Quality Control Technician

Ultimate Staffing; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

Ultimate Staffing is hiring an Incoming Quality Control Technician for a 100% onsite role at our customer's site in San Jose, CA. Shift 1 runs Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–5:30 PM, a 6-month assignment with potential extension.

The ideal candidate will perform visual and dimensional inspections, operate optical microscopy and standard metrology tools, and document results for technical review. Responsibilities include nonconformance handling, data entry, and clear communication with engineers and

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Associate degree or technical certificate in engineering tech, metrology, manufacturing, materials science, or related field preferred.
• 2+ years in incoming inspection, quality control, metrology, manufacturing, microscopy, or analytical lab environment.

Responsibilities

• Perform incoming visual and dimensional inspections of purchased parts, materials, assemblies, and samples.
• Operate optical microscopy and metrology equipment (calipers, micrometers, height gauges, bore gauges, dial indicators, surface plates).
• Conduct First Article/new-part inspections and document results.

Skills

Detail oriented

Inspection

Documentation

Communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate degree or technical certificate (preferred)

Tools

Optical microscopy

Calipers

Micrometers

Height gauges

Surface plates

CMM (as trained)

Job description

Ultimate Staffing is hiring for IQC Technicians to work a 100% onsite at our customer's site located in San Jose CA.

Shift 1: Monday-Friday, 9:00 A.M.-5:30 P.M. 6 Month Assignment (Might be a possibility of extending)

Actual shift may change based on evolving team needs and the selected candidate's skill set. Shift flexibility may be required during the initial training period.

Position Summary

We are seeking a diligent and detail-oriented Incoming Quality Control Technician to support incoming material inspection, microscopy-based evaluation, process development, quality control, and failure analysis activities. This technician will perform visual and dimensional inspections of purchased parts, materials, assemblies, and samples to verify conformance to approved drawings, specifications, procedures, and inspection plans before release for production use. The ideal candidate works safely and independently, maintains accurate records, communicates clearly, and consistently delivers reliable results in a high-volume technical environment.

Responsibilities

• Perform incoming visual and dimensional inspections of purchased parts, materials, assemblies, and samples in accordance with approved procedures, specifications, drawings, and inspection plans.
• Operate optical microscopy and standard metrology equipment such as calipers, micrometers, height gauges, bore gauges, dial indicators, surface plates, and optical comparators, as trained and qualified.
• Conduct First Article or new-part inspections under established procedures and document results for technical review.
• Prepare samples and inspection fixtures; enter, review, and upload inspection data, images, and supporting documentation into approved quality, laboratory, or ERP systems.
• Record inspection results, maintain inspection history files, and support material release or hold transactions according to established procedures and authorization levels.
• Identify nonconforming material, preserve traceability, prevent mix-ups or damage, and initiate or support nonconformance documentation for technical disposition.
• Monitor and record key process or test parameters and apply sound troubleshooting and critical-thinking skills to deliver repeatable, reliable results.
• Communicate inspection findings to engineers, quality partners, and operations personnel.
• Maintain clear shift passdowns, laboratory notebooks, equipment logs, calibration-status awareness, and organized work areas.
• Follow all safety, chemical handling, hazardous waste, contamination-control, and material-handling procedures.
• Support changing Manufacturing, R&D, and laboratory priorities while meeting quality, throughput, and turnaround expectations.
• High school diploma or equivalent required; associate degree or technical certificate in engineering technology, metrology, manufacturing, materials science, laboratory science, or a related field preferred.
• At least 2 years of combined relevant education and hands‑on experience in incoming inspection, quality control, metrology, manufacturing, microscopy, or an analytical laboratory environment.
• Experience reading technical drawings, specifications, tolerances, and inspection instructions.
• Experience with chemical handling, sample preparation, and hazardous waste disposal, with knowledge of safe laboratory practices.
• Ability to use computer-based quality systems, laboratory databases, ERP systems, and Microsoft Office applications for data entry and documentation.
• Ability to work in a glovebox, dry room, fume hood, laboratory, or manufacturing inspection area as required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Careful, consistent, and detail-oriented approach to inspection, sample handling, data entry, and documentation.
• Ability to follow controlled procedures and inspection plans while recognizing and escalating abnormal conditions.
• Strong organization, prioritization, and time-management skills in a high-volume environment with changing priorities.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work effectively with engineering, quality, manufacturing, purchasing, and supplier-facing teams.
• Practical problem-solving skills and willingness to learn new inspection, microscopy, and metrology techniques.
• Ability to work independently while contributing positively to a collaborative team environment.
• Demonstrated reliability in meeting commitments, maintaining traceability, and protecting product quality.
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, initial training schedules, or overtime to cover business needs and shift gaps.

Physical Requirements

• Work may be performed in a laboratory, dry room, fume hood, glovebox, or manufacturing inspection area.
• Frequent use of fine motor skills and inspection equipment; ability to stand or sit for extended periods and perform reaching and twisting motions with the hands and arms.
• Ability to safely lift and move items weighing up to 25 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to use required personal protective equipment and follow site-specific environmental, health, and safety requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a Li-ion battery, medical device, semiconductor, precision manufacturing, or analytical test laboratory environment.
• Experience with vision inspection systems, optical comparators, CMM equipment, or software such as Zeiss Calypso, Keyence, SmartScope, or equivalent platforms.
• Familiarity with nonconformance workflows, material traceability, inspection sampling plans, and Good Manufacturing Practices.
• Experience with analytical methods or sample-preparation techniques such as ion milling, XCT, XRD, ICP, XPS, or titration.
• Experience preparing samples in an inert environment, including glovebox operation and dry rooms.
• Familiarity with measurement system analysis (MSA), JMP, SAP, 1Factory, or comparable quality and ERP systems.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, age, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, or military or veteran status. We consider all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with state and local laws, including the California Fair Chance Act, City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, and San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.