QC Lead/CMM Programmer (QCL)

Total Aviation Staffing; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 62,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and dental insurance

Paid time off

Holiday pay

Sick leave

Job summary

Total Aviation Staffing is seeking an experienced QC Lead / CMM Programmer in California to oversee dimensional inspections and CMM programming on high-mix aerospace prototypes. You will lead a QC team, drive inspection planning, and ensure compliance with AS9102 and GD&T standards.

Responsibilities include leading daily QC activities, coordinating with machinists, and verifying CMM results, with a focus on continuous quality improvements and accurate documentation in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• 5–10+ years in mechanical QC inspection for precision CNC.
• Proven experience programming and operating CMM equipment.
• Strong understanding of GD&T and engineering drawing interpretation.
• Ability to investigate measurement discrepancies and make final quality decisions.
• Experience with AS9102 First Article Inspection requirements.
• Experience in AS9100 and/or ISO 9001 environments.
• Experience leading, assigning, and prioritizing work for a QC team.
• Strong organizational, communication, analytical, and decision-making skills.

Responsibilities

• Program and operate Zeiss CMMs for dimensional inspections.
• Manage QC priorities, workflow, and daily inspection activities.
• Lead, assign, and oversee QC Inspectors to ensure quality standards are met.
• Perform detailed manual inspections using surface plates, height gages, micrometers, and other precision measuring equipment.
• Serve as the final authority on escalated inspection and quality issues.
• Independently verify CMM results using manual measurement techniques and resolve discrepancies.
• Conduct FAI in accordance with AS9102 requirements.
• Utilize High QA software for inspection planning, reporting, and documentation.
• Collaborate with machinists and production teams to maintain part flow.
• Maintain inspection records and support audits.
• Identify and implement improvements to inspection processes and quality systems.

Skills

CMM programming

Dimensional inspection

GD&T

AS9102

AS9100/ISO 9001

Team leadership

Problem solving

Tools

Zeiss CMM

Calypso

High QA software

Mitutoyo optical comparator

Starrett vision systems

Job description

Join our team as a QC Lead / CMM Programmer and play a key role in maintaining the highest quality standards for precision-machined aerospace components. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced quality professional who enjoys working in a fast-paced, high-mix prototyping environment and has strong expertise in CMM programming, dimensional inspection, and GD&T.

In this role, you’ll lead QC activities, support inspection operations, resolve complex quality issues, and help drive continuous improvements across the manufacturing process.

Responsibilities

• Program and operate Zeiss Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMM) for dimensional inspections.
• Manage QC priorities, workflow, and daily inspection activities.
• Lead, assign, and oversee QC Inspectors to ensure quality standards are consistently met.
• Perform detailed manual inspections using surface plates, height gages, micrometers, and other precision measuring equipment.
• Serve as the final authority on escalated inspection and quality issues.
• Independently verify CMM results using manual measurement techniques and resolve discrepancies.
• Conduct First Article Inspections (FAI) in accordance with AS9102 requirements.
• Utilize High QA software for inspection planning, reporting, and documentation.
• Collaborate closely with machinists and production teams to maintain efficient part flow.
• Maintain accurate inspection records and support internal and external quality audits.
• Identify and implement improvements to inspection processes, quality systems, and inspection methods.

Requirements

• 5–10+ years of mechanical quality-control inspection experience in precision CNC machining.
• Proven experience programming and operating CMM equipment.
• Strong knowledge of manual dimensional inspection techniques.
• Advanced understanding of GD&T and engineering drawing interpretation.
• Ability to independently investigate measurement discrepancies and make final quality decisions.
• Familiarity with AS9102 First Article Inspection requirements.
• Experience working in AS9100 and/or ISO 9001 quality environments.
• Previous experience leading, assigning, and prioritizing work for a QC team.
• Strong organizational, communication, analytical, and decision-making skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience inspecting aerospace components.
• Experience with Zeiss CMM programming, particularly Zeiss Calypso.
• Familiarity with Mitutoyo optical comparators and Starrett vision systems.
• Experience using High QA inspection software.

Equipment & Technology

• Mitutoyo Optical Comparator.
• Digital Height Gages.
• Surface Plates.
• Micrometers and Precision Measurement Gages.
• High QA Software.
• $45–$55 per hour, depending on experience.
• Comprehensive medical and dental insurance.
• Generous paid time off.
• Holiday pay and sick leave.
• Opportunity to make a direct impact in a quality-driven aerospace manufacturing environment.
• Work alongside a team committed to quality, integrity, and continuous improvement.