Trainee/ Graduate Quality Inspector

Job Title:                           Trainee Quality Inspector
Location:                           Hailsham, East Sussex
Salary:                               £competitive
Working pattern:               Onsite; client-site travel may occasionally be required

TPA Recruit is supporting a specialist precision engineering and manufacturing business in the search for a Trainee Quality Inspector.

This is a development role for someone with a mechanical or manufacturing engineering background who wants to build a career in quality inspection. You will be trained to inspect precision components against drawings and specifications, use advanced metrology equipment and support non-conformance reporting within a CNC machining environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Inspect precision components against engineering drawings, specifications and defined tolerances, including first-off components from CNC machining.
• Build practical capability with handheld metrology equipment, CMM systems and Faro Arm inspection equipment through structured training.
• Maintain accurate inspection records and complete non-conformance documentation, communicating issues clearly to relevant team leaders.
• Support quality activity across manufacturing, including product identification, process control and planned visits to client sites when required.

Experience Required

• ONC/HNC in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering or a relevant quality qualification; a Mechanical Engineering degree is desirable.
• Ability to read technical drawings to an intermediate level, with some understanding of geometric tolerancing and tight-tolerance components.
• Some experience using handheld inspection equipment such as micrometers, verniers and GO/NO-GO gauges; CMM or Faro Arm exposure is advantageous.
• Exposure to CNC machining or a similar manufacturing engineering environment, with strong attention to detail, communication skills and confidence using Microsoft Office/ERP systems.

Why Join This Business?

• Structured training in precision inspection, engineering drawings and modern quality practices.
• Hands-on development with CMM, Faro Arm and a broad range of metrology equipment.
• Clear opportunity to build specialist quality skills within a precision manufacturing environment.
• Varied exposure to CNC machining, non-conformance activity and customer-site work.
• A role designed for someone who wants to learn, progress and take on increasing responsibility.

TPA Recruit is a specialist recruitment agency acting on behalf of our client to source and assess suitable candidates for this position. All applications will be reviewed and processed by our team, who will liaise directly with shortlisted individuals throughout the hiring process