Quality Inspector/CMM Programmer

About VetPowered:
VetPowered, LLC, named Veteran Owned Small Business of the Year in the United States, is a rapidly growing San Diego-based corporation specializing in manufacturing, welding, fabrication, machinery repair, and customized training under private and U.S. Government contracts. VetPowered employs a highly trained workforce that uses advanced CNC equipment. VetPowered is dedicated to bringing advanced manufacturing back to America.
Key Job Functions:
At VetPowered, the Quality Inspector plays a critical role in ensuring that manufactured components and assemblies meet customer specifications, aerospace quality standards, and internal inspection requirements. This role performs detailed inspections of machined parts, fabricated parts, and assemblies; programs and operates Zeiss coordinate measuring machines; supports first article inspections; and maintains accurate quality documentation in accordance with AS9100 requirements.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Inspection and Verification

• Perform detailed inspections of machined components, fabricated parts, and assemblies using precision measuring tools.
• Interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, specifications, tolerances, and GD&T callouts to verify dimensional accuracy and compliance.
• Conduct incoming, in-process, first article, and final inspections on manufactured components.
• Verify product conformity with customer requirements, purchase orders, routers, work instructions, and documented acceptance criteria.

First Article Inspections

• Coordinate and perform first article inspections in accordance with AS9102 requirements.
• Compile and review inspection data, ballooned drawings, dimensional results, material certifications, and supporting documentation.
• Review first article inspection packages for accuracy, completeness, and traceability before submission or internal approval.

Measurement and Equipment

• Use precision measuring equipment, including calipers, micrometers, height gauges, indicators, bore gauges, thread gauges, pin gauges, surface plates, and Zeiss coordinate measuring machines using Calypso 2025 software.
• Program, edit, and prove out inspection programs in Calypso 2025 for new and existing parts, including part alignment, probe selection and qualification, fixturing, and feature and GD&T evaluation. Training on Calypso is available for candidates experienced on other CMM platforms.
• Develop CMM programs from engineering drawings and CAD models, and verify program results against drawing requirements before release to production.
• Operate Zeiss CMM equipment, run inspection programs, and troubleshoot program and measurement issues as they arise.
• Maintain revision control and documentation for CMM programs so that each program matches the current drawing revision.
• Maintain inspection equipment properly and support compliance with calibration requirements for measuring tools and devices.

Documentation and Reporting

• Maintain accurate, complete, legible, and traceable inspection records for internal quality systems and customer requirements.
• Document nonconforming material and communicate findings to production and quality leadership.
• Assist with inspection reports, first article records, nonconformance documentation, and other quality records.
• Enter and maintain inspection records, nonconformance information, and related quality documentation in JobBOSS and UniPoint.

Collaboration with Manufacturing

• Work closely with machinists, fabricators, manufacturing personnel, and quality leadership to resolve quality issues and improve product quality.
• Provide guidance to production personnel regarding quality standards, inspection requirements, and documentation expectations.
• Communicate inspection delays, unclear requirements, missing documentation, and nonconforming product promptly.

Continuous Improvement and Quality System Support

• Identify trends in inspection results and support root cause investigations and corrective action activity.
• Support internal, customer, and certification audits by providing accurate inspection records and objective evidence.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives that improve product quality, inspection flow, documentation accuracy, and operational efficiency.
• Perform other duties as required in support of the department and company goals.

Qualifications & Work Experience:
To perform this job successfully, the candidate must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily, with or without an accommodation. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and ability required.

• High school diploma or equivalent required. Technical certification or an associate degree in manufacturing, machining, or quality assurance preferred.
• Minimum of 5+ years of quality inspection experience within a manufacturing or aerospace environment.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience programming and operating coordinate measuring machines required.
• Experience with Zeiss CMM equipment and Calypso software strongly preferred; candidates with programming experience on other CMM platforms such as PC-DMIS, MCOSMOS, or CMM-Manager will be considered, with the expectation of becoming proficient in Calypso 2025.
• Ability to develop and edit CMM inspection programs from engineering drawings and CAD models, including part alignment, probe qualification, and GD&T evaluation.
• Strong understanding of blueprint reading and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing.
• Experience conducting first article inspections and familiarity with AS9102 documentation requirements.
• Experience working within an AS9100 quality system preferred.
• Proficiency with precision measuring tools and inspection methods.
• Strong attention to detail and analytical problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and prioritize multiple inspection tasks.
• Experience using UniPoint and JobBOSS is a plus.
• Proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.

