Quality Technician-Investment Casting

SIGMA Engineered Solutions; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

SIGMA Engineered Solutions is seeking a Quality Technician to ensure product compliance and material integrity throughout the investment casting process. You will work with quality engineers and production personnel to perform receiving, in-process, and final inspections, conduct metallographic tests, and verify dimensional conformance using precision tools.

Responsibilities include supporting FAIRs, maintaining traceability, and assisting with internal audits to meet AS9100D and Nadcap

Qualifications

• 2+ years of hands-on quality technician or inspector experience in aerospace manufacturing, precision machining, or foundry environments.
• Ability to read and interpret aerospace blueprints and shop travelers.
• Knowledge of GD&T per ASME Y14.5.
• Proficiency with precision mechanical inspection tools and Excel/ERP systems.

Responsibilities

• Receiving, In-Process & Final Inspection: Perform visual, dimensional, and receiving inspections on raw materials and finished castings per drawings, PO requirements, and process travelers.
• Laboratory & Metallurgical Support: Prepare metallographic samples and perform hardness testing, grain size analysis, and chemistry verification under supervision.
• Dimensional Inspection & Gage Control: Operate precision layout and measuring equipment and perform routine calibration checks.
• First Article & Documentation Support: Assist Quality Engineers in gathering dimensional and material test data for FAIRs and customer quality packages.
• Non-Conformance & Traceability Handling: Identify, isolate, and tag non-conforming material and issue NCRs in ERP with full lot/heat traceability.
• Audit & Standard Compliance: Conduct internal process audits to verify operator compliance with standard work, AS9100D and Nadcap requirements.

Skills

Blueprint reading

GD&T knowledge

Precision inspection tools

Excel

ERP systems

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Associate degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Quality, or Metallurgical Technology

Tools

CMM

FARO/Romer

ERP systems

Excel

Job description

Description

The Quality Technician ensures product compliance and material integrity throughout the investment casting process. Working closely with quality engineers and production personnel, this role performs receiving, in-process, and final receiving/shipping inspections, conducts metallographic and lab testing, verifies dimensional conformance using precision measuring tools, and maintains shop-floor compliance with AS9100D and Nadcap requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Receiving, In-Process & Final Inspection: Perform visual, dimensional, and receiving inspections on raw materials (wax, slurry refractories, master heat alloys) and finished castings per customer drawings, PO requirements, and process travelers.
• Laboratory & Metallurgical Support: Prepare metallographic samples (sectioning, mounting, polishing, etching) and perform hardness testing (Rockwell, Brinell), grain size analysis, and chemistry verification (OES/XRF spectrometry) under supervision.
• Dimensional Inspection & Gage Control: Operate precision layout and measuring equipment—including height gages, micrometers, calipers, surface plates, optical comparators, and air gages. Perform routine calibration checks on shop-floor gages and measuring tools.
• First Article & Documentation Support: Assist Quality Engineers in gathering dimensional and material test data for AS9102 First Article Inspection Reports (FAIR) and customer quality packages.
• Non-Conformance & Traceability Handling: Identify, isolate, and tag non-conforming material. Issue internal non-conformance reports (NCRs) in the ERP system and ensure complete lot/heat traceability throughout post-cast operations.
• Audit & Standard Compliance: Conduct internal process audits to verify operator compliance with standard work instructions, AS9100D guidelines, and Nadcap special process requirements.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Education: High School Diploma or GED required; Associate degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Quality, or Metallurgical Technology is preferred.
• Experience: 2+ years of hands-on quality technician or inspector experience in aerospace manufacturing, precision machining, or foundry environments.
• Technical Skills:
  • Strong ability to read and interpret complex aerospace engineering blueprints and shop travelers.
  • Basic knowledge of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T per ASME Y14.5).
  • Proficiency in using precision mechanical inspection tools and standard office software (Excel, ERP systems).
• Vision & Physical Requirements: Annual vision screening required. Ability to lift up to 35–40 lbs safely.

Ideal candidate would possess the following qualifications. However, these are not mandatory for consideration.

• ASQ Certified Quality Technician (CQT) or Certified Mechanical Inspector (CMI).
• Prior experience in a precision investment casting foundry (working with ferrous and non-ferrous alloys)
• Experience assisting with CMM operational checks or portable inspection arms (FARO/Romer).
• Knowledge of AS9100D and Nadcap quality system documentation.