Quality Control Inspector Jobs in Cambridge CB1 | Immediate Start
Join a leading team of precision professionals. We're hiring meticulous Quality Control Inspectors for critical roles across Cambridge's advanced manufacturing and technology sectors.
Call our 24/7 recruitment line: +44 333 188 0008
📍 Primary Location
Cambridge CB1
Science Parks & Advanced Manufacturing Hubs
⏱️ Contract Type
Temporary to Permanent
Long-term opportunities available
💷 Pay Rate
£16.00 - £24.00 p/h
Weekly Pay, Overtime Available
📅 Shift Patterns
Days, Nights & Weekends
Flexible to suit your availability
About This Quality Control Inspector Opportunity
Staffing Service is recruiting experienced and detail-oriented Quality Control Inspectors for immediate start positions within Cambridge CB1 and the surrounding technology corridor. Our clients are leading names in biotech, precision engineering, electronics, and pharmaceutical manufacturing, requiring professionals who can uphold the highest standards of product integrity.
This role is critical for ensuring that components and finished products meet stringent specifications, regulatory compliance, and customer expectations. You'll be working with cutting-edge technology in state-of-the-art facilities, where your keen eye for detail directly impacts product safety, reliability, and brand reputation. Whether you have experience in mechanical inspection, electronic assembly verification, or laboratory sample analysis, we have a role that matches your skillset.
We are a specialist Skilled Trades Recruitment agency with a strong track record across the UK. Just as we provide immediate start roles in Enfield's warehouse sector, we are now scaling our specialist teams in Cambridge to support its booming high-tech industries. For candidates interested in logistics coordination, we also have parallel opportunities for a Transport Planner, a role crucial for managing the efficient distribution of these quality-assured products.
Why Cambridge CB1?
Cambridge CB1 is the epicentre of the 'Cambridge Phenomenon', home to globally renowned science parks like Cambridge Science Park and Granta Park. This area hosts hundreds of R&D and manufacturing companies driving innovation in life sciences, cleantech, and advanced materials. As a Quality Control Inspector here, you'll be at the forefront of UK technological advancement, with unparalleled opportunities for career progression and skill development.
Key Responsibilities & Duties
1Inspection & Testing
- ✓ Perform first-article, in-process, and final inspections using calibrated measuring equipment (CMMs, micrometers, calipers, optical comparators).
- ✓ Conduct visual inspections for surface defects, contamination, and assembly errors against engineering drawings and work instructions.
- ✓ Execute functional tests and performance validation on electronic assemblies, mechanical systems, or medical devices.
- ✓ Manage sample testing regimes for raw materials and finished goods, documenting results meticulously.
2Documentation & Compliance
- ✓ Accurately complete inspection reports, non-conformance reports (NCRs), and quality control certificates.
- ✓ Ensure all processes and products comply with relevant standards (ISO 9001, ISO 13485, GMP, AS9100).
- ✓ Maintain calibration logs and ensure all test equipment is within its valid certification period.
- ✓ Participate in internal and external audit preparations, providing necessary documentation and evidence.
3Process Improvement & Liaison
- ✓ Work closely with production supervisors and engineers to identify root causes of quality issues and implement corrective actions.
- ✓ Support the Transport Planner and logistics team by verifying outgoing shipment quality, ensuring products are correctly packaged and labelled to prevent damage in transit.
- ✓ Contribute to continuous improvement (CI) initiatives, suggesting enhancements to inspection methods and quality procedures.
- ✓ Liaise with suppliers regarding incoming material quality concerns, providing detailed feedback and rejection data.
Essential Requirements
Must-Have Qualifications & Experience
- ! Proven experience as a Quality Control Inspector, preferably within aerospace, automotive, medical devices, electronics, or precision engineering.
- ! Formal qualification in engineering, manufacturing, or a science-related discipline (NVQ Level 3, HNC, or equivalent).
- ! Proficiency in reading and interpreting technical drawings, GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing), and specifications.
- ! Hands-on experience with precision measuring instruments (micrometers, verniers, height gauges, CMM operation).
- ! Strong IT skills, including familiarity with quality management software and Microsoft Office.
- ! Excellent attention to detail, analytical mindset, and a methodical approach to problem-solving.
