Quality Assurance | Landing gear

Quality assurance that protects aircraft takeoff and landing.: T.N Joined in 2008

#Career Hiring
#Technical jobs

My job description: I primarily perform quality assurance work for aircraft landing gear products, commissioned by government agencies, domestic and international aircraft manufacturers, and aircraft landing gear manufacturers. The Quality Assurance Department has two inspection lines: incoming inspection (entrance) and final inspection (exit). In the incoming inspection (entrance), we inspect parts received from our partner companies, while in the final inspection (exit), we inspect parts manufactured in-house. My job involves creating and revising these two inspection procedures, handling nonconformities and complaints both internally and externally, building a quality control system, and providing quality guidance to partner companies. In the unlikely event of a nonconformity or complaint, I work with our internal manufacturing department and partner companies to investigate the cause and consider countermeasures, such as revising work and inspection procedures, to prevent the same problem from occurring again. I also visit partner companies' sites as needed to conduct quality audits and provide guidance.
Job satisfaction: We manufacture aircraft landing gear, without which aircraft cannot take off or land. I feel a sense of accomplishment every day knowing that I'm involved in the manufacturing of these critical components. I often see footage of aircraft equipped with our landing gear on television, including the C-2 transport planes used by government agencies to rescue Japanese nationals in conflict zones, the F-15/F-2 fighter jets used to patrol suspicious ships overseas, and the T-4/ Blue Impulse sporting the Olympic logo for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. We are extremely proud that our products are used not only in civilian aircraft, but also in aircraft protecting the safety of Japan and the world. We have built a track record and longstanding trust through business with government agencies and domestic and international aircraft, airframe, and landing gear manufacturers. Behind this is a quality assurance team that constantly monitors product quality.
Difficulty of the job: If a landing gear malfunction renders the aircraft unable to move, it is a major problem. For example, if the aircraft is a rescue aircraft during a disaster, human lives could be at stake. Therefore, our mission in quality assurance is to prevent problems by preventing them from occurring and resolving them before they occur. Communication with other departments within the company and external parties (customers and partner companies) is particularly important in our work. Manufacturing landing gear involves multiple processes, including machining, heat treatment, plating, and painting. There are many challenges and problems that are difficult to resolve on our own or in the quality assurance department. To resolve these issues quickly, we proactively communicate with our superiors, colleagues, and experts in other departments, rather than worrying about them alone. We also conduct quality audits and provide guidance to partner companies to improve their performance, depending on the situation.
The reason why I chose the company and what it's like to work here: My father worked for an electronics manufacturer, so from a young age I wanted to be involved in manufacturing. That's why I joined an electronics manufacturer. I became interested in our company when I learned that Amagasaki has an aircraft equipment manufacturer, which is rare in Japan. I was also attracted by the idea of working globally, so I applied. During the interview, the head of human resources and the head of quality assurance showed me around each workplace and even treated me to coffee. Our company is the only one that serves coffee during interviews (laughs). I felt the warmth of the people. When I joined the company, I was surprised by the number of parts in landing gear products and the long lead time. A landing gear product is made up of approximately 500 to 600 parts, and it takes about two to three months to complete. With so much knowledge and skill in parts, I think I'll grow quickly.

The good points of the company: The aircraft equipment delivered to Ministry of Defense and domestic aircraft manufacturers is related to national defense, and the fact that our products play a part in that is what attracts me the most. I also think it's an open company, with easy communication between superiors and colleagues. There's an atmosphere of the company and the entire department working together as one team to solve problems and issues! Outside of work, there's a lot of interaction among employees, and the factory has a bar, sauna, training gym, and convenience store, all of which I regularly visit. I often go to the bar after going to the training gym and then the sauna, and by using these facilities, I can interact with people from other departments outside of work hours.
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