First Article Intake (FAI) Specialist

OUTFORM; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Outform Group in Chicago is seeking a First Article Intake Specialist to evaluate and approve first article samples and die strike components, ensuring compliance with customer specs, engineering drawings, and QA standards before full production.

You'll verify tooling readiness, dimensions, colors, finishes, and assembly requirements; identify non-conformances, coordinate with production and engineering, and participate in milestone meetings (M4/M5) to keep schedules on track.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; Associate degree preferred.
• Direct experience in quality inspection, manufacturing, packaging, retail display production, printing, or related industries.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, and specifications.
• Experience using precision measuring instruments such as calipers, rulers, gauges, and templates.
• Strong organizational and documentation skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Experience with retail displays, POP/POS manufacturing, corrugated packaging, or fixture production.
• Knowledge of quality management systems and inspection methodologies.
• Familiarity with die-cutting processes, tooling approvals, and first article inspection procedures.
• Experience working in a fast-paced production environment.
• Bilingual in English + Spanish preferred.

Responsibilities

• Review and approve first article samples prior to full production run.
• Verify dimensions, materials, finishes, colors, graphics, and assembly requirements against engineering drawings and customer specifications.
• Identify non-conformances and coordinate corrective actions with production, engineering, and project teams.
• Evaluate die strike samples to ensure accuracy of tooling and production readiness.
• Verify cut lines, scoring, perforations, folds, and overall structural integrity.
• Confirm die strikes align with approved artwork, specifications, and production requirements.
• Approve or reject die strike samples and communicate required revisions.
• Collaborate with internal teams to resolve issues.
• Attend all required Milestone meetings (M4/M5).

Skills

Reading drawings

MS Office

Attention to detail

Time management

Problem solving

Communication

Team collaboration

Bilingual EN/ES

Education

High school diploma

Associate degree

Tools

Calipers

Gauges

Blueprints

Job description

Company Overview

At Outform Group, our guiding philosophy is Dare To Innovate. Outform Group specializes in creating tangible consumer engagements that elevate, connect and humanize brand experiences. We unite leading experts in research, strategy, design, innovation and manufacturing, who work together to create unforgettable brand experiences. Lean, interdisciplinary teams work in close collaboration with clients, helping them to solve their user’s biggest problems. Our user‑centric, data‑driven approach focuses on creating a seamless experience across different environments.

Job Summary

The First Article Intake Specialist is responsible for evaluating and approving first article samples and die strike components to ensure compliance with customer specifications, engineering drawings, quality standards, and manufacturing requirements. This role serves as a critical quality gate within the production process, verifying that tooling, materials, dimensions, finishes, and assembly methods meet all requirements before full‑scale production is authorized.

Direct Reports

• None

Scope & Accountability

Maintain a strong focus on timeliness and quality, ensuring all first articles are approved in an efficient and timely manner to avoid any delays or negative impact on production schedules.

Key Responsibilities

• Review and approve first article samples prior to full production run
• Verify dimensions, materials, finishes, colors, graphics, and assembly requirements against engineering drawings and customer specifications.
• Identify non‑conformances and coordinate corrective actions with production, engineering, and project teams.
• Evaluate die strike samples to ensure accuracy of tooling and production readiness.
• Verify cut lines, scoring, perforations, folds, and overall structural integrity.
• Confirm die strikes align with approved artwork, specifications, and production requirements.
• Approve or reject die strike samples and communicate required revisions.Collaborate with internal teams to resolve issues.
• Attend all required Milestone meetings (M4/M5).

Key Interfaces (Non‑Reporting)

• Manufacturing Manager
• Finishing Manager
• Director of Quality
• Structural Design Manager
• Production Project Managers
• Design Team

Key Performance Indicators

• Complete first article inspections and approvals within 24 hours of sample receipt
• Track and manage Idle Press Time Rate
• Track and manage FAI Approval Rate

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; Associate degree preferred.
• Direct experience in quality inspection, manufacturing, packaging, retail display production, printing, or related industries.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, and specifications.
• Experience using precision measuring instruments such as calipers, rulers, gauges, and templates.
• Strong organizational and documentation skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Experience with retail displays, POP/POS manufacturing, corrugated packaging, or fixture production.
• Knowledge of quality management systems and inspection methodologies.
• Familiarity with die‑cutting processes, tooling approvals, and first article inspection procedures.Experience working in a fast‑paced production environment.
• Bilingual in English + Spanish preferred.

Leadership Attributes & Personal Characteristics

• Attention to Detail
• Quality Focus
• Technical Aptitude
• Problem Solving
• Communication Skills
• Time Management
• Process Improvement Mindset
• Team Collaboration

Essential Functions

Working conditions are in a normal office environment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk, sit, and stand, using hands to handle, finger, or feel objects, tools, or controls. Occasionally, the employee must crouch or kneel. The employee must occasionally exert or lift up to 20 pounds. Successful performance requires good eyesight with or without corrective lenses. Requires long periods of time working at a computer and includes phone work.

Disclaimer

The above information has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification and may be amended at any time at the sole discretion of the Employer. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.