Mission and Values
Contribute to achievement of the Mission and Vision of our organization by:

• Attention to Detail - The ability to accomplish a task while demonstrating a thorough concern for all the areas involved, no matter how small.
• All In - Brings their whole self to work and gives it their all no matter how difficult the job or situation.
• Accountable - Takes personal responsibility for their work, owns mistakes, communicates honestly rather than hiding the truth, and does not blame others or make excuses.
• Adaptable - Easily adjusts to changing circumstances.
• Always Improving - Makes a constant, ongoing effort to improve a product, service, skill set, or the team's way of working.

Important Notes
Position Details: This is a full-time hourly (non-exempt) position, 40+ hours per week. Overtime applies based on workload and production needs. This position is located onsite with no remote work available.
Schedule: This position is Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Occasional weekends or schedule adjustments may be required to support company goals and production needs.
Pay: The range of pay for this California-based position is $40.00-$48.00 per hour, depending on experience. This reflects base pay only and does not include overtime or any opportunity for incentive compensation.
Incentive Compensation: Potential for bonus or incentive compensation after one full year of employment.
Benefits and Perks: VetPowered makes available comprehensive benefits the first of the month following the date of hire. Options include medical coverage with a 50% employer contribution, dental and vision coverage with a 100% employer contribution, a 401(k) program with employer match up to $1,000 per year, eight paid holidays, and paid time off.
Dress Code: This position is provided VetPowered uniforms and laundry service. Closed-toe safety shoes and all required personal protective equipment must be worn in production areas.
Supervisory: None
Physical Requirements: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.
The employee is frequently required to stand, sit, walk, use hands to finger, handle or feel, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is regularly required to push, move, lift, or otherwise bear 10-30 lbs. Work may include repetitive computer use with a keyboard, mouse, and headset while sitting or standing at an assigned work area.
Work Environment: The employee works in a contract manufacturing facility in an urban industrial neighborhood. The facility includes administrative offices, classrooms, welding areas, and machining areas.
The employee may encounter additional environmental hazards that are chemical, electrical, flammable, or mechanical in nature.
 

E-Verify Compliance Statement:
VetPowered, LLC participates in the E-Verify program. We ensure employment eligibility of all employees by using the E-Verify electronic verification system.

Policy for Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation Prevention:
VetPowered, LLC is committed to providing a professional work environment free from discrimination and harassment, including discrimination and harassment based on a protected characteristic, and an environment free from retaliation for participating in any protected activity covered by this policy.

VetPowered, LLC employees are expected to assume responsibility for maintaining a work environment that is free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. Employees are encouraged to promptly report conduct that they believe violates this policy so that we have an opportunity to address and resolve any concerns. Managers and supervisors are required to promptly report conduct that they believe violates this policy. We are committed to responding to alleged violations of this policy in a timely and fair manner and to taking appropriate action aimed at ending the prohibited conduct.

EEO Statement:
VetPowered, LLC is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees, applicants, unpaid interns, and volunteers without regard to actual or perceived: race (including hair texture or protected hairstyles, e.g. braids, locks, and twists), color, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), national origin (including language use restrictions), ancestry, citizenship, disability (mental and physical) including HIV and AIDS, medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, marital status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, age (40 years and over), sexual orientation, veteran and/or military status, family and medical leave status, domestic violence victim status, political affiliation, and any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.

All openings are subject to change without notice, due to the volume of applications / resumes received, we are unable to respond to status inquiries. Please be assured that your information is being properly handled and forwarded to the appropriate hiring staff. If your skills and qualifications meet the needs of the job, you will be contacted.