Motor vehicle assembly inspector

Motor vehicle assembly inspectors use measuring and testing equipment to inspect and monitor motor vehicle assemblies to ensure conformity to engineering and manufacturing specifications, quality, and safety standards and regulations. They detect malfunction and damage and inspect repair work. They also provide detailed inspection documentation and recommend action where problems are discovered.

The following job titles also refer to motor vehicle assembly inspector:

assembly inspector
motor vehicle production inspector
motor vehicle assembly line inspector
motor vehicle quality inspector
motor vehicle quality compliance inspector
motor vehicle quality control inspector
motor vehicle compliance inspector

A high school diploma is generally required to work as a motor vehicle assembly inspector.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Motor vehicle assembly inspector is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to motor vehicle assembly inspector.

vessel assembly inspector
aircraft assembly inspector
rolling stock assembly inspector
product assembly inspector
consumer goods inspector

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of motor vehicle assembly inspector. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of motor vehicle assembly inspector with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

motor vehicle engine inspector
rolling stock engine inspector
vessel engine inspector
avionics inspector
motor vehicle engine tester

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of motor vehicle assembly inspector.

• Quality assurance procedures: The procedures to inspect a product or system to ensure that it is according to specifications and requirements.
• Engineering processes: The systematic approach to the development and maintenance of engineering systems.
• Mechanics of motor vehicles: The way energy forces interact and affect components in motor vehicles such as cars, buses, invalid carriages and other motorised vehicles.
• Quality standards: The national and international requirements, specifications and guidelines to ensure that products, services and processes are of good quality and fit for purpose.
• Mechanics: Theoretical and practical applications of the science studying the action of displacements and forces on physical bodies to the development of machinery and mechanical devices.

These skills are necessary for the role of motor vehicle assembly inspector.

• Create solutions to problems: Solve problems which arise in planning, prioritising, organising, directing/facilitating action and evaluating performance. Use systematic processes of collecting, analysing, and synthesising information to evaluate current practice and generate new understandings about practice.
• Supervise motor vehicles manufacture: Inspect plants where motor vehicles are manufactured to ensure safety and quality control. Ensure that components are manufactured in compliance with safety and design specifications.
• Inspect quality of products: Use various techniques to ensure the product quality is respecting the quality standards and specifications. Oversee defects, packaging and sendbacks of products to different production departments.
• Monitor manufacturing quality standards: Monitor quality standards in manufacturing and finishing process.
• Manage health and safety standards: Oversee all personnel and processes to comply with health, safety and hygiene standards. Communicate and support alignment of these requirements with the company’s health and safety programmes.
• Read standard blueprints: Read and comprehend standard blueprints, machine, and process drawings.
• Notify supervisor: Report problems or incidents to the supervisor in order to find solutions to problems.
• Read engineering drawings: Read the technical drawings of a product made by the engineer in order to suggest improvements, make models of the product or operate it.
• Conduct performance tests: Conduct experimental, environmental and operational tests on models, prototypes or on the systems and equipment itself in order to test their strength and capabilities under normal and extreme conditions.
• Write inspection reports: Write the results and conclusions of the inspection in a clear and intelligible way. Log the inspection’s processes such as contact, outcome, and steps taken.
• Use technical documentation: Understand and use technical documentation in the overall technical process.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of motor vehicle assembly inspector. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Automotive diagnostic equipment: The equipment used to examine automotive systems and components.
• Engineering principles: The engineering elements like functionality, replicability, and costs in relation to the design and how they are applied in the completion of engineering projects.
• Electromechanics: The engineering processes that combine electrical and mechanical engineering in the application of electromechanics in devices that need electricity to create mechanical movement or devices that create electricity by mechanical movement.
• Vehicle electrical systems: Know vehicle electrical systems, including components such as the battery, starter, and alternator. The battery provides energy to the starter. The alternator provides the battery the energy it requires to power the vehicle. Understand the interplay of these components to resolve malfunctions.
• Defense system: The various weapons and weapon systems used to protect citizens and to harm or shield incoming enemies and enemy weapons.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of motor vehicle assembly inspector. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Act as contact person during equipment incident: Act as the person to be contacted when an equipment incident occurs. Participate in the investigation by providing insights.
• Prepare audit activities: Prepare an audit plan including both pre-audits and certification audits. Communicate with the different processes in order to implement the improvement actions that lead to certification.
• Execute analytical mathematical calculations: Apply mathematical methods and make use of calculation technologies in order to perform analyses and devise solutions to specific problems.
• Record test data: Record data which has been identified specifically during preceding tests in order to verify that outputs of the test produce specific results or to review the reaction of the subject under exceptional or unusual input.
• Apply statistical analysis techniques: Use models (descriptive or inferential statistics) and techniques (data mining or machine learning) for statistical analysis and ICT tools to analyse data, uncover correlations and forecast trends.
• Issue licences: Issue official documentation which grants licence holders with official permission to perform certain activities, after having investigated the application and processed the necessary documentation.
• Operate precision measuring equipment: Measure the size of a processed part when checking and marking it to check if it is up to standard by use of two and three dimensional precision measuring equipment such as a caliper, a micrometer, and a measuring gauge.
• Perform test run: Perform tests putting a system, machine, tool or other equipment through a series of actions under actual operating conditions in order to assess its reliability and suitability to realise its tasks, and adjust settings accordingly.
• Use automotive diagnostic equipment: Use diagnostic equipment to perform test on motor vehicles, components and systems to detect defects.
• Use testing equipment: Use equipment to test performance and operation of machinery.
• Supervise staff: Oversee the selection, training, performance and motivation of staff.
• Maintain test equipment: Maintain equipment used for testing the quality of systems and products.
• Supervise work: Direct and supervise the day-to-day activities of subordinate personnel.
• Recommend product improvements: Recommend product modifications and process improvements.
• Manage maintenance operations: Oversee maintenance activities, making sure that staff is following procedures and ensuring routine and periodic refurbishment and maintenance activities.
• Liaise with engineers: Collaborate with engineers to ensure common understanding and discuss product design, development and improvement.
• Send faulty equipment back to assembly line: Send equipment that didn’t pass inspection back to the assembly line for re-assembly.
• Analyse production processes for improvement: Analyse production processes leading toward improvement. Analyse in order to reduce production losses and overall manufacturing costs.
• Lead inspections: Lead inspections and the protocol involved, such as introducing the inspection team, explaining the purpose of the inspection, performing the inspection, requesting documents, asking appropriate questions, and maintaining a high level of professionalism when investigating subjects.

7543 – Product graders and testers (excluding foods and beverages)

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References

1. Motor vehicle assembly inspector – ESCO