QA Manager/Sr CMM / VMM Programmer
Position Summary:
Responsible for leading the quality function to ensure products meet internal standards and customer/regulatory requirements. This role manages the Quality team, drives continuous improvement across manufacturing and inspection processes, and serves as the site subject-matter expert for CMM (Coordinate Measuring Machine) and VMM (Vision Measuring Machine) programming, operation, and measurement system capability.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Lead, mentor, and develop Quality personnel (inspectors, CMM programmers/operators, technicians), including training plans and competency assessment.
- Own and maintain the site inspection strategy, including first article inspection (FAI), in-process inspection, final inspection, and nonconforming material control.
- Program, operate, and optimize CMM and VMM inspection routines; validate new programs and ensure robust fixturing, probing strategies, and repeatability.
- Review engineering drawings/models and apply GD&T; translate requirements into effective inspection plans and CMM programs.
- Establish and monitor measurement system performance, including MSA (Gage R&R), calibration, and uncertainty/traceability where applicable.
- Drive root cause analysis and corrective/preventive actions (CAPA) for internal and customer issues; implement containment, corrective action verification, and effectiveness checks.
- Plan and execute internal audits; support customer, regulatory, and third-party audits as required; ensure timely closure of findings.
- Manage supplier quality activities (incoming inspection requirements, SCARs, supplier audits/scorecards) to reduce defects and improve on-time quality performance.
- Analyze quality data (scrap, rework, CP/CPK, PPM, Pareto) and lead continuous improvement using Lean/Six Sigma or similar methods.
- Maintain and improve quality documentation and systems (procedures, work instructions, control plans, inspection records) and ensure adherence across operations.
- Partner cross-functionally with Engineering, Manufacturing, Production Planning, and Customer Service to support new product introduction (NPI), process changes, and capacity expansions.
Competencies: To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following:
- Communications - Exhibits good listening to cell leads/shop programmers. Thorough comprehension of machining operations and technical drawings. Expresses ideas and concerns in written form using graphical representations of issues. Provides and presents that data to be used for purchasing, assembly, manufacturing process, warranty, and other processes withing the facility. Expresses ideas and thoughts verbally. Keeps others adequately informed. Selects and uses appropriate communication methods. Understands that what an operator at the machine needs to hear vs what production controller/sourcing manager needs to hear.
- Dependability - Commits to doing the best job possible and offers real time data to drive constant improvement. Following processes and voices concerns/intervenes when process will create potential issues. Keeping commitments to other departments follows up with actions that have been assigned. Meets attendance and punctuality guidelines regularly go above and beyond what’s required to set example within the QA department. Responds to requests for service and assistance. Take responsibility for your own actions and can admit when there was a better way or more research needs to be done.
- Planning & Organization - Integrates changes smoothly between internal and externally made parts. Plans for additional resources both with personnel and new tooling. Prioritizes and plans work activities on a daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly schedule. Sets goals and objectives for big projects. Use time efficiently. Maximizes use of time by decreasing CMM program times, editing programs as the CMM is running. Works in an organized manner as indicated by the structure of the CMM programs.
- Quality - Fosters quality focus in others. Improve processes. Measures key outcomes. Sets clear quality requirements. Solicits and applies customer feedback.
- Use of Technology - Adapts to new technologies as well as seeking out new methods to increase productivity. Demonstrates required skills needed to program CMM and VMM. Keeps technical skills up to date by updates and fluency of those updates within the different software that are used to complete daily tasks. Troubleshoots technological and warranty problems. Use technology to increase productivity by utilizing new features and best practices of the CMM and VMM software. Strong working knowledge of GD&T (ASME Y14.5) and ability to interpret engineering drawings and specifications.
- Lean Manufacturing – Exercises a commitment to driving value and eliminating waste.
Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:
- Education/Experience: Master's degree or equivalent; or four to ten years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Skills: Must know CMM (Coordinate Measuring Machine) and VMM (Vision Measuring Machine) programming, operation, and measurement system capability.
- Language Ability: Read, analyze and interpret business, professional, technical or governmental documents. Write reports, business correspondence and procedure manuals. Effectively present information and respond to questions from managers, customers, and the public in a knowledgeable way that reflects positively on the company. Also be effective in presenting goals to employees and coworkers daily.
- Mathematical Ability: Must be able to conduct all types of mathematical problems including the ability to calculate sample rates, defect percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry. Understanding machining principles, angles, cosine, drill points.
- Reasoning Ability: Solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Must have ability to visualize forward and backwards throughout the product process simultaneously. Can make sound judgement when unknown outcome may occur. Use historical information on topics to provide sound and logical opinion.
- Computer Skills: To perform this job successfully, individuals must have strong computer related skills including familiarization with word processing software, spreadsheet, and database software. MCOSMOS, MEASURLINK, SOLIDWORKS, CAT1000PS and 1Factory are used daily.
- Certificates and Licenses: MCOSMOS certification-ongoing technical learning.
- Supervisory Responsibilities: Directly supervises employees in department. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance, rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems; validating accuracy of labor hours and PTO.
Displays understanding and shows respect. Manages difficult or emotional employee situations. Meet commitments in a timely manner. Responds promptly to employee needs as well as other department needs. Drives employees to continually learn and improve technical skills within the field. Utilizes different motivational tools to increase morale within department.
Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee is frequently required to talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The above job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and standards of the position. Incumbents will follow any other instructions, and perform any other related duties, as assigned by their supervisor.
