Manufacturing Quality Engineer I

Are you ready to collaborate with leading experts in optical engineering and contribute to the next level of precision and innovation?At Zygo, your skills and insights will be integral to our core values of curiosity, collaboration, and persistence. For over 50 years, Zygo Corporation in Middlefield, CT, has been a global leader in advanced optical metrology systems, ultra-precise optical components, and complex electro-optical systems. Join our team, where your expertise will help drive innovative solutions, solve complex technical challenges, and uphold the highest standards of precision, safety, and quality.As a Manufacturing Quality Engineer I, based in Middlefield, Connecticut, you will provide hands-on quality assurance, inspection, and metrology support to manufacturing operations. This role is ideal for a detail-oriented quality professional who enjoys working directly with advanced manufacturing processes while leveraging technical expertise to ensure product conformance, resolve quality issues, and strengthen manufacturing quality performance.You will partner closely with Manufacturing, Engineering, and Supply Chain teams to support inspection activities, improve measurement methods, drive corrective actions, and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives that enhance product quality, process capability, and customer satisfaction.Key Responsibilities:Lead incoming, in-process, and final inspection activities for precision mechanical, optical, electrical, and electro-optical products, utilizing CMMs, vision systems, and advanced metrology equipment.Develop and maintain inspection programs, measurement methods, inspection plans, and First Article Inspection (FAI) documentation to ensure product conformance and process capability.Support manufacturing quality operations, including MRB activities, nonconforming material disposition, calibration systems, Gauge R&R, and Measurement System Analysis (MSA).Investigate quality issues, perform root cause analysis, implement corrective actions, and partner with Manufacturing, Engineering, and Supply Chain teams to drive resolution and continuous improvement.Analyze quality data, monitor performance trends, support audits and quality system compliance, and contribute to initiatives that improve yield, reduce scrap, enhance process capability, and increase customer satisfaction.Key Requirements:5+ years of experience in manufacturing quality, inspection, or metrology within a precision manufacturing environment.Strong hands-on experience with CMMs, GD&T, dimensional metrology, and the interpretation of engineering drawings, CAD models, and technical specifications.Proven ability to investigate quality issues, perform root cause analysis, implement corrective actions, and leverage data-driven tools such as SPC, MSA, and statistical analysis to improve performance.Experience supporting manufacturing quality activities, including First Article Inspection (FAI), MRB/nonconforming material review, calibration systems, and continuous improvement initiatives.Strong communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work effectively across Manufacturing, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Quality teams; experience with AS9100, ISO 9001, Lean, or Six Sigma is a plus.Demonstrated ability and willingness to use AI tools to improve productivity, decision-making, work quality, and to reduce costs. The successful candidate must be able to identify appropriate AI use cases and critically evaluate AI-generated outputs.Bring your passion and commitment to Zygo, where we are curious, collaborative, persistent, confident, and problem-solvers — and where safety and quality guide every step of our journey. Grow with us as we solve complex challenges, inspire confidence, and drive excellence in manufacturing.Are you ready to expand the boundaries of possibility, simplify the complex, and embody the values that define our success?We welcome your unique perspective and invite you to join us. We offer competitive compensation, benefits, 401(k), and paid time off programs. Compensation and position level will be set based on experience.Due to the nature of Zygo’s programs and products, applicants must have the legal right to work in the U.S. and must be legally authorized to access export-controlled information and source code.