Quality Assurance Specialist II

Institute For Advanced Learning And Research; Danville (VA); On-site; USD 77,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

VRS retirement

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Medical plans

Winter break

Job summary

The Institute For Advanced Learning And Research in Danville, VA, is seeking a Quality Specialist II to serve as the key metrology resource within CMA. This role focuses on inspections, data analysis, and supporting ISO quality programs for defense and industrial applications.

You will collaborate with CNC machinists and engineers, perform dimensional inspections with CMM and scanning tools, and ensure compliance with ITAR, CUI, and customer requirements while driving continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in Quality, Engineering, Manufacturing, Metrology, or related field.
• At least three years of quality assurance, quality control, inspection, or metrology experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience performing dimensional inspection and reading engineering drawings, specifications, tolerances, and inspection requirements.
• Working knowledge of CNC machining processes and manufacturing quality‑control methods.
• Proficiency with quality data collection, analysis, reporting, and recordkeeping.
• Knowledge of ISO-based quality processes and procedures and their application in manufacturing.
• Strong attention to detail, problem‑solving ability, communication skills, and commitment to high‑quality standards.

Responsibilities

• Perform dimensional inspections and quality checks on machined and manufactured parts using CMM, scanning, and other advanced metrology equipment.
• Collect, analyze, and maintain data related to inspections, calibration compliance, nonconformances, and quality documentation.
• Develop and maintain systems for tracking quality metrics, performance indicators, and recurring quality issues.
• Generate detailed inspection and quality reports, document deviations, and recommend corrective actions.
• Ensure manufacturing processes and documentation comply with ITAR, CUI, export-control, customer, and organizational requirements.
• Maintain processes and procedures required by the CMA Quality Management System and support ISO compliance activities.
• Participate as an internal auditor and contribute to internal quality teams, corrective actions, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Provide technical quality support to CNC machinists and other manufacturing employees to troubleshoot part-quality and process issues.
• Collaborate with CMA employees and partner companies to resolve quality concerns and improve machining, additive manufacturing, and metrology processes.
• Support calibration control, record retention, audit preparation, customer visits, and quality-related reporting.

Skills

Quality assurance

Dimensional inspection

CNC knowledge

ISO quality processes

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Education

Associate degree in Quality, Engineering, Manufacturing, Metrology, or related field

Tools

CMM programming

Metrology equipment

Scanning equipment

Job description

Job Details: Job Location: IALR CMA - Danville, VA, Position Type: Full Time, Education Level: 2 Year Degree, Salary Range: $77000.00 - $85000.00Salary/year, Travel Percentage: Up to 25%, Job Shift: Day, Job Category: Manufacturing, This position requires eligibility to access controlled unclassified information (CUI) and export controlled data. Candidates must meet applicable federal requirements, including U.S. person status where required. This role is onsite in Danville, VA.

The Pay, Perks, & Benefits

• Annual salary: $77,000 - $85,000. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience and determined based on market benchmarks and internal equity.
• Virginia Retirement System (VRS) retirement benefits with employer match.
• Vacation, paid sick leave, and paid family leave after one year.
• Paid holidays, including a two-week paid winter break.
• Anthem PPO and HSA medical plans with excellent dental options.

What You Will Do

The Quality Specialist II functions as the key metrology resource within the Center for Manufacturing Advancement (CMA), an ISO 9001:2015-certified precision machining facility specializing in first-article development, prototype manufacturing, and complex low-volume production. As part of the Navy’s Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence (AMCOE), the CMA supports advanced subtractive manufacturing and metrology analysis for critical defense and industrial applications. The Quality Specialist II serves as a key partner to the Subtractive Manufacturing team, coordinating inspections, managing measurement data, and communicating quality requirements in alignment with production priorities. This role also acts as a primary interface with internal customers, providing metrology expertise and quality insights that support both current manufacturing activities and future part planning. In this role, you will perform physical measurement and scanning, capture and analyze quality data, maintain accurate records, support regulatory and quality-system compliance, and help ensure manufactured parts meet customer and program requirements.

Responsibilities will include:

• Perform dimensional inspections and quality checks on machined and manufactured parts using CMM, scanning, and other advanced metrology equipment.
• Collect, analyze, and maintain data related to inspections, calibration compliance, nonconformances, and quality documentation.
• Develop and maintain systems for tracking quality metrics, performance indicators, and recurring quality issues.
• Generate detailed inspection and quality reports, document deviations, and recommend corrective actions.
• Ensure manufacturing processes and documentation comply with ITAR, CUI, export-control, customer, and organizational requirements.
• Maintain processes and procedures required by the CMA Quality Management System and support ISO compliance activities.
• Participate as an internal auditor and contribute to internal quality teams, corrective actions, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Provide technical quality support to CNC machinists and other manufacturing employees to troubleshoot part-quality and process issues.
• Collaborate with CMA employees and partner companies to resolve quality concerns and improve machining, additive manufacturing, and metrology processes.
• Support calibration control, record retention, audit preparation, customer visits, and quality-related reporting.

How You Will Help the Team

• Provide timely inspection results and clear quality guidance to machinists, engineers, and operational leaders.
• Help identify root causes of quality issues and support corrective and preventive actions.
• Promote consistent use of quality procedures, inspection methods, and documentation standards.
• Use quality data to identify trends and recommend practical improvements to processes and controls.
• Help prepare the team for internal, customer, ISO, and regulatory audits.
• Share metrology and quality knowledge through coaching, cross-training, and day-to-day technical support.

Qualifications: Your Knowledge and Expertise

You bring hands‑on manufacturing quality experience, strong attention to detail, and the judgment to independently evaluate parts, records, and processes in a regulated production environment.

Required Qualifications

• Associate degree in Quality, Engineering, Manufacturing, Metrology, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• At least three years of quality assurance, quality control, inspection, or metrology experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience performing dimensional inspection and interpreting engineering drawings, specifications, tolerances, and inspection requirements.
• Working knowledge of CNC machining processes and manufacturing quality‑control methods.
• Proficiency with quality data collection, analysis, reporting, and recordkeeping.
• Knowledge of ISO-based quality processes and procedures and their application in manufacturing.
• Strong attention to detail, problem‑solving ability, communication skills, and commitment to high‑quality standards.
• Ability to work effectively with machinists, engineers, operations personnel, customers, and cross‑functional teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience operating and programming CMM, scanning, or other advanced metrology equipment.
• Experience in an ITAR‑controlled, CUI, defense, aerospace, naval, or similarly regulated manufacturing environment.
• Experience supporting an ISO 9001 or AS9100 quality management system.
• Internal auditor training or experience participating in internal quality audits.
• Experience with calibration systems, nonconformance reporting, root‑cause analysis, and corrective‑action methods.

What Makes Working Here Different

You will work in an advanced manufacturing environment where metrology, machining, engineering, quality, workforce development, and industry partnerships come together. Your work will directly support customer commitments and manufacturing activities associated with the Navy Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence. You will have the opportunity to strengthen quality systems, support highly technical manufacturing work, and help CMA and its partners deliver precise, reliable results. This position works in a machining environment that may involve noise, dust, varying temperatures, occasional lifting, and required use of personal protective equipment. The role is not eligible for flex‑location or flex‑hours arrangements. Standard IALR hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday; work outside normal operating hours may be required based on business needs.

Equal Opportunity Employer. We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status.