Quality Technician

350 Merrimac Industries, Inc.; West Caldwell (NJ); On-site; USD 95,053,000 - 115,534,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care, dental, vision, life and,

Disability insurance

401k with company match

Education reimbursement

Paid time off and holidays

Job summary

Crane Aerospace & Electronics in West Caldwell, NJ is seeking a Quality Technician to lead advanced inspections and QA activities. The role involves verifying assemblies to strict specifications, mentoring staff, and supporting continuous improvement initiatives.

The position requires 1–7 years in manufacturing, knowledge of measurement tools, and the ability to learn CMM programming. ITAR compliance and security clearances may apply.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; associate or bachelor degree preferred.
• 1–7 years in a manufacturing environment with quality control exposure.
• Knowledge of mechanical and electrical measurement tools or ability to learn.
• Certifications (IPC‑A‑600, J‑STD‑001, or CMM programming) are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex inspections and assess compliance to specifications.
• Support process improvements and drive corrective actions.
• Mentor operators, inspectors, and new technicians.
• Prepare and review inspection documents (FAIRs, NCRs).
• Conduct internal audits and assist with cross‑functional teams.

Skills

Mechanical and electrical measurement

Process auditing

Interpreting specifications

Mentoring operators

Quality inspection expertise

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Associate's degree

Bachelor's degree

Tools

CMM programming

Job description

Crane Aerospace and Electronics has an exciting opportunity for a Quality Technician at our West Caldwell, NJ location.

About Crane:

Crane Aerospace & Electronics supplies critical systems and components to the aerospace and defense markets. You’ll find Crane Aerospace & Electronics in some of the toughest environments: from engines to landing gear; from satellites to medical implants and from missiles to unmanned aerial systems (UAS). Every time you use phone navigation, make a bank transaction or have food delivered to your home, Crane Aerospace & Electronics Microwave product is hard at work. Located in the tight‑knit, family‑first West Caldwell, NJ., community, our West Caldwell facility supplies industry‑leading microwave components and systems for use in space, defense and commercial applications, including GPS III satellites. With more than 60 years of expertise, our Microwave group has proven capabilities in major military, communications, electronic warfare, radar and satellite systems. Start the next chapter of your career with Crane Aerospace & Electronics!

Job Summary:

The Quality Technician serves as a senior technical expert in inspection and quality assurance, responsible for leading complex inspections, driving process improvements, and ensuring the highest standards of product quality. This role provides advanced support in identifying workmanship and process issues, verifying assemblies against rigorous specifications, and mentoring operators, inspectors, and new Quality Technicians. Acts as a subject matter expert for inspection processes and supports process improvement initiatives.

Essential Functions:

• Evaluate complex assemblies and end items for compliance with all specifications and standards.
• Conduct highly accurate visual and physical inspections, utilizing advanced measurement tools and techniques to verify compliance with all specifications and standards.
• Receive training as needed to conduct Coordinate Measurement Machine (CMM) programming and back up duties for inspection
• Assist in the preparation, review and approval of First Article Inspection Reports (FAIRs)
• Perform internal audits to comply with internal and customer guidelines.
• Develop checklists to be used as guidelines for audits from process specifications, work instructions, quality inspection procedures, corporate procedures, and industry or military specifications.
• Evaluate products for defective or damaged components, accurate assembly, fit, adjustment, dimensions, locations, identifications, cleanliness, finishes, wire routing, encapsulation, and other conditions, pertinent to acceptable sub‑assemblies, assemblies, and end items.
• Observe work in process and determine compliance to operational guidelines specified in process specifications, work instructions, quality inspection procedures, and other internal and contractual requirements.
• Perform defect data sorting, reporting and trending functions to facilitate identification areas or trends requiring corrective action.
• Prepare NCRs or Corrective Actions as needed.
• Debrief appropriate levels of management from production leads to managers apprising them of acceptable and unacceptable activities and make viable recommendations for solution of problems when requested.
• Proactively analyze and communicate errors, systemic trends, and process risks to the quality organization; recommend and implement corrective actions.
• Lead or participate in cross‑functional teams focused on process improvement, risk mitigation, and root cause analysis.

Training:

Provide manufacturing operators and delegated inspectors with inspection skills, process measurement skills and serve as a resource for inspection issues. Train and instruct others in tactical processes.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Experience: 1-7 years of experience in a manufacturing environment
• Knowledge: Knowledge of basic mechanical and electrical measurement tools) or the ability to learn is desired; Knowledge of performing manufacturing process audits and feedback for process improvement
• Skills/Abilities: Understand, interpret, relate and instruct others on internal, industry or customer specifications which relate to products and processes which are performed and audited; Experience and/or training in process auditing.
• Education/Certification: High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Eligibility Requirement: This position may require access to Controlled Data or Information. Where the position requires such access only US Persons will be considered. As a US Department of Defense contractor, we are bound by International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience preparing and analyzing microsection samples of printed circuit boards
• Advanced certifications relevant to the role (e.g., IPC-A-600, J-STD-001, CMM programming, advanced inspection techniques).
• Prior work as a technician, quality inspector, supervisor, or senior production operator
• Associates of Science degree or BA, BS degree

Working Conditions:

Working conditions are normal for a manufacturing environment Manufacturing operations may require the use of safety equipment to include but not limited to: eye safety glasses, gowning, masks, hearing protectors, heel/wrist straps and any other required PPE. May be exposed to unusual environmental conditions such as loud noises, hot or cold temperatures, confined spaces, dust or fumes. Flexible and willing to work overtime if necessary

• Standing: 30% *percentage is approximate and may vary depending on work task
• Sitting: 70% *percentage is approximate and may vary depending on work task
• Lifting (in pounds): up to 35 pounds
• Pushing (in pounds): up to 50 pounds
• Mental/Visual: the use of microscopes/magnifying, etc
• Workspace (line, cube, etc): Cubicle/line

Top Benefits:

As a team member at Crane Aerospace and Electronics, you’ll enjoy: Benefits: Health care, dental, vision, life and disability insurance starting the first day of the month Time Off: 15 days of paid time off that start accruing your first day at Crane and 12 paid holidays per year. 401k Retirement Plan: 401k plan with company match Education Reimbursement: eligible after 6 months of employment You can see a list of our benefits at https://www.craneae.com/company/careers or visit our website at www.CraneAE.com for more information on our company and great opportunities.

Salary range:

Salary range: $33.12 - $40.32 Several factors contribute to actual salary, including experience in a similar role or performing comparable job responsibilities, skills, training, and other qualifications. Some roles may be eligible for participation in performance‑based bonus programs.

Crane Company. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, general identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.

At Crane, we believe that attracting and retaining the highest quality people is the best insurance of success. Our goal is to recruit talented people and train them within a culture that calls for performance with trust and respect. Join us. The unique backgrounds and differences of our associates make us stronger, more capable, and more successful. Beyond an associate’s base compensation, we reward and reinforce wellbeing with a compelling package of both cash and non‑cash benefits, including comprehensive health, wellness incentives, assistance with retirement savings, paid time off, paid holidays, and tuition reimbursement — as well as performance‑based bonus programs for certain positions. Crane prioritizes career development for our associates. All associates receive an annual development plan that includes a mixture of on‑the‑job coaching and formal training experiences to support individual development needs. We firmly believe in associate growth that supports career progression and we will proactively support your ongoing career development.