Quality Inspector - Composite Manufacturing


Company:	Unipart Group
Salary:	Up to £30,000, dependant on experience
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Portsmouth, PO6 3TE
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	17 Jul 2026
Closing date:	14 Oct 2026

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Summary

Job Advert

Quality Inspector – Composite Manufacturing, Cosham, Portsmouth.

Up to £30,000 per annum DOE, plus 33 days holiday (including bank holidays), paid lunch break, pension, life assurance, employee assistance programme, wellbeing support, and flexible benefits including cycle to work scheme

Please note that the working pattern is 8am-4pm Monday to Friday.

About the Role

The Composite Inspector is responsible for verifying the structural integrity, dimensional accuracy, and surface quality of composite components at various stages of the manufacturing process. From raw material ply-layup and autoclave curing to final assembly, you will ensure all parts meet strict automotive engineering specifications, regulatory standards, and cosmetic requirements.

As part of your key responsibilities, you’ll:

- Conduct detailed visual, tactile, and dimensional inspections of composite laminates, cores, bonded assemblies, and finished components.

- Use precision hand tools (micrometers, calipers, depth gauges) or portable metrology equipment to verify part dimensions against 2D drawings and 3D CAD models.

- Identify, document, and segregate non-conforming materials. Log defects in the Quality Management System (QMS) and participate in Material Review Board (MRB) actions to determine rework or scrap status.

- Review and sign off on manufacturing travelers, ply-book logs, and cure charts (autoclave/oven data) to ensure complete process traceability.

About You

We’d love you to have the following skills and experience, but please apply if you think you’d be able to perform well in this role!

- Quality inspection experience in a composite manufacturing environment (Motorsport/F1, Aerospace, or Automotive).

- Strong understanding of carbon fibre/epoxy behaviours and a sharp eye for both structural and cosmetic defects.

- Ability to read engineering drawings, Ply Layup Books, and GD&T symbols.

- Proficient with standard mechanical inspection equipment and portable metrology systems (e.g., FARO/Romer arms or laser scanners).

- Familiarity working under ISO 9001, AS9100, or IATF 16949 management systems.

- A methodical approach to safety-critical tolerances, with the communication skills to work with laminators and engineers to resolve defects.

About Unipart

We are a supply chain performance improvement partner. We Design, Make, Move, and Improve components in our customers’ supply chains, keeping their operations and assets moving and working better, for longer. Through our commitment to continuously driving operational efficiencies, we improve performance - saving time, cost, and carbon. Our ambition is to be the driving force behind efficient, resilient, and sustainable supply chains.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

We believe that a great workplace is one where you can bring your whole self to work. Our recruitment process is designed to be accessible, inclusive, and based entirely on merit. We define merit through a combination of technical skills and the core behaviours that help our people thrive at Unipart. We welcome applications from everyone, regardless of background or circumstances. We are committed to a policy of equal opportunity that exceeds our statutory obligations under the Equality Act 2010 and subsequent legislation. Whether it’s your age, disability, neurodiversity, gender identity, family status, or any other characteristic that makes you ‘you’ - it is your talent and potential that we value most. Adjustments for you: We want you to perform at your best. If you require any reasonable adjustments or have specific accessibility needs at any stage of the application or interview process, please let us know. We are here to support you.

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