Quality Technician

Crane Company; West Caldwell (NJ); On-site; USD 46,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care

Dental

Vision

Life and disability insurance

15 days PTO

12 paid holidays

401k with company match

Education reimbursement

Job summary

Crane Aerospace & Electronics, located in West Caldwell, NJ, is seeking a Quality Technician to lead complex inspections and drive process improvements. You will mentor inspectors, verify assemblies against rigorous specifications, and support FAIRs while partnering with cross-functional teams on root cause analysis.

The role emphasizes training manufacturing operators, performing internal audits, and proactively addressing quality risks in a high-stakes aerospace environment.

Qualifications

• 1-7 years of manufacturing experience
• Knowledge of mechanical and electrical measurement tools or ability to learn
• Experience with process auditing and driving improvements
• Ability to interpret internal, customer, and industry specs and train others

Responsibilities

• Evaluate complex assemblies and end items for compliance with specifications
• Perform precise visual and physical inspections using advanced measurement tools
• Back up CMM programming duties and assist in FAIRs preparation
• Conduct internal audits and develop checklists aligned to process specs and procedures
• Identify defects, trends and corrective actions; assist NCRs
• Mentor operators and inspectors; support cross-functional process improvements
• Lead or participate in lean/quality initiatives and risk analyses
• Provide training on inspection methods and measurement techniques

Skills

Inspection skills

Process improvement

Coaching & training

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Associates or BA/BS degree

Tools

CMM programming

Job description

Crane Aerospace and Electronics has an exciting opportunity for a Quality Technicianat our West Caldwell, NJlocation.

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.

We are committed to operational excellence and world class processes. We employ Lean manufacturing techniques to optimize manufacturing efficiency and accuracy on all product lines. Our products are known for their technical strength, proven reliability and overall value.

In our efforts to maintain a safe and drug-free workplace, Crane Aerospace & Electronics requires that candidates complete a satisfactory background check. FAA sensitive positions require employees to participate in a random drug test pool.

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.

This description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work being performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

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.