Sr. Metrology Engineer

Vatn Systems; Bristol (RI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Vatn Systems seeks a Sr. Metrology Engineer focused on hardware inspection to serve as the measurement authority for precision machined parts, both in-house and outsourced.

You will own the development and execution of quality processes in the shop, including inspection strategy, CMM programming, GD&T guidance, and close collaboration with machinists and suppliers to ensure tolerances reflect true manufacturing capabilities and support rising production rates.

Qualifications

• Expertise in GD&T with real-world shop-floor application.
• Experience programming and operating Coordinate Measuring Machines.
• Extensive experience with precision machined components and tight tolerances.

Responsibilities

• Develop robust inspection plans for complex machined parts, including First Article Inspections and high-volume sampling strategies.

Skills

GD&T

CMM programming

shop-floor inspection

data analysis

interdisciplinary collaboration

communication

problem solving

machinist collaboration

Tools

Zeiss CMMs

Calypso software

Job description

As a Sr. Metrology Engineer focused on hardware inspection, you will serve as the dedicated measurement and inspection authority for precision machined hardware, both produced in-house and outsourced to suppliers. You will own the development and execution of quality processes for the shop, including inspection strategy, CMM programming, and providing critical engineering feedback. This role operates directly within the machine shop environment rather than our broader QMS team. You will bridge the gap between machining and mechanical engineering to ensure part designs, tolerances, and inspection methods align with true manufacturing capabilities and support our rapidly increasing production rates.

Primary Responsibilities:

Inspection & Measurement

• Develop robust inspection plans for complex machined parts, including First Article Inspections and high-volume production sampling strategies
• Perform comprehensive inspections on both in-house manufactured components and outsourced hardware from external suppliers
• Program and operate CMM and other measurement systems to inspect high-complexity components
• Define measurement approaches for tight tolerance features
• Establish and document repeatable measurement methods across production runs

Engineering & Supply Chain Interface

• Review engineering drawings prior to release to identify tolerance stack risks, unclear/conflicting GD&T, and manufacturability issues
• Provide GD&T guidance to the mechanical engineering team
• Translate design intent into practical inspection and manufacturing requirements
• Document non-conformances and out-of-tolerance conditions on outsourced parts, providing clear and actionable inspection data to the Quality team to drive vendor corrective actions

Process Quality

• Define in-process inspection requirements within machining workflows
• Advise and train CNC Operators on proper techniques for manual, in-process hand inspections
• Identify and resolve sources of shop-floor variation, including tool wear, setup variability, and process instability
• Lead root cause analysis for out-of-tolerance conditions on the floor

System Buildout

• Establish tactical, machining-focused quality processes from the ground up (gauge control, inspection frequency, documentation standards)
• Interface collaboratively with the broader Quality organization, who handles overarching product QMS

Required Skill

• Expertise in GD&T with a strong focus on real-world application for shop-floor inspection and machining
• Experience programming and operating Coordinate Measuring Machines
• Extensive experience with precision machined components and tight-tolerance hardware
• Hands-on inspection experience using a wide array of measurement tools
• Ability to confidently interpret engineering drawings
• Experience defining, scaling, or improving inspection processes for production
• Strong problem-solving and communication skills
• Experience working directly with machinists to define inspection and process controls

Preferred Skills

• Experience specifically with Zeiss CMMs and Calypso software
• Familiarity with multi-axis CNC machining
• Experience evaluating supplier FAIs and partnering with procurement/supply chain teams to resolve quality issues
• Experience bridging mechanical engineering and manufacturing teams

Vatn is an equal opportunity employer.

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey.Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

As set forth in Vatn Systems’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

A "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.