Quality Tech

KINEMATICS LLC; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Kinematics is seeking a Quality Tech in Phoenix, AZ to ensure incoming materials meet specifications and that production processes stay in control through audits, inspections, NCRs, and verification of process controls.

Reporting to the Quality Manager, you will perform receiving inspections, conduct process audits, and assist with root-cause analysis to reduce defects and improve supplier performance. Equal opportunity employer.

Qualifications

• Technical degree or associate degree preferred; high school diploma acceptable.
• 1–3 years in quality inspection/auditing in manufacturing.
• Ability to read and interpret drawings with basic GD&T and tolerances.
• Use of measuring instruments (calipers, micrometers, height gauges, torque tools, go/no-go gauges).
• Nonconforming product control, traceability, and quality records.

Responsibilities

• Perform receiving inspection and documentation review per sampling plan and specifications.
• Identify and segregate material (accepted/rejected/quarantined).
• Create and follow up on NCRs for supplier issues and nonconforming incoming material.
• Maintain inspection records and evidence in accordance with control requirements.
• Conduct process audits to verify compliance with work instructions and control plans.
• Perform in-process inspections and first-article verification during changes and setups.
• Identify variation trends and coordinate containment and corrective actions.
• Support root-cause analysis and verify effectiveness of corrective actions.
• Promote quality systems and 5S; stop incoming material when requirements are not met.

Skills

Quality inspection

Reading drawings

GD&T

Documentation/records

Communication

Attention to detail

Root-cause / problem solving

CNC operation experience

Education

Technical degree

Associate degree

High school diploma

Tools

Calipers

Micrometers

Height gauges

Torque tools

Go/no-go gauges

Job description

Description

About Kinematics:

Kinematics creates motion control solutions for mission-critical systems in demanding environments. Based in the U.S. with six global manufacturing centers and seven service centers, we reliably deliver on diverse customer needs and have the manufacturing expertise to deliver any volume cost effectively.

For close to three decades, we have been innovating solutions and working closely with our customers to provide the most reliable, bankable drives across multiple industries. Today, with over 3 million drives and 1 million electronic controllers globally deployed, representing hundreds of millions of hours of operation, we are proud of our role in sustainably supporting critical applications across the industrial, satellite and solar sectors.

Kinematics was founded in 1996, has over 750 employees globally, is headquartered in Phoenix, AZ, with sales offices in North America and Europe, and manufacturing operations in the United States, China, Mexico, and Spain.

Job Title: Quality Tech

Reporting to: Quality Manager

Position Location : Phoenix, AZ

Position Description :

Ensure that incoming raw materials, components, and supplies meet specified requirements and that the production process maintains conformity through audits, inspections, nonconformance follow-up, and verification of process controls to prevent customer escapes and reduce rework, scrap, and variation.

Position Objectives:

• Incoming lots accepted vs. rejected (%).
• Receiving release/turnaround time.
• Supplier NCRs (count, severity, closure time).
• Process audit findings (LPA compliance).
• Scrap/rework attributable to incoming or process issues.
• Internal and customer escapes (PPM, incidents).

Qualifications:

• Technical degree, associate degree.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 1–3 years in quality inspection/auditing (incoming and/or process) in a manufacturing environment.
• Ability to read and interpret drawings, basic GD&T, tolerances, and specifications.
• Use of measuring instruments: calipers, micrometers, height gauges,torque tools, go/no-go gauges.
• Nonconforming product control, traceability, and quality records.
• Quality tools: 5 Whys, Fishbone/Ishikawa, 8D (practical level).
• High attention to detail and sound judgment for quality decisions.
• Effective communication with Production, Warehouse/Receiving, and Purchasing.
• Strong organization and prioritization skills.
• 2+ years of experience operating CNC or similar machining equipment.
• Ability to lift to 50Lbs loads

Responsibilities

• Perform receiving inspection (visual, dimensional, and documentation review) per sampling plan, specifications, and acceptance criteria.
• Ensure proper identification and segregation of material: accepted / rejected / quarantined.
• Create and follow up on Nonconformance Reports (NCRs) for supplier issues and nonconforming incoming material.
• Maintain inspection records and objective evidence in accordance with document and record control requirements.
• Conduct process audits (LPA / station audits / layered process audits) to verify compliance with work instructions, process parameters, torque requirements, set-up conditions, control plan items, poka-yoke/error-proofing, and traceability.
• Perform in-process inspections and first-article verification (FAI/First Piece), including at changeovers, lot changes, set-ups, and restarts.
• Identify variation trends and coordinate containment and corrective actions with Production and Engineering.
• Implement containment actions (hold, sorting, re-inspection, blocking) and ensure proper disposition of nonconforming product.
• Support root-cause analysis (5 Whys, Fishbone/Ishikawa, 8D) and verify corrective-action effectiveness.
• Contribute to reducing scrap, rework, and PPM through audits and follow-up of action plans.
• Identify recurring risks and propose improvements (standardization, training, error-proofing).
• Comply with and promote Quality Management System requirements (e.g., ISO 9001/IATF if applicable): record keeping, traceability, control of nonconforming product.
• Follow safety requirements and promote good housekeeping/5S during inspections and audits.
• Prepare information for internal/external audits and address findings related to incoming and/or process quality.
• Stop/hold incoming material or in-process product when requirements are not met.
• Request 100% inspection or temporary containment based on risk/criticality.
• Escalate quality risks that may affect shipments or the customer.
• Reject material/process per documented criteria and/or per approval of the Quality responsible.

Preferred / Additional Skills:

• Experience working under ISO 9000 or similar quality systems.
• Basic troubleshooting skills.
• Desirable: basic MSA, basic SPC, Control Plan, PFMEA (depending on system requirements).

Work Environment:

Manufacturing environment with exposure to machinery, noise, and metalworking fluids.

Requires standing for extended periods and handling of materials/tools.

Most of the work is performed while standing.

Wear PPE while is in the production area is required.

Equality statement: Kinematics is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status.