Ocean Career: Sofar Ocean Quality Inspector

Sofar is on a mission to connect the world’s oceans. We design, build, and deploy the largest privately owned network of marine weather sensors to power the world’s best marine weather forecasts. Our data helps our customers to increase efficiency and reduce emissions, delivering tools to governments and other stakeholders to understand impacts of climate change on extreme weather and ocean health. We live on Planet Ocean, and our goal is to create the ocean intelligence needed to ensure a sustainable future.

The Role

Sofar Ocean builds and deploys thousands of low-cost, global, open ocean sensors to remote and harsh environments, and we’re growing! We’re seeking a Quality Inspector to join our small but mighty production team. Using your inspection superpowers, you will ensure Sofar’s internal and external manufactured parts and FG products, meet all drawing/specification requirements, and world class quality.

Impact You’ll Own:

  • Work independently to accomplish visual and dimensional mechanical inspection processes with minimal supervision, to the quality industry and department standards, while adhering to best safety practices
  • Be able to read and interpret engineering level mechanical drawings containing GD&T covered by ASME Y14.5 standard, CTF, assembly and part specifications.
  • Be able to establish accept/reject criteria and revision status from drawings
  • Be able to independently conduct first article, incoming material, in-process and final product inspections to confirm compliance to specifications in a fast-paced environment
  • Determine acceptability of raw materials, components, subassemblies and finished products according to standards, guidelines and conformance criteria defined in Sofar’s procedures, work instructions, drawings, and product requirements
  • Identify, document, and resolve product nonconformances
  • Notify appropriate personnel of potential rejection of products
  • Document inspection results by completing reports and logs, and correctly and carefully inputting data into the quality database management software
  • Accomplish inspection related tasks as directed by the quality department or upper management
  • Provide input to continuous improvement activities for Sofar’s products and manufacturing processes
  • Support manufacturing/assembly/warehouse teams as needed

About you

  • High school diploma or equivalent qualification
  • A minimum of 3–4 years’ experience in a similar quality inspection role, along with direct understanding of ISO 9001, ISO 13485 or TS16949
  • Manufacturing/production environment experience a plus
  • Good knowledge of Google apps, Excel/Word, previous experience with an ERP
  • Good math and technical skills, interpreting simple wiring diagrams and cable drawings a major plus
  • Strong understanding of quality control standards and testing techniques
  • Proficiency with interpreting GD&T, familiarity of metric and imperial unit systems
  • Working knowledge of inspection equipment required (calipers, micrometers, custom gages, pins, other testing equipment)
  • Comfortable and able to operate successfully in ambiguous and rapidly changing growth environments
  • Trustworthy and credible, strong integrity
  • Attention to detail, you strive for excellence in everything you do
  • Sense of urgency to meet deadlines on time and under minimal supervision
  • Fluent in English
  • Huge plus if you have a deep passion for the ocean

Physical Requirements of the Role

  • Ability to lift 40+ pounds on a regular basis
  • Ability to operate standard production equipment
  • Ability to climb stairs 

Estimated Salary Range

  • $28.00 – $36.00 hourly
  • The range listed is what we reasonably expect to pay for this role at the time of this posting. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and may be modified in the future. Actual compensation packages are based on several factors that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to skill set, experience, and equity package. 


This role would work onsite from our Pier 28 location in San Francisco, CA. Hours are 8:00am – 4:30pm.

Learn more about this opportunity and how to apply.

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