Tooling Inspector

Overview

Responsible for end-to-end verification and validation of aerospace tooling-from design and fabrication oversight to final inspections. Collaborates with cross-functional teams to ensure tooling meets strict quality, safety, and regulatory standards. Maintains production flow by confirming all tooling is precise, compliant, and properly documented.

Responsibilities

• Advanced Tooling Verification
• Review and interpret engineering drawings, 3D models, and technical documents to confirm design intent.
• Validate jigs, fixtures, and handling equipment for release into production, ensuring compliance with design specifications and aerospace standards.
• Metrology & Inspection
• Demonstrated expertise in operating Romer Arms, Leica Laser Trackers (401 and AT960 models), FARO arms, and other advanced measurement tools.
• Create and utilize inspection plans in Spatial Analyzer (SA) software, PolyWorks, or equivalent, to ensure consistent, repeatable measurements.
• Design Collaboration & Process Optimization
• Collaborate with Engineering, Manufacturing, and Quality teams to review tooling designs and conduct design-for-manufacturability assessments.
• Provide expert feedback during design reviews to refine and optimize tooling for efficiency, safety, and cost-effectiveness.
• Track and manage tooling builds from concept through final validation, ensuring all documentation is accurate and up to date.
• Documentation & Compliance
• Write comprehensive inspection summaries, technical reports, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for tooling use and periodic maintenance.
• Ensure all tooling documentation meets internal quality standards and external regulatory requirements (e.g., AS9100, customer specifications).
• Maintain data integrity in relevant systems, ensuring records are detailed, accurate, and readily accessible for audits.
• Risk Identification & Mitigation
• Proactively identify potential risks in tooling design or manufacturing processes and aid in developing mitigation strategies.
• Assist in root-cause-corrective-action analysis efforts for any tooling-related nonconformances, implementing corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
• Continuous Improvement
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives by analyzing historical inspection data to identify trends, recurring issues, and opportunities to optimize tooling designs.
• Champion best practices for tooling inspection and contribute to the development and refinement of quality processes.
• Planning & Organization
• Coordinate scheduling for periodic tooling inspections and ensure alignment with production timelines.
• Stamp, label, or otherwise mark tooling in accordance with regulatory and internal identification requirements.
• Maintain an organized record of inspection data, calibration certificates, and maintenance records for all relevant equipment and tooling.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education & Experience

• High school diploma or GED required; advanced technical coursework or associate degree preferred.
• Two or more years of hands-on experience with aerospace tooling design, fabrication, and inspection, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Technical Skills

• Metrology Equipment: Proficient with Romer Arms, Leica Laser Trackers, FARO arms, and other coordinate measuring systems.
• Software Proficiency: CATIA V5, Spatial Analyzer (SA), PolyWorks, Microsoft Word, Excel.
• Engineering Knowledge: Familiarity with design-for-manufacturability principles and stress analysis methods for tooling and handling devices.
• GD&T Expertise: Proficient in ANSI Y14 standards and geometric dimensioning & tolerancing.

Language Skills

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret technical procedures, engineering drawings, and regulatory documents.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to write detailed technical summaries and standard operating procedures.

Math Skills

• Ability to perform advanced arithmetic operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) including working with fractions, decimals, and geometry/trigonometry relevant to inspection.
• Experience computing rate, ratio, percentage, and interpreting visual data representations.

Other Abilities

• Detail-oriented, with demonstrated organizational and documentation management skills.
• Strong problem-solving approach, with the ability to adapt to changing priorities or urgent issues.
• Strong ability to work independently with minimal manager or team guidance.
• Capable of identifying, communicating, and mitigating risks in a proactive manner.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds.
• The noise level in certain work areas can be loud; safety equipment (e.g., hearing protection) may be required.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Travel

• Ability to travel up to 25% domestically and internationally to support tooling inspections, vendor assessments, or off-site manufacturing facilities.