Quality Control Inspector (Soft Goods Manufacturing)

Location: Irvine, CA (Onsite)

Pay Rate: $20.00 / hour

Schedule: Monday – Friday | 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM

Start Date: Immediate Opening

About the Role

We are seeking a Quality Control Inspector – Soft Goods Manufacturing to join our Costa Mesa manufacturing team. This role is ideal for a detail-oriented professional with experience in sewing, textiles, apparel, upholstery, medical device, aerospace, or other precision manufacturing environments who takes pride in craftsmanship and producing products that meet the highest quality standards.

What You'll Do

• Material & Product Inspection: Conduct receiving, in-process, and final inspections, sampling, and testing on incoming raw materials, components, and finished assemblies.
• Soft Goods Quality Verification: Inspect technical fabrics, stitching, seams, webbing, and overall workmanship against exacting tolerances.
• Technical Measurements: Use precision tools (calipers, micrometers, height gauges) and interpret complex blueprints, engineering drawings, and GD&T requirements.
• Compliance & Documentation: Review production records, maintain accurate inspection logs, and log findings in compliance with quality management systems.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with production teams to flag defects early, assist with root-cause analysis, recommend corrective actions, and support continuous improvement (Lean/Six Sigma) initiatives.
• Calibration Support: Assist with routine maintenance and calibration tracking of inspection tools.

What You'll Bring

• Education: High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
• Experience: 2+ years of hands-on experience in quality control, technical inspection, or manufacturing.
• Industry Experience: Background in sewing, textiles, apparel, upholstery, medical device, aerospace, or other precision manufacturing environments.
• Detail Orientation: Has excellent attention to detail when reviewing stitching, fabric, and workmanship.
• Mathematical Proficiency: Must have strong basic math skills, including the ability to work with fractions, measurements, decimals, and basic calculations.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency with basic measuring instruments, blueprint reading, and spatial measurements.
• Key Competencies: Clear written/verbal communication, strong problem-solving skills, and a team-first mindset.
• Pluses: Prior experience working under ISO 9001 / AS9100 standards or Lean/Six Sigma manufacturing environments.

Why Join Us?

• Mission-Driven Impact: Work on critical safety equipment where quality truly matters.
• Growth Potential: Structured training, supportive leadership, and clear opportunities to advance your quality career.
• Stable Schedule: Standard daytime hours with consistent weekday shifts.
• Competitive Package: Reliable hourly pay with competitive benefits upon permanent conversion.

For more than 50 years, Helpmates has been connecting job seekers with opportunities in a variety of specialties. When you apply with us, you’ll work one-on-one with our team members so that we can get your resume in front of the right employers. Once we’ve made the connections, we know you’ll take it from there. We're excited to see you thrive!