Metrology Engineer

NextPlay Jobs; Blaine (MN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

NextPlay Jobs is seeking a Metrology Engineer / Lead Inspector in Blaine, MN to join the Quality and Inspection team. This role focuses on GD&T, dimensional inspection, and CMM programming while providing leadership to the inspection staff.

The ideal candidate will excel at solving complex measurement problems, develop inspection methods, and work closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, and Quality to ensure product conformance and traceability.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of metrology experience in precision manufacturing or regulated environment.
• Expert-level understanding of GD&T and dimensional inspection.
• Experience with CMM programming and measurement systems.

Responsibilities

• Serve as SME for GD&T and dimensional inspection.
• Lead, train, and develop Quality Inspectors and Technicians.
• Develop, program, and validate inspection methods using CMMs, vision systems, and metrology equipment.
• Interpret complex drawings, tolerances, and GD&T requirements.
• Improve inspection programs, methods, and fixtures.
• Perform Gage R&R and Measurement System Analysis.

Skills

GD&T

Dimensional inspection

CMM programming

Measurement systems

Leadership/mentoring

Tools

Mitutoyo/MCOSMOS

Vision inspection systems

Micro-Vu

Job description

A growing precision manufacturing organization in Blaine, MN is seeking a Metrology Engineer / Lead Inspector to join its Quality and Inspection team.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced metrology professional who wants to remain highly technical while taking on greater ownership, visibility, and leadership responsibility.

The Metrology Engineer / Lead Inspector will serve as a key technical resource for GD&T, dimensional inspection, CMM programming, and measurement systems while helping lead and develop the inspection team. This individual will support both ongoing production and new product development while partnering closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, and Quality.

The ideal candidate is someone who enjoys solving difficult measurement and inspection problems and has become the person others turn to when a part, print, tolerance, or measurement system presents a challenge.

What You'll Do

• Serve as a technical subject matter expert for GD&T and dimensional inspection


• Help lead, train, and develop Quality Inspectors and Technicians


• Develop, program, and validate dimensional inspection methods using CMMs, vision systems, and other precision measurement equipment


• Interpret complex engineering drawings, specifications, tolerances, and GD&T requirements


• Develop and improve inspection programs, measurement methods, and inspection fixtures


• Perform Gage R&R studies and Measurement System Analysis (MSA)


• Troubleshoot complex measurement discrepancies and inspection challenges


• Support root cause investigations and corrective actions related to dimensional quality issues


• Support new product introductions, R&D activities, and process validations


• Partner closely with Engineering and Manufacturing to determine effective inspection strategies


• Support calibration and maintenance of measurement and inspection equipment


• Develop inspection documentation, procedures, and acceptance criteria


• Support internal and external quality audits


• Ensure appropriate traceability of inspection and measurement systems


• Participate in continuous improvement, risk analysis, and change control activities

What We're Looking For

• 5+ years of metrology experience within a precision or regulated manufacturing environment


• Expert-level understanding of GD&T and dimensional inspection


• Experience with Mitutoyo / MCOSMOS is highly desirable


• Experience with vision inspection systems; Micro-Vu experience is a plus


• Experience performing Gage R&R / Measurement System Analysis


• Strong ability to read and interpret complex engineering drawings and specifications


• Experience developing inspection methods, documentation, and acceptance criteria


• Strong understanding of calibration and precision measurement equipment


• Ability to troubleshoot complex dimensional and measurement discrepancies


• Strong problem-solving and root cause analysis skills


• Ability to train, mentor, and provide technical guidance to inspectors and technicians


• Experience within an ISO 13485, FDA, or similarly regulated quality environment is strongly preferred


• Medical device or aerospace manufacturing experience is highly desirable

Ideal Candidate

You've built your career around precision measurement and metrology and have become the person people call when there's a difficult inspection or measurement problem.

You can look at a complex engineering drawing, understand the GD&T requirements, determine the best way to measure the part, develop or program the inspection method, validate that the measurement system is repeatable, and then help others execute that process correctly.

You're technically credible enough to work directly with engineers and machinists but also enjoy training, mentoring, and developing people.

If you're ready to take your metrology expertise beyond simply performing inspections and want an opportunity where you can have meaningful technical ownership and influence how an inspection function operates, this could be an excellent next step.