Quality Assurance Inspector II

Gleason; Loves Park (IL); On-site; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) match

Flexible scheduling

NYS Certified Apprenticeship Program

Shift premiums

Development opportunities

Job summary

Gleason Cutting Tools Corporation in Loves Park, IL is seeking a Quality Assurance Inspector to maintain high production quality. You will perform inspections, record defects, and support continuous improvement as part of the QA team.

Ideal candidates will have strong attention to detail, experience with CMMs and metrology tools, and familiarity with ISO 9001/14001. The role involves collaboration with design, sales, and manufacturing for timely, compliant tool production.

Qualifications

• Inspect materials, products and components to specifications.
• Record and report defects and non-conformities accurately.
• Investigate root causes and participate in corrective actions.

Responsibilities

• Perform visual, dimensional, and functional inspections.
• Maintain inspection records and reports.
• Support QA activities within ISO 9001/14001 systems.
• Collaborate with production, design and manufacturing teams.

Skills

Attention to detail

Quality standards

Inspection processes

Communication

Microsoft Office 365

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Micrometers

Calipers

Surface finish equipment

Optical comparators

CMM

Job description

Gleason Cutting Tools Corporation, 1351 Windsor Road, Loves Park, Illinois, United States of America

Rockford, IL, USA

Job Description

Posted Wednesday, August 5, 2026 at 4:00 AM

About Gleason

With more than 2,200 employees and 13 manufacturing facilities worldwide, Gleason Corporation is a leader in gear technology. Gleason's product and service offerings include gear and transmission design software, gear manufacturing machines and related accessories, gear metrology equipment and automation systems. Gleason products are used by customers in e-mobility, commercial vehicles, aerospace, agriculture, mining, sustainable energy, construction, power tools, marine and many other industries.

Working for Gleason, you will be connected to work that matters, putting your expertise to its best use while developing skills for the future. The result is a career defined by you, supported by Gleason and built on tangible accomplishments. As we continue to grow and evolve, we are looking for the right people to join us on our mission. If you are interested in being part of our team, there are a few things you should know: We are energized by challenges and the effort needed to solve them. We like working with people who are positive, adaptable and growth-minded. We care how work gets accomplished and are deeply invested in the success of our customers and colleagues. If this sounds like you, we invite you to read on and learn more.

Why work at Gleason?

• Excellent benefits package including a 6% Company 401(k) match
• Flexible scheduling options available in some departments
• NYS Certified Apprenticeship Program
• Shift premiums for 2nd and 3rd shifts
• Formal and informal development opportunities.

POSITION SUMMARY

Working under the general supervision of the Quality Supervisor and the Quality Assurance Lead Technician, the Quality Assurance Inspector is responsible for performing action-oriented duties and tasks, focused on maintaining high standards of production quality at Gleason Cutting Tools.

The ideal candidate should have strong attention to detail, and extensive knowledge of quality standards and inspection processes. The Quality Assurance Inspector will also support Quality Assurance (QA) activities of the company’s Continual Improvement, Environmental, Lean and Quality Management Systems (ISO 9001- 14001).

Quality Assurance Inspection

• Conduct visual, dimensional, and functional inspections of materials, products, and components to ensure adherence to specifications.
• Record and report defects, inconsistencies, and issues found during inspection.
• Ensure products meet the required functionality, safety, and performance standards.
• Metallurgical lab evaluations of returned tools
• Technical support for Sales, Design and Manufacturing.

Testing and Calibration

• Ensure the calibration and maintenance of inspection tools and instruments are functioning correctly prior to use to ensure their accuracy and reliability within the inspection areas.
• Continuously evaluate, standardize and improve QA processes, tools, and methodologies.
• Develop and enforce best practices for QA activities to ensure efficiency and effectiveness.
• Identify opportunities for cost reduction while maintaining high-quality standards.

Documentation and Reporting

• Maintain detailed inspection records and results.
• Document and report any defects or non-conformities.
• Investigate and analyze defects or quality issues to determine root causes and work with relevant teams to implement corrective actions.
• Provide feedback and recommendations to Supervision based on inspection results and findings.
• Working on MGR inspections within the metallurgical laboratory
• Generation of technical reports on tool evaluations and performance.

Collaboration and Communication

• Collaborate with production, engineering, and Supervisory teams to ensure that quality goals are met, and product delivery deadlines are adhered to.
• Communicate with stakeholders to address quality issues and provide updates on testing progress.
• Participate in design reviews, risk assessments, and root cause analyses to ensure product quality.

Compliance and Standards

• Ensure all products meet quality standards and comply with company, industry, and regulatory requirements.
• Stay current on industry best practices, certifications, and quality-related regulations.
• Conduct internal audits and support external audits when necessary.

