Aerospace Quality Inspector

Job Description

Job Description

About RTCA:

RTCA is a precision aerospace and defense manufacturing group built on decades of hands-on machining expertise, with roots spanning more than 50 years. We support mission-critical commercial and government aerospace programs across North America through four U.S. Centers of Excellence operating as an integrated platform with 150+ CNC machines and a team of 250+ professionals.

Unlike large organizations where roles can be narrow, RTCA offers hands-on ownership and real visibility – you understand how your work supports the team, the operation, and the end customer. Our flat structure allows employees to take initiative, grow their skills, and have their contributions recognized, while still providing the stability, advanced technology, and meaningful work of an established aerospace manufacturer.

At RTCA, we believe in teamwork, excellence, and delivering with pride. One Team! One Mission!

How You’ll Make an Impact

The Quality Inspector plays a critical role in ensuring aerospace components meet engineering, quality, and customer requirements. This is a hands-on dimensional inspection role supporting incoming, in-process, and final inspection, including sign-offs directly on the production floor. Strong conventional inspection skills and knowledge of GD&T are important for success in this role. CMM experience is a plus, but not required—we can provide training on our Zeiss CMMs using Calypso software.

What you’ll be doing as a Quality Inspector:

• Work a full-time, onsite position at our Rockford, MI facility.

• Perform dimensional inspection of precision-machined aerospace components using calipers, micrometers, height gages, bore gages, and other precision measuring equipment.

• Support incoming, in-process, and final inspection activities.

• Perform first-part buy-offs and in-process sign-offs directly on the production floor, working closely with machinists and manufacturing personnel.

• Read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and ASME Y14.5 GD&T requirements.

• Identify and document nonconforming product and communicate inspection findings to Manufacturing and Quality.

• Support First Article Inspection (FAI) activities and related inspection documentation.

• Operate and, based on experience, assist with programming Zeiss CMMs using Calypso software.

• Maintain accurate inspection records and quality documentation.

• Work cross-functionally with Manufacturing and Engineering to help troubleshoot dimensional or inspection-related issues and support process improvements.

• Support continuous improvement initiatives and follow all applicable safety and quality requirements.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications (Education, Skills, and Experience):

• Hands-on dimensional inspection experience using precision measuring equipment such as calipers, micrometers, height gages, and bore gages.

• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, and GD&T.

• Knowledge of dimensional inspection techniques and precision measuring practices.

• Experience completing inspection records and quality documentation.

• Strong attention to detail and ability to identify dimensional or quality concerns.

• Ability to work collaboratively with Quality, Manufacturing, and Engineering teams.

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Preferred Qualifications (Education, Skills, and Experience):

• Previous quality inspection experience in aerospace, precision machining, or a similar manufacturing environment.

• Experience operating or programming CMM equipment; Zeiss and Calypso experience is a plus.

• Experience with First Article Inspection (FAI) requirements, including AS9102.

• Familiarity with CNC machining processes and performing in-process inspections on the production floor.

• Experience working with Engineering or Manufacturing teams to troubleshoot dimensional and quality issues.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and MRP/ERP systems.

Physical Demands :

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to do the following:

• Ability to lift or move up to 50lbs.
• Reach forward, up, down and to the side in order to move equipment.
• Continuous standing and walking throughout the workday.
• Ability to reach with hands and arms; use hands to manipulate, handle, or feel material.
• Access, input, and retrieve information from a computer.

Work Environment:

A large percentage of work time is spent in a machine shop where temperatures vary from hot to cold. The environment may also include exposure to noise, dust, fumes, vapor from coolant, etc. Industry standard safety equipment is provided by the Company, and specific notice is posted in areas where safety equipment is required.

Employee Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, long-term disability and 401(k) with up to 6% QACA company match.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

This position must meet Export Control compliance requirements, therefore a “US Person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.15 is required.

RTCA is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex including sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Affirmative Action and Disability Accommodation Applicants wishing to receive information on RTCA’s Affirmative Action Plans, or applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application and/or interview process, please contact the RTCA Human Resources Department. If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request an accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our career center as a result of your disability. To request an accommodation, contact the RTCA Human Resources Department. Candidates will receive consideration without discrimination in accordance with the requirements of article 9 to chapter XVIII of the City of Los Angeles Municipal Code, federal and state laws of California.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request an accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our career center as a result of your disability. To request an accommodation, contact the Human Resources Department.