Quality Technician-Investment Casting

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.