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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for CNC Quality Engineer

💰 $ - $

ManufacturingQualityEngineeringCNC

🎯 Role Definition

The CNC Quality Engineer is responsible for ensuring the consistent production of high-quality precision machined components from CNC turning and milling processes. This role combines hands-on metrology and inspection work with process engineering, supplier quality oversight, documentation control, and continuous improvement activities. The ideal candidate uses GD&T, CMM programming, statistical process control (SPC), and root cause analysis to prevent defects, drive corrective actions, and support production and engineering teams to meet customer specifications, PPAP requirements, and regulatory standards such as ISO9001 / AS9100.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • CNC Machinist / Setup Technician
  • Quality Technician / Inspector
  • Manufacturing Technician or Production Supervisor

Advancement To:

  • Senior Quality Engineer (CNC / Machining)
  • Supplier Quality Engineer / Manager
  • Quality Manager or Director of Quality
  • Process Engineering Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Manufacturing / Process Engineer
  • Continuous Improvement / Lean Engineer
  • Production Supervisor

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Lead and execute first-article inspections, first-article approvals (FAI) and PPAP submissions for CNC-turned and CNC-milled parts, ensuring dimensional and functional compliance to customer drawings, specifications, and engineering change notices.
  • Develop, validate and maintain CMM programs and manual inspection routines for coordinate measurement machines (CMM), including programming best practices, probe selection, and fixture verification to ensure repeatable metrology results.
  • Interpret engineering drawings and GD&T callouts to define inspection criteria, sampling plans, critical characteristics, and process controls for complex multi-axis machined components.
  • Establish and manage statistical process control (SPC) plans, including control charts, capability studies (Cp/Cpk), and corrective action triggers to monitor CNC process stability and capability.
  • Perform root cause analysis for nonconforming parts using structured methods (8D, 5 Whys, Fishbone/Ishikawa) and lead cross-functional corrective and preventive action (CAPA) implementation to permanently eliminate defects.
  • Author and maintain quality documentation: inspection plans, work instructions, control plans, inspection checklists, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) aligned with ISO9001/AS9100 requirements.
  • Conduct on-floor process audits and capability assessments for turning centers, vertical/horizontal mills, Swiss-type lathes, and multi-axis machining centers to identify opportunities to reduce variation and scrap.
  • Support process development: advise on tooling, fixturing, cutting parameters, coolant selection, and machine setup to improve part quality and throughput during new product introductions (NPI) and process transfers.
  • Manage nonconforming material disposition: quarantine, contain, document, and coordinate rework or scrap with production and supply chain to minimize customer impact and cost.
  • Train and mentor machinists, inspectors, and operators on inspection techniques, proper use of hand tools (micrometers, calipers, bore gauges), gaging, and measurement best practices.
  • Coordinate supplier quality assurance activities for outsourced machining operations, including supplier audits, capability studies, PPAP reviews, and corrective action follow-up to ensure consistent inbound quality.
  • Execute measurement system analysis (MSA) studies, gauge R&R and instrument calibration programs to validate the accuracy and precision of inspection equipment.
  • Lead continuous improvement initiatives (Kaizen, 5S, Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma projects) aimed at defect reduction, setup time reduction, and cost of poor quality (COPQ) reduction in CNC machining processes.
  • Collaborate with design engineering to resolve drawing ambiguities, tolerance stack-ups, and manufacturability issues, recommending design-for-manufacturability (DFM) improvements.
  • Create and maintain traceability records, inspection reports, and batch documentation required for regulated industries (aerospace, medical, defense), ensuring audit readiness and full compliance.
  • Use ERP and quality management systems (e.g., SAP QM, Oracle, Arena, MasterControl) to record inspections, nonconformance reports (NCRs), CAPAs, and supplier performance metrics.
  • Establish and track key quality metrics (PPM, DPPM, NCR rate, on-time acceptance rate, customer complaints) and prepare regular reports for plant leadership and customers.
  • Support customer quality initiatives, including on-site inspections, vendor audits, corrective action responses, and participation in customer-led quality meetings and supplier scorecards.
  • Lead root-cause verification trials and control plan updates when implementing corrective actions; validate effectiveness through data-driven follow-up and lowering of defect rates.
  • Develop and maintain inspection fixtures, gages and test methods for repeatable and efficient quality verification; work with maintenance and tooling departments to ensure equipment readiness.
  • Participate in new product introductions (NPI) and process qualification runs, authoring packaging, handling, and special process controls required to protect part integrity during production and shipment.
  • Drive cross-functional problem solving with production, maintenance, purchasing, and engineering to expedite containment activities and permanent corrective actions for critical quality escapes.
  • Analyze scrap, rework, and warranty data to identify systemic issues and prioritize improvement projects that deliver measurable reductions in waste and increased first-pass yield.
  • Ensure calibration schedule compliance and partner with metrology labs or third-party providers to maintain traceability to national standards for critical gages and instruments.

