Manager, Quality Control Lab

VulcanForms Inc.; Ayer (MA); On-site; USD 122,400 - 168,300; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Equity package

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) plan with company match

Paid time off

Job summary

VulcanForms Inc. in Massachusetts seeks a Manager of the Quality Control Lab to oversee inspection workflows, metrology standards, and staff development in a 24/7 manufacturing environment.

You will coordinate lab activities to ensure products meet the highest standards of excellence. You will standardize QC operations, provide data-driven visibility to executives, recruit and train a scalable team, and ensure audit readiness for ISO 9001 and AS9100 while collaborating with Manufacturing,

Qualifications

• 8+ years in Quality Control, Metrology, or Inspection in a high-precision manufacturing environment.
• 3+ years formal management experience with a multi-shift technical team.
• Mastery of GD&T and advanced metrology equipment (CMM, GOM/Blue Light, NDT).
• Budgeting and staffing experience with ability to forecast resource needs based on production volume.
• Deep understanding of ISO 9001 or AS9100 requirements within a lab setting.
• Ability to translate complex quality data into actionable narratives for senior management.

Responsibilities

• Own the daily operations and long-term scheduling for the QC Inspection team; manage throughput, staffing, and costs.
• Act as the primary technical advisor for measurement strategy, downtime, and inspection bottlenecks.
• Establish and enforce engineering standards, lab safety, and validation methods (IQ/OQ/PQ) for metrology equipment.
• Provide Program Managers with accurate turnaround times and proactively manage lab capacity to prevent production delays.
• Architect and maintain KPIs (Backlog Aging, Cycle Time, First‑Pass Yield) to drive improvements.
• Lead recruitment, onboarding, and growth; build multi‑shift training programs for technical competence.
• Ensure the lab is audit-ready for ISO 9001/AS9100 and customer requirements.
• Partner with Manufacturing, Engineering, and Digital teams to integrate inspection data with MES/ERP.

Skills

Quality Control

Metrology

Inspection

GD&T

Budgeting

Staffing

Leadership

Data Reporting

ISO 9001/AS9100 knowledge

Tools

CMM

GOM/Blue Light

Job description

About Us
Founded in 2015 to develop the world’s first industrially scalable laser metal additive manufacturing solution, VulcanForms is reshaping how the world manufactures critical products. We build and operate advanced digital infrastructure that enables innovation, accelerates growth, and supports sustainability across aerospace, defense, medical, and other essential industries. Through our vertically integrated capabilities, including scalable additive manufacturing and precision machining, we deliver true end-to-end production at scale by combining cutting‑edge technology with a foundation of proven industrial craftsmanship. Our team brings deep expertise in manufacturing, materials science, software, automation, and operations, united by a shared commitment to quality, curiosity, and accountability. We foster an inclusive culture where people take ownership, solve meaningful problems, and continuously learn, because we believe diverse perspectives lead to better outcomes.

Job Purpose

Manager of the Quality Control Lab – owner of inspection workflows, metrology standards, and personnel development. Responsible for coordinating all lab activities to ensure VulcanForms’ products meet the highest standards of excellence in a 24/7 manufacturing environment. Manage the laboratory’s physical and human resources to fully support aggressive production ramps. Standardize and scale QC operations while providing executive leadership with data‑driven visibility into lab performance and product quality.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the daily operations and long‑term scheduling for the QC Inspection team. Accountable for departmental results, including throughput, staffing levels, and operational costs.
• Act as the primary technical advisor for the lab, resolving difficult to moderately complex problems regarding measurement strategy, equipment downtime, or inspection bottlenecks.
• Establish and enforce foundational engineering standards, lab safety protocols, and global validation methods (IQ/OQ/PQ) for all metrology equipment.
• Provide Program Managers and executive stakeholders with accurate turnaround times (TAT). Proactively manage the lab’s capacity to prevent production delays.
• Architect and maintain a suite of KPIs (e.g., Backlog Aging, Cycle Time, First‑Pass Yield) to drive measurable improvements in lab efficiency.
• Lead the recruitment, onboarding, and professional growth of the QC team. Build structured, multi‑shift training programs to ensure technical competence remains high as the team scales.
• Ensure the lab is always "audit‑ready" for regulatory bodies (ISO 9001, AS9100) and customer‑specific quality requirements.
• Partner with Manufacturing, Engineering, and Digital teams to ensure inspection data integrates seamlessly with our digital thread (MES/ERP).

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in Quality Control, Metrology, or Inspection within a high‑precision manufacturing environment.
• 3+ years of formal management experience (M2 or Lead level), with proven success managing a multi‑shift technical team.
• Mastery of GD&T and advanced metrology equipment (CMM, GOM/Blue Light, NDT).
• Proven experience with Budgeting & Staffing: Ability to manage departmental costs and forecast resource needs based on production volume.
• Deep understanding of ISO 9001 or AS9100 requirements within a laboratory setting.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex quality data into actionable narratives for senior management.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience running or scaling a QC lab in a fast‑paced, high‑growth "startup‑to‑production" environment.
• Certification in Lean Six Sigma or similar methodologies with experience implementing 5S or Kaizen events in a lab setting.
• Experience with metal Additive Manufacturing (AM) inspection requirements and the unique challenges of powder‑bed fusion quality control.
• Familiarity with automating inspection data workflows and integrating lab results into centralized digital threads.

Compensation & Benefits

VulcanForms offers a competitive salary and equity package. The annual base salary range for this position is $122,400 to $168,300. Compensation is based on factors such as the candidate's skills, qualifications, and experience. In addition, VulcanForms provides comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance; generous paid time off; and a 401(k) plan with company match.