Quality Engineer, Precision Machining — Inspection Lead

Vatn Systems; Bristol (RI); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Vatn Systems is seeking a Quality Engineer (Machining) focused on hardware inspection to serve as the measurement authority for precision machined hardware, both in-house and outsourced.

You will own quality processes, inspection strategy, CMM programming, and provide critical feedback bridging machining and mechanical engineering to align tolerances with manufacturing capabilities at increasing production rates.

Qualifications

• Expertise in GD&T with a strong focus on real-world application for shop-floor inspection and machining.
• Experience programming and operating Coordinate Measuring Machines.
• Extensive experience with precision machined components and tight-tolerance hardware.
• Hands-on inspection experience using a wide array of measurement tools.
• Ability to confidently interpret engineering drawings.
• Experience defining, scaling, or improving inspection processes for production.
• Strong problem-solving and communication skills.
• Experience working directly with machinists to define inspection and process controls.

Responsibilities

• Develop robust inspection plans for complex machined parts, including First Article Inspections and high-volume production sampling strategies.
• Perform comprehensive inspections on both in-house manufactured components and outsourced hardware from external suppliers.
• Program and operate CMM and other measurement systems to inspect high-complexity components.
• Define measurement approaches for tight tolerance features.
• Establish and document repeatable measurement methods across production runs.
• Review engineering drawings prior to release to identify tolerance stack risks, unclear/conflicting GD&T, and manufacturability issues.
• Provide GD&T guidance to the mechanical engineering team.
• Translate design intent into practical inspection and manufacturing requirements.
• Document non-conformances and out-of-tolerance conditions on outsourced parts, providing clear and actionable inspection data to drive vendor corrective actions.
• Define in-process inspection requirements within machining workflows.
• Advise and train CNC Operators on proper techniques for manual, in-process hand inspections.
• Identify and resolve sources of shop-floor variation, including tool wear, setup variability, and process instability.
• Lead root cause analysis for out-of-tolerance conditions on the floor.
• Establish tactical, machining-focused quality processes from the ground up (gauge control, inspection frequency, documentation standards).
• Interface collaboratively with the broader Quality organization, who handles overarching product QMS.

Skills

GD&T

CMM programming

Precision machining

Measurement tools

Drawing interpretation

Process control

Communication

Machinist collaboration

CNC basics

Supplier QA

Quality systems

Tools

Zeiss CMMs

Calypso

Multi-axis CNC

Job description

Vatn Systems is seeking a Quality Engineer (Machining) focused on hardware inspection to serve as the measurement authority for precision machined hardware, both in-house and outsourced.

You will own quality processes, inspection strategy, CMM programming, and provide critical feedback bridging machining and mechanical engineering to align tolerances with manufacturing capabilities at increasing production rates.