Senior QA & Source Inspector
Listing checked September 29, 2026 · pay as published by Micro1
Overview
micro1 seeks experienced QA and source inspection professionals to support a customer project that spans aerospace, defense, and marine sectors. Your domain knowledge will directly shape how AI models learn to reason about AS9102 First Article Inspections, cosmetic defect acceptance, and Government Source Inspection under DCMA and FAR Part 46. This is a remote contractor role with no AI background required. You will evaluate inspection data, document disposition decisions, and produce high-quality reports that train next-generation systems.
What You'll Do7
- 1Review and disposition First Article Inspections (AS9102) against regulatory and customer requirements.
- 2Evaluate cosmetic defects in manufacturing and assembly settings, writing detailed justifications for each accept or reject call.
- 3Perform virtual surveys and offer input on hull and marine structures using provided documentation and data.
- 4Analyze web and line inspection data to spot quality trends and guide source inspection recommendations.
- 5Apply DCMA protocols and FAR Part 46 criteria to simulated Government Source Inspection scenarios.
- 6Deliver clear written and verbal feedback on inspection findings to support AI model development.
- 7Produce high-quality reports and datasets that capture your expert judgments and rationale.
Requirements7
- 18+ years of complex quality inspection experience, with substantial work in first article, cosmetic, or production line disposition.
- 2Deep knowledge of AS9102 First Article standards and practical application of government inspection criteria (DCMA, FAR Part 46).
- 3Background in US defense or aerospace manufacturing, or marine surveying within regulated environments.
- 4Demonstrated expertise in Hull & Marine Survey processes and standards.
- 5Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to document disposition decisions and explain technical rationale.
- 6Proficiency with digital tools for documentation, reporting, and remote collaboration.
- 7Experience as a senior QA inspector, supplier quality engineer, DCMA QAR, or marine surveyor is strongly preferred.
Who Should Apply
This role fits a seasoned QA inspector, supplier quality engineer, DCMA QAR, or marine surveyor with at least eight years of hands-on inspection work. You should be comfortable making disposition calls on first article, cosmetic, and production line issues, and you must know AS9102 and FAR Part 46 inside out. The job is less suitable for early-career inspectors or those without direct exposure to aerospace, defense, or marine regulated environments. Candidates often get rejected when they cannot show specific examples of AS9102 reviews or DCMA source inspection experience. Another common low-fit signal is weak written documentation of disposition rationale, since the role demands clear, detailed reporting.
Salary Insight
The compensation range is $60 to $100 per hour. That rate is stated upfront, so no further negotiation is needed on that point.
Pay and demand for Quality Assurance & Testing roles
AggregatedTypical pay
$65/hour
This role
$60–$100/hr
Most Quality Assurance & Testing roles pay $35–$84 per hour. This role's pay falls inside that range.
Based on 198 similar roles that publish pay · 104 publish only a top rate; those count at the rate they gave
Rates shown per hour. Yearly and monthly pay converted; one-time fees and non-USD pay are not included.
- Live similar roles
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- Listed in last 30 days
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Most requested skills · share of roles
- ai training41%
- llm evaluation40%
- trainer feedback37%
- documentation31%
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Compensation
$60–100/hr
Required Skills
Application Tip
In your application, highlight concrete examples of AS9102 First Article Inspections you have dispositioned and any DCMA or FAR Part 46 source inspection work. Quantify your experience, such as the number of first articles reviewed or the types of cosmetic defect calls you made, to show your fit for this senior-level contractor role.
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