Quality Lead

ACTalent; Elk River (MN); On-site; USD 41,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a hands-on Quality Lab Lead with strong CMM programming and metrology expertise to guide the lab’s daily operations in Elk River, MN. You will mentor technicians, manage CMM schedules, and ensure timely, accurate inspections across production and customer requirements.

This contract-to-hire role emphasizes leading quality initiatives, analyzing measurement data, and driving continuous improvement in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience with CMMs, metrology equipment, and dimensional inspection.
• Experience leading or mentoring technicians in a manufacturing or quality environment.
• Strong understanding of Measurement Systems Analysis (MSA) and quality control principles.
• Hands-on experience with portable arm CMMs, scanners, and measurement software.
• Ability to interpret drawings, specifications, and inspection requirements.
• Strong troubleshooting, problem-solving, and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day operations of the quality lab and ensure inspections are completed on time.
• Manage CMM schedules to support production and customer requirements.
• Supervise, coach, and train laboratory technicians on equipment, procedures, and quality standards.
• Perform and oversee dimensional inspections using CMMs, portable arms, scanners, and other metrology tools.
• Analyze measurement data and support root cause investigations for quality issues.
• Maintain quality records, inspection reports, and laboratory documentation.
• Troubleshoot measurement equipment and coordinate repairs, calibrations, and maintenance.
• Manage lab tooling, supplies, and instrumentation inventory.
• Support software updates, validation activities, and user training for metrology systems.
• Partner with engineering, production, and suppliers to ensure quality requirements are met.
• Identify and implement improvements to lab processes, tooling, and inspection methods.

Skills

CMM programming

Metrology

Quality systems

MSA

Leadership

Inspection

Root cause analysis

Troubleshooting

Cross-functional communication

Tools

CMM software

Portable arms

3D scanners

Job description

CMM Programmer

CMM Programming | Metrology | Dimensional Inspection | Leadership | Quality Systems | MSA | Manufacturing Quality

About the Role

We're seeking a hands‑on Quality Lab Lead with a strong experience in CMM programming, metrology, and quality systems who enjoys solving technical challenges, mentoring others, and driving continuous improvement.

What You'll Do

• Lead day‑to‑day operations of the quality lab, ensuring inspections and measurements are completed on time.

• Manage CMM schedules to support production and customer requirements.

• Supervise, coach, and train laboratory technicians on equipment, procedures, and quality standards.

• Perform and oversee dimensional inspections using CMMs, portable arms, scanners, and other metrology tools.

• Analyze measurement data and support root cause investigations for quality issues.

• Maintain quality records, inspection reports, and laboratory documentation.

• Troubleshoot measurement equipment and coordinate repairs, calibrations, and maintenance.

• Manage lab tooling, supplies, and instrumentation inventory.

• Support software updates, validation activities, and user training for metrology systems.

• Partner with engineering, production, and suppliers to ensure quality requirements are met.

• Identify and implement improvements to lab processes, tooling, and inspection methods.

What We're Looking For

• 3+ years of experience working with CMMs, metrology equipment, and dimensional inspection.

• Experience leading or mentoring technicians in a manufacturing or quality environment.

• Strong understanding of Measurement Systems Analysis (MSA) and quality control principles.

• Hands‑on experience with portable arm CMMs, scanners, and measurement software.

• Ability to interpret drawings, specifications, and inspection requirements.

• Strong troubleshooting, problem‑solving, and organizational skills.

• Excellent communication skills and ability to work cross‑functionally.

Work Environment

This role works closely with production in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment. The quality lab is a central hub supporting inspection, troubleshooting, and process improvement efforts across the facility. You'll collaborate with engineering, operations, and quality teams while helping drive a culture focused on accuracy, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Elk River, MN.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $30.00 - $38.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job‑related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre‑tax and Roth post‑tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long‑term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Elk River, MN.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 23, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Elk River,MN.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.