Secondary Functions

  • Support supplier development initiatives including capability improvement plans, training, and periodic re-evaluations to raise overall supply chain quality for machined components.
  • Participate in internal and external quality audits; generate nonconformance reports and follow through on audit findings to demonstrate continuous compliance with ISO9001 / AS9100.
  • Assist in ERP/MRP master data validation for inspection plans, gage lists, and inspection routing to ensure system data accuracy for production planning and traceability.
  • Provide technical input to purchasing for supplier selection criteria and create quality clauses and acceptance criteria in purchase orders for precision machined parts.
  • Contribute to risk management activities including FMEA for machining processes and help prioritize mitigation plans for high-risk features or operations.
  • Deliver training modules for new hires and ongoing upskilling in measurement techniques, inspection best practices, and quality systems awareness.
  • Maintain a library of inspection reports, calibration certificates, and quality records in both electronic and hard-copy formats for a minimum retention period as required by customer or regulatory policy.
  • Collaborate with CNC programmers and process engineers on process control parameters and machine capability to close the loop between program changes and inspection outcomes.
  • Support continuous data collection initiatives and adoption of digital inspection tools (portable CMMs, digital gages, vision systems) to improve measurement throughput and analytics capability.
  • Provide backup cover for the Quality Manager and participate in cross-site quality projects when required.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Strong knowledge of GD&T (ASME Y14.5) and ability to apply tolerance stack-up and geometric tolerancing principles to inspection and process control.
  • Experienced in CMM programming and operation (PC-DMIS, Hexagon, Mitutoyo) and manual/automated coordinate measurement techniques.
  • Proficient with statistical process control (SPC), capability analysis (Cp, Cpk) and software tools (Minitab, InfinityQS, Q-DAS).
  • Deep familiarity with PPAP, APQP, FMEAs, control plans and other automotive/aerospace quality methodologies.
  • Hands-on metrology skills: micrometers, calipers, dial indicators, bore gauges, optical comparators, height gauges and surface finish measurement.
  • Measurement System Analysis (MSA) and gauge repeatability & reproducibility (Gage R&R) planning and execution.
  • Experience with ISO9001/AS9100 quality management systems, internal/external audits, and corrective action management.
  • Skilled in root cause analysis techniques: 8D reporting, 5 Whys, Ishikawa diagrams, and verification of corrective actions.
  • Proficient in reading and interpreting mechanical drawings, blueprints, and CAD files; familiarity with SolidWorks or Creo a plus.
  • Working knowledge of CNC machining processes (turning, milling, multi-axis) including tooling, fixturing, feeds and speeds.
  • Familiarity with ERP/QMS systems (SAP QM, Oracle, MasterControl, IQS) to manage inspection records, NCRs, and supplier documentation.
  • Experience with metrology automation and vision inspection systems, and an understanding of statistical sampling plans (ANSI/ASQ Z1.4).
  • Basic programming or scripting experience for data analysis (Excel macros, Python, or SQL) is advantageous for quality analytics.

Soft Skills

  • Strong analytical and problem-solving mindset with ability to turn data into corrective action and process improvements.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills for clear reporting to leadership, customers, and supply chain partners.
  • Detail-oriented with high levels of accuracy and accountability for inspection results and documentation.
  • Collaborative team player who can lead cross-functional problem solving and influence without direct authority.
  • Project management capability to prioritize multiple corrective actions, audits, and NPI tasks to meet deadlines.
  • Adaptable and proactive in fast-paced manufacturing environments; comfortable on the shop floor and in meetings with customers.
  • Coaching and training aptitude to upskill operators and inspectors in measurement and quality awareness.
  • Strong time-management and organizational skills to handle concurrent inspection, documentation, and continuous improvement work.
  • Resilience and persistence to drive root cause investigations to closure and implement preventive controls.
  • Customer-focused mentality with an ability to represent the company during customer audits and technical reviews.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Associate degree, technical diploma, or equivalent in manufacturing technology, metrology, mechanical engineering, or related technical discipline.

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Materials Science, or equivalent.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Manufacturing Engineering / Technology
  • Industrial Engineering
  • Metrology / Precision Measurement
  • Materials Science

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 3 to 7 years in quality roles within CNC machining or precision manufacturing environments.

Preferred:

  • 5+ years as a Quality Engineer or Senior Quality Technician supporting CNC turning/milling operations with a track record of delivering measurable quality improvements, PPAP submissions, and supplier development. Experience in regulated industries (aerospace, medical, automotive, defense) and formal training/certification in Six Sigma, Lean, or ASQ certification (CQE/CQA) is a plus.
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