Training and Development

• Share knowledge about testing tools, techniques, and quality practices with other team members.
• Provide training and support to new and existing quality inspectors to ensure they understand procedures, tools, and inspection methods and support ongoing development of the team

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Familiarity with inspection machines (CMM’s) & tools (Example-hand tools micrometers / calipers etc.) and methods of inspections for each product group.
• Comfortable with technical communications in a group environment.
• Able to maintain proper identification and control of all products within each inspection area and throughout the shop floor.
• Ensure all products are within the required specifications prior to shipment.
• Ensure all inspection machines are well maintained, calibrated and functioning.
• Able to properly re-route and print route cards for MGR’s.
• Communicate awareness and understanding of ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 policy statement(s).
• Communicate awareness and understanding of GCTC Lean Principles (GBP).
• Communicate awareness and understanding of GCTC Health and Safety requirements, including emergency evacuation and severe weather training.
• Demonstrate ability to use Microsoft Office 365 Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook) in the creation and maintenance of GCTC reports and documentation. Proficient in docuware & GCTC Intranet functions and dashboards.
• Trained/certified as ISO 9001 Internal Auditor (preferred).
• Trained/certified as ISO 14001 Internal Auditor (preferred).
• Demonstrate understanding of GCTC Continual Improvement, Environmental and Quality filing systems and the ability to accurately maintain files

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

Competency Statement(s)

• Accountability - Ability to accept responsibility and account for his/her actions.
• Accuracy - Ability to perform work accurately and thoroughly.
• Adaptability - Ability to adapt to change in the workplace.
• Analytical Skills - Ability to use thinking and reasoning to solve a problem.
• Assertiveness - Ability to act in a self-confident manner to facilitate completion of a work assignment or to defend a position or idea.
• Autonomy - Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Communication - Ability to communicate effectively, clearly, and concisely both in verbal and written format.
• Detail Oriented - Ability to pay attention to the minute details of a project or task.
• Ethical - Ability to demonstrate conduct conforming to a set of values and accepted standards.
• Honesty / Integrity - Ability to be truthful and be seen as credible in the workplace.
• Initiative - Ability to make decisions or take actions to solve a problem or reach a goal.
• Interpersonal - Ability to get along well with a variety of personalities and individuals.
• Judgment - The ability to formulate a sound decision using the available information.
• Loyal - The trait of feeling a duty to the employer.
• Organized - Possessing the trait of being organized or following a systematic method of performing a task.
• Patience - Ability to act calmly.
• Reliability - The trait of being dependable and trustworthy.
• Responsible - Ability to be held accountable or answerable for one’s conduct.
• Self Confident - The trait of being comfortable in making decisions for oneself.
• Self Motivated - Ability to be internally inspired to perform a task to the best of one’s ability using his or her own drive or initiative.
• Tactful - Ability to show consideration for and maintain good relations with others.
• Time Management - Ability to utilize the available time to organize and complete work within given deadlines

SKILLS & ABILITIES

Education

High School Graduate or General Education Diploma (GED)

Experience

(1- 3) years of Manufacturing Inspection / Quality experience. Knowledge of the manufacturing inspection techniques/ processes and inspection equipment (CMM’s) and auditing experience a plus.

Tools and Equipment: Micrometers, Calipers, Surface finish equipment, Optical comparators, CMM’s personal computer (Microsoft Office 365 Suite), and SAP business system.

Computer Skills: Proficient in (Microsoft Office 365 Suite). Preparation and use of spreadsheets, ability to use company Intranet to navigate and obtain specific information as applicable. Knowledgeable in the use of other office equipment such as copiers.

Other Requirements: This position requires that a certain level of confidentiality be maintained. Practice and follow the Gleason Business Philosophy (GBP) and be knowledgeable in the company’s ISO 9001 & 14001 targets, objectives and goals. Have a clear understanding of departmental work instructions and processes. Employee is required to learn, understand and practice Lean Manufacturing principles within our facility and be capable of moving freely throughout the manufacturing plant and office to perform assignments. Employee must be willing to attain ISO Auditor qualification, attend additional training as necessary, and project a positive image of self, department, and company.

The salary range in this posting depends on qualifications and experience. Actual compensation may vary, and this job posting is not necessarily reflective of actual compensation that may be earned, nor a promise of any specific pay for any specific employee, which is always dependent on relevant experience, qualifications/education, and other factors including work schedule, shift premiums, and overtime.

Gleason is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to age, disability, genetic information and/or predisposing genetic characteristics, marital status, national origin, race/color, religion, sex/gender, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, victim of domestic violence status, arrest or conviction record, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.

MANUFACTURING ENVIRONMENT

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job in a manufacturing environment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Employees are required to use proper lift assistance for any objects over 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job may include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job in a manufacturing environment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be exposed to moving mechanical parts; wet and/or humid conditions; high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; outside weather conditions; extreme heat; risk of electrical shock; and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, experience and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed. Employees are required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other duties requested by their manager or supervisor.

DISCLAIMER

The duties listed in this