Quality Inspector III- Weekday Day

Protolabs; Brooklyn Park (MN); On-site; USD 30,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Flexible Spending Accounts

Health Savings Account

Dental and Vision

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Paid caregiver leave

PTO/Holidays/Volunteer Hours

401k with company match

Employee Stock Purchase Program

Matching grants

Job summary

Protolabs is seeking a Quality Inspector III to perform advanced inspections of manufactured parts and assemblies, ensuring adherence to quality standards, customer specs, and regulatory requirements. The role supports continuous improvement and drives consistent inspection practices across operations.

Shift: Monday - Thursday; 7AM-5PM. Responsibilities include dimensional and cosmetic inspections, process data entry, and coordinating corrective actions as needed.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent.
• Blueprint/CAD print reading and sensitivity to measurements.
• Mechanical aptitude with experience in a machine shop helpful.
• Strong teamwork and leadership basics.
• Detail-oriented with a sense of urgency.
• Capability to read 3D CAD models and use basic measurement tools.
• Willingness to work overtime and learn across departments.
• Clear communication in English; able to document findings accurately.

Responsibilities

• Perform basic to complex dimensional measurements and visual inspections.
• Verify part counts and packaging/fulfillment accuracy.
• Enter data into computer systems and document quality issues.
• Coordinate corrective actions with supervisors to complete orders.
• Assist in training and evaluating entry-level coworkers in inspection processes.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and well-organized work area with proper tool storage.
• Support expansion of department capabilities and process improvements.
• Communicate with Quality and other departments as needed.

Skills

Blueprint reading

CAD modeling

Mechanical aptitude

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Safety awareness

Communication skills

English literacy

Problem solving

Overtime willingness

Lifting 40 lbs

Education

High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent

Job description

Be yourself at Protolabs

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. We are an equal opportunity employer, and we are committed to building a diverse team that feels they are valued in the workplace. So do you feel you do not meet every single requirement but still intrigued? We encourage you to still apply! You can help make our company even better. We do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, age, mental or physical ability, or any way you represent yourself. We strongly believe diversity makes for more successful teams.

Why Protolabs?

We are the leaders in digital manufacturing. We hire doers, makers, and creative thinkers who tackle our roles with an entrepreneurial spirit. Our culture is centered around meaningful work that brings new and innovative products to market at unprecedented speeds. We are a diverse team that comes from all walks of life and take pride in our team who is smart, genuine, humble, and passionate about what we do. It’s our people who fuel our creativity and make our culture feel like home.

Join our team as a Quality Inspector III!

The Quality Inspector III is responsible for performing advanced inspections of manufactured parts and assemblies to ensure they meet Protolabs quality standards, customer specifications, and applicable regulatory requirements. This role serves as a subject matter resource within the quality team, supports continuous improvement efforts, and helps drive consistent inspection practices across operations.

Shift: Monday - Thursday; 7AM-5PM

What You Will Do:

• Conduct basic to complex dimensional measurements
• Conduct basic to advanced visual cosmetic inspections
• Conduct part count verification
• Inspect completed order for packaging accuracy
• Inspect completed orders for fulfillment accuracy
• Enter process information into computer-based data systems
• Identify quality issues relating to manufacturing processes and order fulfillment
• Interface with shift supervisor and/or quality control staff regarding order quantities and part quality
• Coordinate corrective action as needed to complete orders
• Transport parts to designated areas
• Obtaining knowledge and skills to verify the competency of the trainers who provide the primary education for entry level coworkers
• Communicate within and without the Quality department as needed
• Analyze, acquire, and provide feedback regarding, trend data, training received/given, and the inspection process
• Adhere to all quality and safety standards within the department
• Assisting in the delegation required to maintain, clean and organized work area with an emphasis on safety, quality, efficiency and utilization, and ensure all tools are properly stored and accounted for when not in use
• Continually seeking to educate others to improve their work processes and individual performance
• Provide guidance and assist in the adherence of all company policies and operational procedures
• Assist in the expansion of technical capabilities within the department with an emphasis on creating service opportunities for our customers
• Perform additional tasks as assigned

What It Takes:

• High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent
• Blueprint/CAD print reading
• Mechanical aptitude: previous experience in a machine shop, preferably with CNC machining is helpful
• Strong teamwork and foundational leadership skills
• Strong attention to detail and thoroughness is required
• Sense of urgency
• Navigate 3D models in CAD software
• Able to provide education and feedback to ensure others can comprehend and follow printed or on computer-screen directions, instructions, or education given from appropriate points of contact
• Following prescribed sampling plans to complete product inspection
• Able to obtain the skills to demonstrate the principles of basic measurement instruments such as scales, calipers, thread gauges, pin gauges, digital height gauge
• Able to assist in the acquisition and use of new measurement equipment and the evaluation of its performance
• Basic computer and calculator skills necessary; must be familiar with Microsoft Office programs
• Ability and willingness to work overtime
• Demonstrate the ability to obtain a technical familiarity of other departments and understand how they affect performance
• Detailed written and oral communication skills
• Able to read and write in English, and do basic arithmetic
• Able to work safely with sharp tools/objects, such as but not limited to, hobby knives, utility knives, diagonal-cutting pliers
• Good decision-making, follow-up, and follow-through
• Inclination to ask questions and learn
• Able to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented work environment and assist in the realignment when expectations are not met
• Must be punctual and have good attendance
• Customer focused
• Able to lift 40 lbs

Bonus Points For:

• Related experience with certification in assigned area preferred

What's In It For You:

• We offer amazing benefits including but not limited to:
• Health Insurance: Traditional OR High Deductible plan
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Health Savings Account (including employer contributions)
• Dental and Vision
• Basic and Supplemental Life Insurance
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
• Paid caregiver leave
• You will receive at least 3 weeks of PTO, Holiday Pay, and Volunteer Hours
• 401k with company match and immediate vest
• Employee Stock Purchase Program at a discounted rate
• Matching grants through Protolabs foundation
• And More!

$21.83 - $26 an hour

Protolabs offers a competitive total rewards package, and compensation mix vary based on position, such as base wage, as well as other earnings including incentives and commissions. Actual pay offered will vary depending on multiple factors which may include, without limitation, job function, work experience, specialized skills, training, education, and certifications.

Proto Labs maintains ITAR-compliant operations in all of our United States based facilities. Due to ITAR regulations, this role is only open to U.S. Citizens, lawful permanent residents (green card holders) or foreign nationals granted refugee or asylee status. Individuals with temporary visas (e.g. E, F-1, H-1, H-2, L, B, J, TN or OPT) are not eligible for hire in this role.

Proto Labs, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Physical Demands:

While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use a computer keyboard, monitor and mouse, telephone and printer; reach with hands, and arms, talk, see and hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, stoop or kneel and must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Work Environment:

Indoors (A/C); nonsmoking; the majority of this job function is performed in an office setting requiring normal safety precautions. However, there may be job duties that require the employee to spend time in the manufacturing areas exposed to machinery and noise; eye protection occasionally required. Occasionally works in outside weather conditions. Occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.