Senior Quality Technician - FAI (Onsite)

Collins Aerospace; West Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 43,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

Collins Aerospace in West Des Moines, IA is seeking a Quality Inspector to complete, review, and track First Article Inspections (FAI), support documentation, and training. This onsite role requires a strong background in manufacturing quality and the ability to work with cross-functional teams.

You will interpret drawings per ASME Y14.5, apply GD&T, support PPAP/FAI processes, and help maintain the Quality Management System.

Qualifications

• HS Diploma or AA/AS degree with 4+ years of relevant quality experience in manufacturing.
• Experience with FAI or PPAP inspections.
• Ability to interpret technical drawings/reports and apply GD&T.

Responsibilities

• Complete, review, and track FAI inspections and turnbacks.
• Support FAI documentation and internal training.
• Assist quality engineering with customer approvals and FAI requirements.
• Maintain QMS documentation related to FAI and training.
• Support day-to-day quality deliverables: root cause analysis, calibration, tooling inspection, non-conformance handling.
• Build relationships with functional groups to meet business objectives.

Skills

Quality inspection

Reading blueprints

GD&T understanding

ASME Y14.5

Detail-oriented

Education

HS Diploma or AA/AS degree

Tools

First Article Inspection (FAI)

PPAP

Discus

Net-inspect

SAP/ERP

Job description

Location

US-IA-WEST DES MOINES-811 ~ 811 4th St ~ 4TH

Date Posted

2026-10-09

Country

United States of America

Location

US-IA-WEST DES MOINES-811 ~ 811 4th St ~ 4TH

Position Role Type

Onsite

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements

This job requires a U.S. Person. A U.S. Person is a lawful permanent resident as defined in 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(20) or who is a protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, U.S. permanent residents, or individuals granted refugee or asylee status in the U.S. are considered U.S. persons. For a complete definition of “U.S. Person” go here: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-22/chapter-I/subchapter-M/part-120/subpart-C/section-120.62

Security Clearance Type

None/Not Required

Security Clearance Status

Not Required

At RTX, the world's largest aerospace and defense company, 185,000 great minds are united by purpose and inspired to make a difference solving the world’s most complex problems. With our three market leading businesses, world-class operations and investments in research and development, we offer capabilities and opportunity no one else can. Together, we push the boundaries of known science and find new ways to connect and protect our world.

Collins Aerospace is a leader in technologically advanced, intelligent solutions that help redefine the aerospace and defense industry. With a comprehensive portfolio and deep technical expertise, we help customers meet the demands of the global market. Join us and help shape the future of aerospace and defense.

What You Will Do

• Complete, review, and track Customer First Article Inspections (FAI), including turnback resolution.
• Support internal FAI completion and maintain accurate documentation.
• Deliver and support internal and customer FAI/inspection training.
• Assist the quality engineering team with customer approvals and FAI requirements.
• Maintain and update Quality Management System (QMS) documentation related to FAI and inspection-based training.
• Support inspection training initiatives across teams.
• Identify and implement process improvements for FAI and inspection activities.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with key functional groups to achieve business objectives.
• Support day-to-day quality deliverables, including:
• root cause investigation
• calibration activities
• tooling inspection
• non-conformance control and documentation

What You Will Learn

• Customer Requirements and specifications
• APQP / PPAP
• Introduction to MRB with potential for PR
• Compliance

Qualifications You Must Have

• Typically requires HS Diploma or AA/AS degree (or other 2-year post high school training) with a minimum of 4 years of relevant experience
• Prior quality inspection or other engineering experience within a manufacturing environment
• Experience with First Article Inspection (FAI) or Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) Inspections
• Experience interpreting and understanding technical drawings/reports, manuals, and work instructions
• Understanding of Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T) in accordance with ASME Y14.5, with the ability to interpret, analyze, and apply tolerancing requirements to complex engineering drawings.

Qualifications We Prefer

• Working knowledge of ISO 9001 / AS9100 quality management system and FAI standard AS9102
• General knowledge of aerospace industry standards (such as NAS, AMS, etc..)
• Experience with SAP/ERP
• Experience with a variety of inspection tools
• Experience with Discus and Net-inspect Software
• Experience working with customer requirements
• Ability to track multiple activities at the same time with prioritization planning and projecting completion dates

What We Offer

Some of our competitive benefits package includes:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Three weeks of vacation for newly hired employees
• Generous 401(k) plan that includes employer matching funds and separate employer retirement contribution, including a Lifetime Income Strategy option
• Tuition reimbursement program
• Student Loan Repayment Program
• Life insurance and disability coverage
• Optional coverages you can buy pet insurance, home and auto insurance, additional life and accident insurance,critical illnessinsurance, group legal, ID theft protection
• Birth, adoption, parental leave benefits
• Ovia Health, fertility, and family planning
• Adoption Assistance
• Autism Benefit
• Employee Assistance Plan, including up to 10 free counseling sessions
• Healthy You Incentives, wellness rewards program
• Doctor on Demand, virtual doctor visits
• Bright Horizons, child and elder care services
• Teladoc Medical Experts, second opinion program
• And more!

You could be a great fit for our Quality organization if:

• You take immense satisfaction and pride in the quality of your work.
• You’re the first to point out opportunities for continuous improvement (even outside of work…not at all to the annoyance of your friends and family).
• You understand the absolute importance of adhering to compliance…all while making your customers proud by achieving a zero-defect quality delivery plan.

OK. We got it. You live and breathe Quality. So do we! For us at Collins Aerospace, quality is personal. People’s lives and safety depend on the quality of our products. From the child flying for the first time, to the men and women who save lives, to the astronaut exploring outer space – what we do matters, every day. If you checked the boxes above, we invite you to join the Quality organization as we work to be the best aerospace company for the world by delighting our customers with 100 percent on-time delivery and zero-defect parts.

Onsite

Employees who are working in Onsite roles will work primarily onsite. This includes all production and maintenance employees, as they are essential to the development of our products.

At Collins, the paths we pave together lead to limitless possibility. And the bonds we form – with our customers and with each other -- propel us all higher, again and again.

The salary range for this role is 43,400 USD - 82,600 USD. The salary range provided is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels. RTX considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, location, education/training, and key skills.

Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits, including but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, flexible work schedules, employee assistance program, Employee Scholar Program, parental leave, paid time off, and holidays. Specific benefits are dependent upon the specific business unit as well as whether or not the position is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement.

Hired applicants may be eligible for annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs depending on the level of the position and whether or not it is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and are dependent upon a variety of factors including, but not limited to, individual performance, business unit performance, and/or the company’s performance.

This role is a U.S.-based role. If the successful candidate resides in a U.S. territory, the appropriate pay structure and benefits will apply.

RTX anticipates the application window closing approximately 40 days from the date the notice was posted. However, factors such as candidate flow and business necessity may require RTX to shorten or extend the application window.

RTX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected class. RTX provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with a Disability and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.