First Article Quality Assurance 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

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.