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Location: Freeland, MI | Schedule: Full-time, on-site

Overview

A precision manufacturer producing aerospace-grade ball screws and precision-machined components is seeking a Quality Engineer to ensure the dimensional accuracy, performance, and reliability of flight-critical actuation parts. This role combines hands-on metrology expertise with shop-floor collaboration to validate machining processes, resolve nonconformances, and maintain compliance with aerospace quality standards.

What you'll do

• Perform precision dimensional inspections of ball screws, nuts, and related components using CMMs, optical systems, micrometers, profilometers, thread measurement tools, and similar equipment.
• Conduct in-machine inspection and measurement of parts while fixtured in CNC machining centers to validate tool offsets, critical features, and machining accuracy.
• Develop and maintain inspection plans, control plans, and first article inspection (FAI) documentation.
• Verify lead accuracy, pitch variation, straightness, runout, surface finish, and other ball-screw-specific characteristics.
• Collaborate with machinists and manufacturing engineers to ensure machining processes meet tolerances.
• Validate and monitor process capability (Cp/Cpk) for critical features.
• Support root cause analysis and implement corrective/preventive actions (RCCA/8D) for nonconforming parts.
• Review and approve work instructions, inspection methods, and process changes.
• Ensure compliance with ISO9001/AS9100, customer specifications, and internal quality standards.
• Prepare and maintain FAI packages, inspection reports, deviation requests, and quality records.
• Participate in internal and external audits, supplier assessments, and customer reviews.
• Work closely with design engineering to interpret GD&T, drawings, and tolerance stack-ups.
• Partner with manufacturing to optimize fixturing, machining strategies, and inspection workflows.
• Support supplier quality activities, including incoming inspection and supplier corrective actions.
• Evaluate and investigate customer concerns with limited or general supervision, acting promptly to address issues and proactively seeking guidance from quality management when needed.
• Review quotes and new purchase order contracts for quality requirements, providing input to internal departments to ensure timely communication of quality requirements.

Required qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant engineering field and 5+ years of quality engineering experience in aerospace, precision machining, or motion-control components.
• Strong proficiency in dimensional metrology, GD&T per ASME Y14.5, and precision measurement tools.
• Demonstrated ability to perform in-machine inspection and interpret measurements taken while parts remain fixtured.
• Experience with CMM programming (PC-DMIS, Zeiss Calypso, or equivalent) and manual inspection techniques.
• Understanding of ball-screw geometry, lead accuracy, preload, and mechanical performance characteristics.
• Familiarity with AS9100, AS9102, and aerospace quality systems.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including root-cause analysis and corrective action methodologies.

Preferred qualifications

• Experience with aerospace actuation systems or precision motion components.
• Knowledge of statistical process control (SPC) and advanced metrology techniques.
• Background in machining processes, CNC programming, or fixture design.
• Exposure to non-destructive testing (NDT) relevant to mechanical components.
• Comfortable working within ERP/MRP systems.

Why this role

This position offers the opportunity to combine deep metrology expertise with hands-on shop-floor experience, working on precision mechanical components used in flight-critical actuation systems.