Rolling stock assembly inspector

Rolling stock assembly inspectors use measuring and testing equipment to inspect and monitor rolling stock assemblies to ensure conformity to engineering specifications and to safety standards and regulations. They examine the assemblies to detect malfunction and damage and check repair work. They also provide detailed inspection documentation and recommend action where problems were discovered.

The following job titles also refer to rolling stock assembly inspector:

carriage assembly quality inspector
rail vehicle quality compliance supervisor
traction assembly quality inspector
wagon quality compliance supervisor
multiple unit assembly quality inspector
locomotive assembly quality inspector
multiple unit quality compliance supervisor
rolling stock assembly quality inspector
traction quality compliance supervisor
railcar assembly quality inspector
locomotive quality compliance supervisor
wagon assembly quality inspector
railway vehicle assembly quality inspector
rolling stock quality compliance inspector
carriage quality compliance supervisor
railway vehicle quality compliance supervisor
rail vehicle assembly quality inspector
railcar quality compliance supervisor

A high school diploma is generally required to work as a rolling stock 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.

Rolling stock assembly inspector is a Skill level 2 occupation.

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

vessel assembly inspector
aircraft assembly inspector
motor vehicle assembly inspector
product assembly inspector
consumer goods inspector

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of rolling stock 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 rolling stock assembly inspector with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

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

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of rolling stock 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 trains: Possess basic knowledge of the mechanics involved in trains, understand the technicalities and participate in discussions on related topics in order to solve problems related to the mechanics.
• 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 rolling stock assembly inspector.

• Control compliance of railway vehicles regulations: Inspect rolling stock, components and systems to ensure compliance with standards and specifications.
• 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.
• 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.
• Inspect manufacture of rolling stock: Inspect manufacturing plants where rolling stock parts are produced to ensure safety and quality control. Ensure that components are manufactured in compliance with safety and design specifications.
• 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.
• 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.
• Use testing equipment: Use equipment to test performance and operation of machinery.
• 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 rolling stock assembly inspector. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• 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.
• European train control system: The control and protection system that ensures trains run safely, a standard European system that allows crossing of borders in safety.
• Electricity: Understand the principles of electricity and electrical power circuits, as well as the associated risks.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of rolling stock 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Monitor railway vehicles documentation: Inspect all documents produced during or after rolling stock assembly to ensure operations were done according to regulations and standards.
• 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.
• 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. Rolling stock assembly inspector – ESCO