CMM Quality Specialist - Aerospace

Job Title: Quality Specialist

Job Description

The Quality Specialist performs a broad range of quality assurance activities in an R&D environment focused on spaceflight hardware. In this role, you partner closely with engineers to support the inspection and release of purchased, machined, fabricated, and assembled hardware, ensuring it meets engineering drawings, specifications, and quality requirements before release to production. You conduct receiving, in-process, first-article, and final inspections, manage inspection priorities to support production schedules, and provide hands-on support to manufacturing. Success in this position requires strong attention to detail, excellent organization, adaptability, and a commitment to maintaining the highest quality standards in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and ASME Y14.5 GD&T requirements to verify hardware conformance.
• Review supplier inspection reports, material certifications, process certifications, and other acceptance documentation for completeness and accuracy.
• Document inspection results thoroughly and create accurate issue tickets, nonconformance reports (NCPs), and supporting records within quality, ERP, and manufacturing systems.
• Manage and maintain quality documentation related to nonconformance reports, receiving inspection, and in-process and final inspection activities.
• Work collaboratively with engineering, quality, manufacturing, and suppliers to resolve drawing, inspection, and hardware discrepancies in a timely manner.
• Help define inspection methods, critical inspection points, and detailed work instructions for complex spaceflight hardware.
• Plan and schedule inspection work in alignment with production priorities, supplier deliveries, and build needs to ensure conforming hardware flows efficiently to the production floor.
• Program and operate CMM equipment using PC-DMIS to inspect complex parts and verify dimensional and GD&T requirements.
• Perform receiving, in-process, first-article, and final inspections using CMMs and precision hand measurement equipment such as calipers and height gauges.
• Inspect machined parts and space hardware against engineering drawings, specifications, and quality requirements.
• Create, manage, and follow through on nonconformance reports and issue tickets, partnering with engineers to identify, document, and disposition nonconforming conditions.
• Provide flexible, hands-on support to production, including hardware verification, documentation checks, material movement, kitting support, and other priority tasks within your training and authorization.
• Support and uphold the quality management system by following established procedures and contributing to continuous improvement of quality processes.
• Contribute to document control and quality control activities related to spaceflight hardware, motion control systems, and associated components.

Essential Skills

• Proven experience performing quality documentation activities, including creating and managing nonconformance reports, issue tickets, and inspection records.
• Hands-on experience with receiving inspection, in-process inspection, first-article inspection, and final inspection of machined and assembled hardware.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and specifications, including ASME Y14.5 GD&T requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to perform CMM programming and operation, preferably using PC-DMIS, for complex part inspection.
• Experience inspecting machined parts and space hardware against engineering drawings, specifications, and quality requirements.
• Experience working within and supporting a quality management system in a manufacturing or R&D environment.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, and documentation skills to ensure accurate and traceable quality records.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with engineering, manufacturing, quality, and supplier teams to resolve discrepancies.
• Comfort working in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities while maintaining high quality standards.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with first article inspection and documentation, including familiarity with AS9102 requirements.
• in industries such as space, military, defense projects, commercial aerospace, robotics, new product development, or engineering.
• Exposure to spacecraft, space systems, spacecraft systems, and space hardware quality control and inspection.
• Experience with design and drafting concepts as they relate to quality and inspection requirements.
• Knowledge of document control practices within a technical or manufacturing environment.
• Experience with CMM inspection and operation using PC-DMIS; familiarity with tools such as PolyWorks is beneficial.
• Proficiency using precision measurement tools such as calipers and height gauges.
• Comfort working with motion control and electro-mechanical systems designed for extreme or hostile environments.

Work Environment

This role is based at a Pasadena facility that originated from a specialized space systems organization and now operates as a small, growing company of approximately 40+ employees. The environment is highly collaborative, with team members wearing multiple hats and embracing a problem-solving, flexible, and enjoyable culture. The organization focuses on motion control system solutions for extreme environments across the Solar System, including projects for low Earth orbit, lunar, Mars, and other deep space missions. The team prides itself on rapid response and on-time delivery, recognizing that orbital mechanics do not adjust to supply chain schedules. You will work closely with engineering and manufacturing teams in an R&D and production setting, using CMM equipment, PC-DMIS, precision hand measurement tools, and quality, ERP, and manufacturing systems. The company has a strong growth backlog with multi-year projects and multiple exciting space missions in progress, offering opportunities to contribute to challenging and impactful work while the organization continues to expand

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Pasadena, CA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $36.00 - $43.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Pasadena,CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 2, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.