Junior Quality Technician – Aerospace & Defense

Thunderstrike Aviation is expanding its Quality organization and seeking a Junior Quality Technician to support inspection and quality activities across all stages of our unmanned aerial system (UAS) lifecycle. This includes a wide range of inspected items such as parts, materials, assemblies, systems, configurations, test articles, and flight articles.

We welcome candidates early in their careers who are motivated to develop within aerospace quality and inspection. Training and mentoring will be provided for the right candidate with a strong technical mindset and attention to detail.

You will join a fast-growing aerospace company working with advanced unmanned systems and cutting-edgetechnology. This role offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience within aerospace quality, testing, manufacturing, and flight operations while working closely with experienced engineers and specialists. If you are motivated to learn, enjoy working with technology, and want to grow your career in a high-tech environment, we would like to hear from you.

This is a hands‑on role and you will actively perform inspections, document results, raise nonconformances, and support investigation and resolution activities in close cooperation with Quality Engineering, Production, Engineering, and Test teams. The role requires adaptability, technical discipline, and comfort operating in an environment where designs, processes, and inspection needs evolve as the product matures.

Role Overview

The Junior Quality Technician participates in executing inspection and verification activities to confirm conformity, configuration accuracy, and readiness of inspected items for manufacturing, testing, operation, or flight. Inspections support activities ranging from early R&D and prototype development through pilot builds, from early prototypes to production-ready systems.

As part of a startup organization, the scope of inspections spans multiple item types and lifecycle phases, requiring a broad inspection skillset, strong documentation discipline, and the ability to support changing priorities and responsibilities over time.

What You’ll Do

🔹 Inspection & Verification Activities

• Perform incoming, in‑process, and final inspections across a wide range of items, materials, and configurations in accordance with defined inspection criteria.
• Execute inspections supporting different lifecycle stages, from experimental and development items to production‑ready deliverables.
• Perform visual, dimensional, and functional inspections using calibrated inspection and measurement tools.
• Verify conformity, workmanship, completeness, and configuration against controlled documentation such as drawings, specifications, models, procedures, and revisions.
• Maintain, handle, and use inspection tools, gauges, and measurement equipment in accordance with defined practices and status requirements.

🔹 Flight Line & Test Support

• Perform pre‑test and pre‑flight inspections to verify configuration, documentation, safety‑critical items, and release status.
• Conduct post‑test and post‑flight inspections to identify damage, wear, anomalies, or deviations.
• Support ground, environmental, functional, endurance, and flight test activities by verifying inspected items and documenting results.
• Help verify and document the condition and setup of test and flight systems during testing activities.

🔹 Documentation & Traceability

• Complete inspection records, checklists, and conformity documentation with a high level of accuracy and traceability.
• Review and verify certificates, material records, supplier documentation, and associated traceability data.
• Record inspection outcomes, release decisions, and nonconformances within PLM/MRP/ERP systems.
• Support structured inspection and documentation activities for new parts and assemblies

🔹 Nonconformance Management

• Identify, document, and raise nonconformances (NCRs) with clear evidence and references.
• Support containment, segregation, and identification of nonconforming items.
• Provide inspection data, observations, and factual input to Quality Engineering during investigation, root cause, and corrective action activities.
• Support investigation and resolution of quality issues through accurate inspection findings and condition assessments.

🔹 Process & Quality Support

• Provide feedback on inspection findings, recurring issues, and observed trends to Quality Engineering and Production.
• Support development and refinement of inspection checklists, visual standards, and quality gates.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives to improve inspection effectiveness, tool usage, and overall quality performance.
• Support quality processes and continuous improvement activities across the organization

What We’re Looking For

✔ Technical education and early experience within quality inspection, production, manufacturing, electronics, mechanics, aviation, or a related technical field.

✔ Interest in quality assurance, inspection activities, and working in a structured technical environment.

✔ Basic understanding of technical drawings. Familiarity with GD&T is considered an advantage, but not required

✔ Basic experience or familiarity with measurement tools such as calipers, gauges, or other inspection equipment is an advantage.

✔ Strong attention to detail and willingness to learn inspection methods, documentation practices, and aerospace quality standards.

✔ Comfortable working hands-on with hardware, components, and test equipment in a fast-paced engineering environment.

✔ Structured and disciplined approach to documentation and traceability.

✔ Good communication skills and ability to collaborate with engineering, production, and test teams.

✔ Experience with ERP, PLM, or digital documentation systems is an advantage, but training will be provided.

✔ Motivated to grow within quality inspection and aerospace manufacturing.

Key Skills

· Interest in quality inspection and technical verification

· Basic understanding of technical drawings and documentation

· Hands-on mindset and willingness to learn

· Attention to detail and structured documentation

· Visual and dimensional inspection support

· Collaboration across engineering and production teams

· Ability to follow procedures and work instructions

· Adaptability in a growing startup environment

· Basic IT/system understanding

· Strong learning attitude and technical curiosity

Apply here: Junior Quality Technician – Aerospace & Defense | Thunderstrike Aviation | LinkedIn