, giving you complete peace of mind.
• 26 days of annual leave plus all UK bank holidays.
• Convenient onsite parking for all employees, making your commute simple and stress-free.
• Regular social events, team activities, and company gatherings that help build a supportive, friendly workplace culture.
• A competitive pension scheme to support your long-term financial wellbeing.