Job Description

AUTOMATED GAUGING TECHNICIAN (CMM)

Department: Quality
Reports To: Quality Manager / General Manager
Location: Gaishin Manufacturing
Industry Focus: Aerospace, Defense, Medical & Precision CNC Manufacturing
Salary: $28-$40/Hour

Position Summary

The Automated Gauging Technician (CMM) is responsible for developing, operating, validating, and maintaining automated dimensional inspection processes used to verify complex, precision-machined components.

This position supports Gaishin Manufacturing's aerospace, defense, medical, and other high-precision CNC machining operations by translating engineering drawings, CAD models, Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T), and customer requirements into accurate and repeatable automated inspection routines.

The ideal candidate combines strong CMM programming and metrology skills with a practical understanding of CNC machining processes. This position works closely with Quality, Engineering, CNC Programming, and Manufacturing teams to identify dimensional issues, support process improvements, and ensure product conformity throughout the manufacturing process.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

CMM Programming & Automated Inspection

• Develop, edit, optimize, and maintain Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) programs for complex precision-machined components.
• Create inspection routines from engineering drawings, CAD models, specifications, and customer requirements.
• Program automated inspection sequences for first-piece, in-process, final, and first article inspections.
• Set up and prove out new or revised CMM programs prior to release for production use.
• Establish appropriate measurement strategies, datum structures, alignments, probe configurations, and inspection sequences.
• Optimize CMM programs for accuracy, repeatability, reliability, and efficient inspection cycle times.
• Troubleshoot CMM programs, probe configurations, fixtures, alignments, software, and measurement discrepancies.
• Perform probe qualification, fixture verification, and routine CMM accuracy checks.
• Maintain revision control and organized storage of CMM programs and related inspection documentation.

Dimensional Inspection & Metrology

• Perform dimensional inspection of precision CNC-machined components using CMMs and conventional inspection equipment.
• Interpret complex engineering drawings, CAD models, specifications, and GD&T requirements.
• Apply GD&T principles in accordance with applicable ASME Y14.5 requirements.
• Evaluate tight-tolerance features, profiles, true position, runout, concentricity, flatness, perpendicularity, and other geometric controls.
• Operate manual inspection equipment including micrometers, calipers, height gauges, bore gauges, indicators, optical equipment, and other precision measuring devices.
• Analyze CMM inspection results and distinguish actual product nonconformance from programming, fixturing, setup, environmental, or measurement-system issues.
• Generate accurate and clearly documented dimensional inspection reports.

Aerospace, Defense & Medical Quality Support

• Support inspection activities associated with aerospace, defense, medical, and other highly regulated customer requirements.
• Perform or support First Article Inspection (FAI) activities and associated dimensional documentation.
• Support inspection and documentation requirements associated with AS9100, ISO 9001, ISO 13485, customer-specific requirements, and applicable regulatory standards.
• Maintain accurate, traceable inspection and acceptance records in accordance with Gaishin's Quality Management System.
• Follow all applicable document-control, revision-control, calibration, and record-retention requirements.
• Escalate nonconforming product and questionable inspection results in accordance with established quality procedures.
• Support customer, internal, and third-party audits as needed.

Manufacturing & Engineering Support

• Partner with CNC Machinists, CNC Programmers, Manufacturing Engineering, and Quality personnel to resolve dimensional and manufacturing issues.
• Provide timely measurement feedback to production teams to support machine adjustments and process corrections.
• Assist in determining whether dimensional variation originates from the machining process, tooling, fixturing, inspection method, or measurement system.
• Participate in root-cause analysis and corrective-action activities related to dimensional nonconformances.
• Support new product introduction, prototype, and production-launch activities.
• Recommend improvements to inspection methods, fixturing, programming practices, and automated gauging processes.
• Assist with measurement system analysis, Gauge R&R, SPC, capability studies, and other quality improvement activities as assigned.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on reducing inspection time, improving measurement reliability, and preventing quality escapes.

Equipment & Process Ownership

• Maintain CMM equipment and automated gauging systems in proper operating condition.
• Monitor calibration status and ensure inspection equipment is used within required calibration periods.
• Coordinate or assist with preventive maintenance, calibration, troubleshooting, and repairs.
• Maintain clean, organized, and controlled inspection work areas.
• Identify opportunities to increase automation and improve inspection throughput.
• Train Quality Technicians, Inspectors, Machinists, and other employees on approved CMM program execution and part setup as appropriate.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Minimum 3 years of hands-on CMM programming and dimensional inspection experience in a precision manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated ability to create, modify, troubleshoot, and prove out CMM programs.
• Strong working knowledge of GD&T and ASME Y14.5 principles.
• Ability to independently read and interpret complex engineering drawings, specifications, and CAD models.
• Experience inspecting tight-tolerance CNC-machined components.
• Strong understanding of dimensional metrology and measurement techniques.
• Experience with CMM software such as PC-DMIS, Calypso, MCOSMOS, MODUS, PolyWorks, or equivalent.
• Experience with manual precision inspection tools including micrometers, calipers, indicators, height gauges, and bore gauges.
• Working knowledge of CNC milling and/or turning processes and their relationship to dimensional variation.
• Ability to analyze inspection results and effectively communicate findings to Manufacturing, Quality, and Engineering teams.
• Strong computer