Quality Inspector - SLA

Protolabs; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Flexible Spending Accounts

Health Savings Account

Dental and Vision

Life Insurance

Short-Term Disability

Long-Term Disability

Paid caregiver leave

PTO, Wellness, Holiday Pay, Volunteer

401k with company match

Employee Stock Purchase Program

Matching grants through Protolabs

Job summary

Proto Labs, Inc. seeks a Quality Inspector to ensure parts meet the highest standards of quality and precision. You will inspect complex parts, validate accuracy and appearance, and collaborate with production teams to resolve issues in a fast-paced advanced manufacturing environment.

The role emphasizes problem-solving, meticulous inspection, and adherence to safety policies. Shift: Wed–Fri 9 am–7:30 pm; Sat 8 am–6:30 pm; salary range $20.14–$24.90 per hour with comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum 6 months of Finishing or Solvents experience.
• Strong understanding of 3D geometries, materials used in technology processes and defects.
• Demonstrated computer aptitude with Windows OS, MS Office and calculators.
• Ability to follow detailed instructions from Supervisors/Team Leads.
• Proven ability to learn new techniques in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong attention to detail and precise movements for small parts.
• Excellent punctuality and reliability.
• Demonstrated ability to work safely with sharp tools and measuring instruments.

Responsibilities

• Inspect parts to ensure surfaces meet specifications and are free of damage.
• Conduct build briefings for geometry understanding and identify missing features/defects.
• Correct errors before lot proceeds, in collaboration with Shift Leader or Finishing Supervisor.
• Review paperwork and MES entries for Post-build/Pre-Cure/Finishing instructions and electronic records.
• Log issues and back up related teams; track errors and training needs.
• Understand how materials and processes impact part quality.
• Prepare inspected lots for Shipping department.
• Back up Model Finisher or Solvent Specialist as needed.
• Maintain a clean and safe work area and follow PPE requirements.
• Follow CoC’s and inspect parts returning from external vendors (DMLS Only).
• Follow safety policies and procedures in all work areas.

Skills

Finishing experience

Solvents experience

3D geometries understanding

Computer aptitude

Attention to detail

Punctuality

Education

High School Diploma 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.

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!

Shift: Wednesday - Friday (9 am - 7:30 pm), Saturday (8 am - 6:30 pm)

Help ensure every part that leaves Protolabs meets the highest standards of quality and precision. As a Quality Inspector, you'll play a critical role in validating the accuracy, performance, and appearance of innovative manufactured components before they reach our customers. Combining a keen eye for detail with strong technical understanding, you'll inspect complex parts, identify opportunities for improvement, collaborate with production teams to resolve issues, and help drive continuous quality excellence. If you take pride in problem-solving, precision, and being the final checkpoint in delivering exceptional products, this is an exciting opportunity to make a direct impact in a fast-paced advanced manufacturing environment.

What You Will Do

• Inspect all parts to ensure surfaces are finished to the required specifications and requirements, free of damage, warpage, distortion, or resin.
• Conduct thorough build briefings for each geometry to ensure a comprehensive understanding of part specifications and effectively identify missing features and defects.
• Ensure any errors are corrected before the lot proceeds to the next stage, collaborating with the appropriate Shift Leader or Finishing Supervisor as needed.
• Review paperwork and MES entries to ensure all Post-build, Pre-Cure, and Finishing special instructions have been completed accurately, and ensure the overall accuracy of electronic records for each lot in MES.
• Issue send backs to Model Finisher and log any issues to track errors, work quality issues, missed defects, and identify training needs, reviewing with the Lead or Supervisor as needed.
• Understand and apply knowledge of how different materials and build and finishing processes impact part quality.
• Prepare inspected lots for the Shipping department to take.
• Back up the Model Finisher or Solvent Specialist team as needed.
• Maintain a clean and safe work area and individual workspace and assist in general cleanliness and maintenance of the facility.
• Observe and follow all Protolabs Safety and Quality policies and procedures, including use of any required PPE (safety glasses, gloves, steel-toed footwear, etc.) and safety/compliance training.
• Identify any parts that have not been cleaned properly and review with the Lead or Supervisor (Solvent Lab Only)
• Manage storage and disposal of extra parts (SLS Only)
• Review all CoC's and inspect all parts returning from external vendors to ensure the requested work has been completed (DMLS Only)

What You Bring

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Minimum 6 months of Finishing or Solvents experience
• Strong understanding of 3D geometries, materials used in the technology processes and the defects associated with them.
• Demonstrated computer aptitude for working with complex database applications, including proficiency with Windows OS, Microsoft Office, and calculators.
• Ability to follow detailed instructions in various formats and take directions effectively from Supervisors and Team Leads
• Proven ability to learn new techniques, adapt to a fast-paced environment, and solve problems efficiently
• Strong attention to detail and ability to make precise, coordinated movements for manipulating small parts
• Excellent punctuality and reliability
• Demonstrated ability to work safely with sharp tools/objects (e.g., hobby knives, utility knives) and use measuring instruments like scales and calipers
• Ability to follow procedures for operating and maintaining a laboratory in a clean and safe manner, including wearing all required PPE (gloves, lab coats, etc.)

What Sets You Apart

• 1+ year experience in Finishing or Solvent department

What's In It For You

• We offer a competitive salary and total rewards package
• 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 + Wellness + Holiday Pay + Volunteer Hours
• 401k with company match and immediate vest
• Employee Stock Purchase Program at a discounted rate
• Matching grants through Protolabs foundation
• And More!

$20.14 - $24.90 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.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.