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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for CNC Quality Inspector

💰 $48,000 - $75,000

ManufacturingQuality AssuranceInspectionCNCMetrology

🎯 Role Definition

A CNC Quality Inspector is a skilled manufacturing quality professional who verifies that machined parts produced on CNC equipment meet engineering drawings, dimensional tolerances, and customer requirements. The role combines hands-on metrology using CMMs and manual gauges, interpretation of GD&T, creation and execution of inspection plans, and communication with production and engineering teams to prevent non-conforming product. This position supports first article inspection, in-process verification, final inspection, and continuous improvement initiatives in precision machining environments (aerospace, medical device, automotive, industrial).

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Manufacturing Technician or CNC Operator transitioning into inspection
  • Quality Inspector (general) moving to precision/CNC inspection
  • Metrology Technician or Machine Operator with measurement exposure

Advancement To:

  • Senior CNC Quality Inspector / Lead Inspector
  • Quality Engineer (Dimensional/Manufacturing)
  • Metrology Engineer or CMM Programmer
  • Quality Supervisor or Quality Manager
  • Supplier Quality Engineer (for suppliers and subcontractors)

Lateral Moves:

  • CNC Setup/Programmer
  • Process Technician / Process Engineer
  • Production Supervisor (manufacturing leadership)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Perform detailed dimensional inspections of CNC-machined components using coordinate measuring machines (CMM), ensuring measurements conform to engineering drawings and GD&T tolerances and documenting results in inspection reports or quality systems.
  • Read, interpret and apply engineering blueprints, tolerances, geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T), product specifications and work instructions to determine correct inspection methods and acceptance criteria.
  • Program, verify and operate CNC CMMs (e.g., PC-DMIS, Mitutoyo, Hexagon) to create and run inspection routines for first article inspections (FAI), run charts, and production checks.
  • Conduct First Article Inspections (FAI) and generate FAI documentation (AS9102 or customer-specific forms), identifying non-conformances and working with manufacturing and engineering to resolve findings.
  • Perform in-process and final inspections using hand tools (micrometers, calipers, height gauges, thread gauges), surface plates, optical comparators and vision systems to verify critical dimensions and features.
  • Create, update and maintain inspection plans, sampling plans, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and inspection checklists to ensure repeatable, traceable quality verification.
  • Execute statistical process control (SPC) activities including data collection, trend analysis and control chart maintenance to monitor machine/process capability and identify drift or instability.
  • Document nonconforming product, initiate nonconformance reports (NCRs), perform root cause analysis with production, and track corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) to closure.
  • Collaborate with CNC programmers and machinists to provide feedback on machine set-up, fixturing, tooling or program edits that improve part conformance and reduce scrap or rework.
  • Measure, validate and certify special tooling, gauges and fixtures; ensure calibration status of all measuring instruments is current and recorded.
  • Perform dimensional accountability on complex geometric features (threads, bores, surface finishes, datums) and verify functional fit for assemblies and mating parts.
  • Lead or support process capability studies (Cp, Cpk), machine capability studies and capability improvement projects to increase yield and reduce variation.
  • Support supplier quality and incoming inspection by qualifying vendor-supplied parts, reviewing certificates of conformance, and performing incoming dimensional verification when required.
  • Communicate inspection findings and technical issues clearly and professionally to production, engineering and management during daily meetings and escalation channels.
  • Maintain accurate quality records, inspection data, measurement results and traceability in the company's quality management system (QMS) or ERP (e.g., SAP, Oracle) as required.
  • Train and mentor junior inspectors and production staff on correct inspection techniques, tool usage and interpretation of drawing requirements and acceptance criteria.
  • Participate in first article review boards, design reviews and engineering change notifications (ECNs) to evaluate dimensional impacts and ensure inspection readiness.
  • Use metrology software and measurement data exports to create reports, compare part geometry to CAD models and provide measurement-based evidence for design or process changes.
  • Lead containment activities for suspect production runs, segregating parts, dispositioning, rework coordination and verifying corrective actions before product release.
  • Support continuous improvement activities including 5S, Lean, Kaizen events and measurement system analysis (MSA) to reduce inspection time and improve data quality.
  • Ensure compliance with industry quality standards and customer-specific requirements, including ISO 9001 and AS9100, maintaining audit readiness for internal and external audits.
  • Proactively identify opportunities for inspection automation, digital measurement capture, or improved fixturing to streamline inspection throughput and reduce human error.