Desirable Skills & Attributes
Salary, Benefits & What We Offer
💷 Competitive Pay Structure
£16.00 - £24.00 p/h
Pay is experience-dependent, with enhanced rates for night shifts, overtime, and specialist sector knowledge (e.g., pharma GMP).
- ✓ Weekly payments via PAYE or Umbrella
- ✓ Overtime at 1.5x & 2.0x rates
- ✓ Holiday pay accrual
🚀 Career & Development
- ↑ Progression Pathways: Move into Senior Inspector, Quality Engineer, or Auditor roles. We also support cross-training into related planning functions like Transport Planner.
- 📚 Training Support: Access to discounted courses for relevant certifications (ISO Auditing, NDT, etc.).
- 🏢 Prestigious Clients: Gain experience with world-leading Cambridge-based companies, boosting your CV.
⚡ Working Conditions
- 🔄 Flexible Contracts: Choose from temporary, temp-to-perm, or permanent placements to suit your career goals.
- 👔 Professional Environment: Work in clean, modern, and well-equipped manufacturing and laboratory facilities.
- 📞 24/7 Support: A dedicated consultant and our 24/7 helpline provide ongoing support throughout your assignment.
- 🚌 Travel Support: Roles are easily accessible via Cambridge's transport links; some clients offer onsite parking.
Why Choose a Quality Control Career with Staffing Service?
Precision Matching
We don't just fill roles; we match your specific inspection skills (mechanical, electronic, visual) with the right client and project in Cambridge's diverse tech landscape.
Sector Specialism
From construction to advanced manufacturing, our sector expertise means we understand the unique quality protocols required, ensuring you're placed where your skills are valued most.
Speed to Hire
Leverage our streamlined vetting process. Just as we provide rapid deployment for safety-critical roles, we get quality professionals into new positions within days, not weeks.
How to Apply for Quality Control Inspector Roles in Cambridge CB1
Follow three simple steps to start your new career in quality assurance.
Submit Your Details
Email your current CV and contact information to our dedicated recruitment team. Highlight your experience in inspection, testing, and relevant industry sectors.
Skills Review & Interview
Our specialist consultant will contact you within 24 hours for a brief discussion to understand your experience, preferences, and right-to-work status.
Client Introduction & Start
We'll arrange a client interview (often same-day) and handle all onboarding. Receive your contract, site details, and start your new role ASAP.
Ready to Ensure Excellence in Cambridge?
Join professionals who have already secured roles through our specialist service.
EMAIL YOUR CV TO APPLYIf you are interested email your cv and info to [email protected]
Prefer to call? Speak to a consultant now: +44 333 188 0008
Frequently Asked Questions
Cambridge CB1 is a hub for several high-tech industries. We are currently placing Quality Control Inspectors in the following sectors: Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology (GMP cleanrooms, lab equipment), Precision Engineering & Aerospace (machined components, composites), Electronics & Semiconductor (PCB assembly, micro-devices), and Renewable Energy/Cleantech (battery systems, solar panels). Each sector has its own standards, and we match your experience accordingly.
No. All necessary calibrated inspection equipment (CMMs, micrometers, optical comparators, etc.) is provided by the client onsite. You are expected to have the knowledge to use them proficiently. For some specialised contractor roles, possessing your own basic set of calibrated hand tools (e.g., verniers, plug gauges) can be beneficial but is not a mandatory requirement for the roles we advertise.
Absolutely. This role is often a gateway to senior positions. With experience, you can progress to Senior Quality Inspector, Quality Engineer, Quality Assurance (QA) Auditor, or Quality Manager. There are also lateral moves into related functions like Transport Planner, where understanding product quality is crucial for logistics planning. We support this progression through our network and can guide you towards relevant training, much like we do for staff in other sectors such as retail career development in Meadowhall.
Our process is designed for speed due to urgent client needs. Upon receiving your CV, we aim to conduct an initial phone screening within 24 hours. If suitable, a client interview is often arranged within 1-3 working days. Successful candidates can frequently start work within the same week. This mirrors the efficient placement speed we're known for in other urgent sectors, similar to our rapid deployment of warehouse operatives in Dartford.
Yes, we recruit for a wide range of technical and planning positions across Cambridge and the East of England. Alongside Quality Control Inspector roles, we frequently recruit Laboratory Technicians, Manufacturing Assemblers, Test Engineers,