Job description
Role Type
On-site * Contract * Part-time * Associate
Description
Supplier Quality Support Inspector - Part Time
The Opportunity
Quality at 5B starts before a part arrives at our door.
We're looking for a Supplier Quality Support Inspector to be the critical link between our Supplier Quality Management Engineer (SQME) and the external suppliers who make the 5B Maverick possible. You'll inspect incoming parts and packaging against specification, flag deviations before they reach the line, and play a pivotal role in the assembly trials, PPAP and First Article Inspections (FAI) that validate new parts for use.
This is a hands-on, detail-driven part-time role on an initial 12 month fixed-term contract - up to 20 hours a week, ideally around 4 hours a day, with some availability expected most days.
Key Responsibilities
- Audit supplier packaging: Evaluate incoming packaging against requirements and provide clear, constructive feedback.
- Audit supplier parts: Assess received parts against specification, document how they align or deviate, and formalise inspection reports.
- Manage receiving quarantine: Help monitor and manage break points for parts as they arrive, so non-conforming stock doesn't reach production.
- Document and report: Take photos and video of incoming parts and issues, sharing these with the SQME to feed back to suppliers.
- Raise and support NCRs: Prepare Non-Conformance Reports and supply the SQME with the data needed to drive supplier action plans.
- Coordinate part testing: Arrange third-party testing where required - e.g. destructive testing, metrology testing.
- Support warranty investigations: Contribute to data collection and investigation for supplier warranty claims.
- Validate new parts: Support assembly trials, PPAP and FAI activities to help confirm new or changed parts are fit for use.
About You
You're a hands-on, detail-oriented inspector who takes pride in catching what others miss - someone who can read a drawing, spot a deviation, and explain clearly why it matters.
You'll bring:
- 3-5 years' experience in a similar Quality inspector role.
- At least 2 years' hands-on experience with inspection jigs, fixtures and tools.
- At least 2 years' experience using metrology hand tools - verniers, dial gauges, height gauges, tape measures and similar.
- The ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings, including Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T).
- Exposure to Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) principles, with the ability to follow NDT instructions accurately.
- Comfort with everyday digital tools - spreadsheets, documents, email and confidence taking, organising and sharing photos and video.
- Strong analytical thinking, with the ability to spot trends in defect data and contribute to root cause analysis.
- Excellent communication skills and a genuine team-player mindset.
- A diploma or certificate in mechanical engineering (or a similar technical field) is desirable but not essential.
- Lean manufacturing exposure is highly regarded, though not mandatory.
- Availability for up to 20 hours a week, ideally around 4 hours a day, with flexibility to be on hand most days.
Most importantly, you're proactive and detail-obsessed - someone who genuinely enjoys getting to the bottom of why a part doesn't match the specification, and takes satisfaction in catching issues before they become someone else's problem.
About this role
About 5B Australia
Company Overview
5B Australia Pty Ltd
Mascot, NSW, Australia
2013
Employee count is not publicly disclosed, and revenue figures for 2023 or later are not reported.
What They Do
5B Australia Pty Ltd is a pioneering cleantech company that specializes in solar technology, particularly known for its innovative Maverick solar array system. The Maverick is a prefabricated, accordion-style ground-mount solar array that can generate between 50-70 kW per unit, designed specifically for utility-scale solar farms. This technology allows for rapid deployment, with full sites being operational in as little as 10-50 days, significantly reducing the need for onsite labor and cabling. The Maverick system is engineered to withstand extreme weather conditions, boasting a wind rating of 93 m/s, and is capable of integrating with various energy storage solutions and major solar module brands, enhancing its versatility in the renewable energy market (source: 5b.co).
Projects & Track Record
5B has an impressive portfolio of completed and ongoing projects that showcase its capabilities in the solar sector. Notable projects include a 1.5 MW deployment at a landfill in Albury, NSW, which powers a hydrocarbon plant and the surrounding town, and a 10 MWp installation at an off-grid nickel mine in Western Australia, completed in just 42 days. Additionally, the company has successfully deployed 17 MWp systems at both the Jundee Operations and Kathleen Valley lithium mine, demonstrating its efficiency and effectiveness in challenging environments. Ongoing projects include a significant 69 MWp installation in Jobos, Puerto Rico, and a 141 MWp project in Australia, further solidifying 5B's position as a leader in the solar industry (source: 5b.co).
Recent Developments
In recent years, 5B has made significant strides in expanding its operations and capabilities. In 2024, the company secured up to AU$46 million as the first recipient of Australia's Solar Sunshot Program, which will fund the expansion of its Adelaide factory to produce 200 MW of Maverick systems over three years. This funding is expected to reduce domestic production costs by 25% and facilitate a record order of over 100 MW. Furthermore, in October 2025, 5B signed a landmark module supply agreement with JA Solar for a project in Western Australia, marking a significant milestone in its growth trajectory (source: pv-tech.org).
Working There
5B offers a dynamic work environment with a focus on innovation and safety, attracting talent across various fields including manufacturing, engineering, and renewable energy. The company is actively hiring for roles in its Adelaide and Mascot facilities, with positions ranging from factory assembly to field deployment crews and engineering roles focused on renewable energy solutions. The culture at 5B emphasizes rapid deployment and a commitment to clean energy, driven by the founders' passion for engineering and sustainability. Although specific benefits are not publicly documented, the recent funding initiatives indicate a commitment to job creation and team growth (source: 5b.co).