Secondary Functions

  • Maintain calibration records and coordinate with external labs or metrology teams to schedule calibrations for gauges and CMM machines.
  • Assist with non-destructive testing (NDT) or surface finish inspections when required to verify product functionality beyond dimensional control.
  • Support inventory management for inspection tools, consumables and gauge sets; request replacements and maintain tool organization.
  • Provide inspection support for engineering prototypes, production startups, and product validation runs to ensure manufacturability and measurement plan completeness.
  • Participate in cross-functional problem-solving teams to investigate recurring defects, participate in root cause analysis and document corrective actions.
  • Generate and distribute daily/weekly inspection summaries and KPI reports (yield, scrap rate, Cpk) to manufacturing leadership.
  • Escalate quality risks or customer-impacting issues to Quality Manager and assist in customer communications or corrective action responses as requested.
  • Maintain a safe and organized inspection area, follow company safety policies and proactively address safety or ergonomic concerns related to inspection tasks.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) operation and programming (PC-DMIS, Calypso, Mitutoyo) — ability to program probe paths, inspect complex geometry, and validate results.
  • Interpretation of engineering drawings and advanced GD&T knowledge (ASME Y14.5) to evaluate feature control frames, datums and tolerance stacks.
  • Proficiency with manual metrology tools: micrometers, calipers, height gauges, bore gauges, thread gauges, plug gauges, optical comparators and surface plates.
  • Experience performing First Article Inspection (FAI) and creating AS9102 / customer FAI packages.
  • Statistical Process Control (SPC) fundamentals and use of SPC software/tools (Minitab, InfinityQS) for trend analysis and capability studies.
  • Measurement system analysis (MSA) and gauge R&R execution to validate inspection methods and equipment precision.
  • Familiarity with quality management systems (QMS) and standards: ISO 9001, AS9100, ITAR and customer-specific quality requirements.
  • Ability to create and manage inspection plans, check sheets, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for dimensional verification.
  • Experience with metrology/inspection software and CAD comparison tools to analyze measurement data against CAD models.
  • Working knowledge of ERP/QMS data entry for inspection results, nonconformance tracking and traceability (SAP, Oracle, TrackWise).
  • Basic CNC machine process knowledge to understand sources of variation (fixturing, tooling, cutting conditions) and collaborate on corrective actions.
  • Familiarity with first-piece approvals, PPAP processes (for automotive roles), and supplier inspection processes when applicable.
  • Competence in precision measurement of finishes, threads, bores, and functional fits — ensuring parts meet assembly requirements.
  • Knowledge of lean manufacturing tools (5S, Kaizen) and continuous improvement methodologies to improve inspection throughput.
  • Use of vision systems and optical measurement tools for high-volume or micro-feature inspection where applicable.

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional attention to detail with a strong commitment to accuracy and repeatability in measurement and documentation.
  • Clear, concise technical communication skills to explain inspection findings, generate reports, and interact with cross-functional teams.
  • Strong problem-solving and analytical thinking to diagnose measurement failures or root causes of non-conforming parts.
  • Team player with the ability to mentor less-experienced inspectors and cooperate with production, engineering and suppliers.
  • Time management and organizational skills to prioritize inspections, maintain calibration schedules and meet production deadlines.
  • Adaptability and willingness to learn new metrology tools, software and inspection methodologies.
  • Professionalism and integrity when handling product confidentiality and customer-specific requirements.
  • Persistence and customer-focus when driving corrective actions to closure and ensuring delivered product quality.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or GED with strong math skills and hands-on measurement experience.

Preferred Education:

  • Associate degree or certificate in Manufacturing Technology, Metrology, Mechanical Engineering Technology or related technical discipline.
  • Additional certification(s) such as ASQ Certified Quality Inspector (CQI), CMM programming certificate, or PC-DMIS training are advantageous.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Manufacturing Technology
  • Metrology / Precision Measurement
  • Mechanical Engineering Technology
  • Industrial Engineering
  • Quality Assurance / Quality Engineering

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 2 to 7 years of dimensional inspection experience in CNC machining environments; entry roles may start at 1+ year with strong tool/method exposure.

Preferred:

  • 3+ years specifically performing CMM programming/operation and first article inspections in aerospace, medical device, automotive or precision manufacturing.
  • Proven track record with GD&T application, SPC usage, and supporting continuous improvement initiatives in a regulated environment.
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