Freelance First Article Inspector Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Build Quality Into Every Flight, Become a First Article Inspector in Aerospace 

Location: Tucson, AZ | Payrate: $25/hour | Schedule: 1st shift, 7am to 3:30pm 

PDS Tech Commercial is partnering with a leader in the aerospace industry to hire an experienced First Article Inspector who understands that precision isn’t optional—it’s mission-critical. 

As a First Article Inspector, you’ll play a vital role on the Operations Quality team, independently verifying that complex aerospace assemblies meet engineering requirements, customer specifications, and rigorous industry standards. Your expertise will help ensure manufacturing processes consistently deliver defect-free, compliant products ready for the demands of aerospace. 

What You’ll Do 

You’ll be at the center of First Article Inspection activities, working across quality, engineering, production, suppliers, and customers to ensure every requirement is documented and met. 

Your responsibilities will include: 

• Generate, create, and assemble complete First Article Inspection Reports (FAIRs), including AS9102 Forms 1, 2, and 3, for new product introductions, engineering changes, and customer requirements. 

• Inspect in-process and finished complex aerospace assemblies for compliance with engineering drawings, IPC workmanship standards, and customer specifications. 

• Perform and drive Partial/Delta FAIs resulting from design, tooling, or process modifications. 

• Lead full assembly FAIs across high-reliability electronic and mechanical product lines. 

• Interpret complex engineering blueprints, schematics, and technical specifications. 

• Collaborate with Quality Engineering and Production Management to identify and resolve compliance issues. 

• Coordinate and validate supplier certifications, Certificates of Conformance (CoCs), raw material test reports, CMM inspection data, and other documentation required for FAIR approval. 

• Prepare and submit inspection packages through customer quality portals and digital FAI systems such as NetInspect. 

• Serve as a key point of contact for customer FAIR submissions, managing feedback, corrections, revisions, and final sign-offs. 

• Compile, organize, and maintain detailed technical data packages, certificates, and quality records. 

• Manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced aerospace manufacturing environment. 

• Work overtime when necessary to support production schedules and customer commitments. 

What You Bring 

Required Qualifications 

• 4–6 years of relevant experience in quality inspection, first article inspection, aerospace manufacturing, or a related field. 

• In-depth knowledge of AS9100 and AS9102 standards and First Article Inspection methodologies. 

• Strong ability to interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, schematics, and technical specifications. 

• Experience compiling, organizing, and maintaining complex quality documentation and technical data packages. 

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate across quality, engineering, production, supplier, and customer teams. 

• Excellent organization and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple FAIs and competing priorities. 

• Ability to work effectively in a dynamic, high-velocity manufacturing environment. 

• Additional coursework after high school or an equivalent combination of education and experience. 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Hands-on experience with NetInspect or equivalent digital FAI software. 

• Proficiency with precision metrology tools and mechanical measurement techniques. 

• Experience verifying CMM inspection reports. 

• Experience preparing and submitting inspection packages through customer quality portals. 

• Experience supporting customer FAIR reviews, corrections, and approvals. 

• Aerospace or other highly regulated manufacturing experience. 

• Familiarity with IPC workmanship standards and high-reliability electronic and mechanical assemblies. 

Ready to Make Precision Your Profession? 

If you’re a quality professional who takes pride in getting the details right—and you’re ready to put your expertise to work in aerospace—we want to hear from you. 

Apply today with PDS Tech Commercial and take the next step toward a career where your work helps ensure every product meets the standards of excellence aerospace demands. 

This position requires use of information or access to facilities subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or Export Administration Regulations (EAR). These regulations may limit access of controlled technologies: 1) to U.S. Persons, including U.S. Citizens, lawful permanent residents, and other narrow categories including refugees and asylees, or 2) to certain foreign nationals that have received an export license.      

Pay Details: $25.00 per hour
Benefit offerings available for our associates include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, additional voluntary benefits, EAP program, commuter benefits and a 401K plan. Our benefit offerings provide employees the flexibility to choose the type of coverage that meets their individual needs. In addition, our associates may be eligible for paid leave including Paid Sick Leave or any other paid leave required by Federal, State, or local law, as well as Holiday pay where applicable.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled
Military connected talent encouraged to apply
To read our Candidate Privacy Information Statement, which explains how we will use your information, please navigate to https://www.pdstech.com/candidate-privacy
The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable:

• The California Fair Chance Act
• Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance
• Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers
• San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Massachusetts Candidates Only: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.