Mechanical Inspector

Kaiser Aluminum; New Jersey; Hybrid; USD 39,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Kaiser Aluminum is seeking a Mechanical Inspector for its Imperial Machine & Tool Company facility in Columbia, New Jersey. The role drives first article, in-process, and final inspections with precision equipment to ensure conformance to customer specifications and internal quality standards.

The ideal candidate has 1+ year in manufacturing inspection, strong GD&T skills, and CMM experience (OpenDMIS preferred).

Qualifications

• Minimum 1 year of inspection experience in a manufacturing or precision machining environment.
• Strong blueprint reading skills, including GD&T and engineering specifications.
• Experience inspecting close-tolerance machined components using precision measurement equipment.
• CMM operating experience required; CMM programming experience preferred.
• Working knowledge of AS9100 and/or ISO 9001 quality management systems.

Responsibilities

• Perform first article, in-process, and final inspections of machined parts, assemblies, tooling, and raw materials to verify compliance with customer drawings, specifications, and quality requirements.
• Review manufacturing and inspection documentation including travelers, routers, certifications, purchase documentation, and customer specifications.
• Utilize precision measurement equipment including micrometers, calipers, height gages, depth gages, indicators, optical comparators, and CMMs to inspect close-tolerance components.
• Perform CMM inspections as required.
• Verify dimensional compliance to blueprint requirements including GD&T.
• Complete inspection reports, FAIRs, nonconformance documentation, and other quality records accurately and in a timely manner.
• Monitor and verify product quality throughout the manufacturing process in accordance with established procedures, work instructions, and quality standards.
• Witness and document testing activities and conduct internal process and product audits as required.
• Perform internal calibration activities for inspection and measurement equipment as assigned.
• Identify, document, and communicate quality concerns to appropriate personnel to support timely corrective action.
• Maintain organized inspection records and ensure traceability requirements are properly documented and preserved.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives related to quality, inspection processes, and compliance with AS9100 requirements.
• Confidently identify, document, and reject nonconforming product, materials, and documentation, and work with production, engineering, and management to drive timely containment, corrective action, and resolution of quality issues.

Skills

Blueprint reading

CMM operation

AS9100 knowledge

Analytical skills

Documentation

Communication skills

Tools

CMM (OpenDMIS)

Micrometers

Calipers

Height gauges

Optical comparators

Job description

We are seeking a skilled and safety-conscious Mechanical Inspectorto join our team at our Kaiser Aluminum wholly owned subsidiary Imperial Machine & Tool Company in Columbia New Jersey. The Mechanical Inspector is responsible for verifying that manufactured parts, assemblies, materials, and processes conform to customer, regulatory, and internal quality requirements. This role performs first article, in-process, and final inspections using a variety of manual and automated measurement equipment, including Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMMs). The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, analytical, and committed to maintaining the highest standards of quality in a precision machining environment.

• Hourly rate is $28.00 to $36.00 per hour commensurate with experience. $40.00+ per hour if candidate has CMM Programming experience in OpenDMIS.
• Monday thru Friday 7:00 AM to 3:30PM.

What you will work on:

• Perform first article, in-process, and final inspections of machined parts, assemblies, tooling, and raw materials to verify compliance with customer drawings, specifications, and quality requirements.
• Review manufacturing and inspection documentation including travelers, routers, certifications, purchase documentation, and customer specifications.
• Utilize precision measurement equipment including micrometers, calipers, height gages, depth gages, indicators, optical comparators, and CMMs to inspect close-tolerance components.
• Perform CMM inspections as required.
• Verify dimensional compliance to blueprint requirements including geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T).
• Complete inspection reports, first article inspection reports (FAIRs), nonconformance documentation, and other quality records accurately and in a timely manner.
• Monitor and verify product quality throughout the manufacturing process in accordance with established procedures, work instructions, and quality standards.
• Witness and document testing activities and conduct internal process and product audits as required.
• Perform internal calibration activities for inspection and measurement equipment as assigned.
• Identify, document, and communicate quality concerns to appropriate personnel to support timely corrective action.
• Maintain organized inspection records and ensure traceability requirements are properly documented and preserved.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives related to quality, inspection processes, and compliance with AS9100 requirements.
• Confidently identify, document, and reject nonconforming product, materials, and documentation, and work with production, engineering, and management to drive timely containment, corrective action, and resolution of quality issues.

Safety and Physical Requirements:

• Must follow all personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements, including safety glasses and hearing protection as necessary when in manufacturing areas outside of the office
• Exposure to loud noise, metal shavings, and industrial lubricants; adherence to hearing conservation programs and proper ventilation guidelines is required.
• Awareness of potential hazards, including rotating machinery, high temperatures, and pinch points, with a focus on maintaining safety at all times.

Requirements

What you will bring to the role:

• Minimum 1 year of inspection experience in a manufacturing or precision machining environment.
• Strong blueprint reading skills, including interpretation of GD&T and engineering specifications.
• Experience inspecting close-tolerance machined components using a variety of precision measurement equipment.
• CMM operating experience required; CMM programming experience preferred.
• Working knowledge of AS9100 and/or ISO 9001 quality management systems.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Basic mathematical skills, including geometry and trigonometry; advanced trigonometry proficiency is a plus.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and perform inspections with minimal supervision.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Detail-oriented, proactive, and committed to maintaining accurate quality records.
• Flexible and willing to work overtime as business needs require.

This position is safety-sensitive and requires strict adherence to company policies and industry best practices to ensure a safe working environment.

No third-party candidate submissions are being accepted at this time for this opening.

We run one of the finest Metal Additive and CNC Manufacturing operations. We can provide Developmental Prototypes quickly and run the program through the required production quantities in our 40 CNC Machining facility which includes our many 5- Axis Machining centers.

• Military/Defense
• Aerospace
• Semiconductor
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• Oil & Gas

We are an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered based on job-related qualifications and abilities. There shall be no discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, veteran, or disability status.

About Kaiser Aluminum: Talented people join our team because we are a company passionate about environmental sustainability, employee growth, contributing back to our communities and championing an inclusive culture.