Technical Lead: FAI & Metrology for Precision Casting

SQA Services, Inc.; Blaine (MN); On-site; USD 76,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

SQA Services, Inc. is seeking a Technical Lead – First Article Inspection & Metrology to support two supplier readiness assessments at a casting supplier and a custom worm gear manufacturer.

The Technical Lead will evaluate FAI, CMM programming, GD&T, MSA, and calibration, contributing to the final assessment report. This onsite role requires travel to both supplier sites for two-day assessments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, metrology, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent education and 10+ years of directly related experience.
• 7+ years of dimensional metrology, quality engineering, or precision inspection experience.
• Hands-on CMM programming and program validation using PC-DMIS, Calypso, or equivalent software.
• Expert-level GD&T / ASME Y14.5 knowledge, including datum reference frames and translating drawing requirements into CMM alignments.
• Demonstrated experience preparing and reviewing AS9102 First Article Inspection Reports.
• Hands-on experience planning, conducting, and interpreting MSA / Gauge R&R studies using AIAG MSA principles.
• Working knowledge of calibration systems and measurement traceability, including ISO/IEC 17025 concepts.
• Ability to travel to and work onsite at both supplier facilities for the full two-day assessments.

Responsibilities

• Support Requirements Consumption Reviews (RCR) covering product definition, GD&T, critical/key characteristics, and inspection/test plans.
• Lead reviews of First Article Inspection Reports (FAIRs) for completeness, characteristic accountability, ballooning, and linkage to material and special-process certifications.
• Evaluate FAI trigger and delta-FAI practices.
• Review CMM programs for datum/alignment structure, GD&T interpretation, program validation, revision control, probe qualification, and operator competency.
• Evaluate measurement systems where CMMs are not used, including equipment suitability, resolution, gauging methods, and environmental controls.
• Review MSA / Gauge R&R studies for critical characteristics, along with calibration status, traceability, and recall controls.
• Evaluate commodity-specific measurement capabilities, including casting dimensional inspection and gear inspection methods such as gear analyzers, single-/double-flank roll testing, and contact-pattern checks.
• Identify and assess FAI and measurement-system gaps based on risk to product specifications.
• Provide technical findings and report sections to the SQA commodity SME for the consolidated assessment report.

Skills

Dimensional metrology

Quality engineering

Precision inspection

CMM programming

GD&T / ASME Y14.5

AS9102 / FAI

MSA / Gauge R&R

Calibration systems

ISO/IEC 17025 concepts

Travel onsite

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering/metrology or related; or equivalent +10+ yrs exp

Tools

PC-DMIS

Calypso

Job description

SQA Services, Inc. is seeking a Technical Lead – First Article Inspection & Metrology to support two supplier readiness assessments at a casting supplier and a custom worm gear manufacturer.

The Technical Lead will evaluate FAI, CMM programming, GD&T, MSA, and calibration, contributing to the final assessment report. This onsite role requires travel to both supplier sites for two-day assessments.