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Professional First Article Inspector Jobs in Fort Collins, CO

nLIGHT

Quality Manager - Production

Longmont, CO

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Prepare First Article Inspection Reports (FAIRs) and support customer audits and quality reviews. * Oversee incoming inspection activities to ensure raw materials, components, and purchased parts ...

nLIGHT

Quality Manager - Engineering & Programs

Longmont, CO · On-site

$145 - $175/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... First Article Inspection Reporting. This role manages engineers and technicians but is a working manager role. All applicants must possess or be qualified to obtain a U.S. DoD Personnel Security ...

nLIGHT

Quality Manager - Production

Longmont, CO · On-site

$145K - $175K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Prepare First Article Inspection Reports (FAIRs) and support customer audits and quality reviews. * Oversee incoming inspection activities to ensure raw materials, components, and purchased parts ...

nLIGHT

Quality Manager - Production

Longmont, CO · On-site

$145K - $175K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Prepare First Article Inspection Reports (FAIRs) and support customer audits and quality reviews. * Oversee incoming inspection activities to ensure raw materials, components, and purchased parts ...

nLIGHT

Quality Manager - Engineering & Programs

Longmont, CO

$145K - $175K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... First Article Inspection Reporting. This role manages engineers and technicians but is a working manager role. All applicants must possess or be qualified to obtain a U.S. DoD Personnel Security ...

nLIGHT

Quality Manager - Engineering & Programs

Longmont, CO · On-site

$145K - $175K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... First Article Inspection Reporting. This role manages engineers and technicians but is a working manager role. All applicants must possess or be qualified to obtain a U.S. DoD Personnel Security ...

nLIGHT

Quality Manager - Engineering & Programs

Longmont, CO · On-site

$145K - $175K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... First Article Inspection Reporting. This role manages engineers and technicians but is a working manager role. All applicants must possess or be qualified to obtain a U.S. DoD Personnel Security ...

nLIGHT

Quality Manager - Engineering & Programs

Longmont, CO

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... First Article Inspection Reporting. This role manages engineers and technicians but is a working manager role. All applicants must possess or be qualified to obtain a U.S. DoD Personnel Security ...

nLIGHT

Quality Manager - Production

Longmont, CO

$145K - $175K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Prepare First Article Inspection Reports (FAIRs) and support customer audits and quality reviews. * Oversee incoming inspection activities to ensure raw materials, components, and purchased parts ...

Industrious Ventures

Director, Sourcing & Procurement

Berthoud, CO · On-site

$187 - $234/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Partner closely with Engineering and Manufacturing teams to support new product introduction (NPI), qualification activities, first article inspections (FAI), and supplier readiness for production ...

nLIGHT

Electrical Quality Engineer

Longmont, CO

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Support First Article Inspections (FAI), qualification testing, and process capability studies. * Ensure calibration and traceability of test equipment. * Support continuous improvement initiatives ...

nLIGHT

Mechanical Quality Engineer

Longmont, CO

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Support first article inspections, serialization, traceability, and documentation efforts as systems and processes mature. * Provide technical guidance and schedules to inspectors, technicians, and ...

nLIGHT

Mechanical Quality Engineer

Longmont, CO · On-site

$140K - $180K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Support first article inspections, serialization, traceability, and documentation efforts as systems and processes mature. * Provide technical guidance and schedules to inspectors, technicians, and ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsProfessional First Article Inspector JobsProfessional First Article Inspector Jobs in Fort Collins, CO

Professional First Article Inspector information

See Fort Collins, CO salary details

$12

$27

$51

How much do professional first article inspector jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average hourly pay for professional first article inspector in Fort Collins, CO is $27.08, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.32 and $31.15 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Professional First Article Inspector vs Quality Control Inspector?

AspectProfessional First Article InspectorQuality Control Inspector
CertificationsOften holds certifications like ASQ CQI or specific industry standardsMay have general quality assurance certifications or on-the-job training
Work EnvironmentPrimarily in manufacturing, aerospace, or automotive industries inspecting new parts or prototypesWorks across various industries inspecting ongoing production for defects
Job FocusFocuses on initial production runs, verifying compliance of first articlesMonitors ongoing production quality and consistency

Professional First Article Inspectors specialize in verifying the quality of initial production samples, ensuring they meet specifications before full-scale manufacturing. Quality Control Inspectors oversee ongoing production quality, identifying defects and ensuring standards are maintained. While both roles involve inspection and quality assurance, the First Article Inspector's role is more focused on initial validation, whereas the Quality Control Inspector maintains quality throughout production.

What does a professional first article inspector do?

A professional first article inspector reviews and verifies the initial sample or prototype of a product to ensure it meets design specifications, quality standards, and customer requirements. They perform detailed inspections, document findings, and may use measurement tools or inspection reports as part of quality assurance processes.

What are popular job titles related to Professional First Article Inspector jobs in Fort Collins, CO?

For Professional First Article Inspector jobs in Fort Collins, CO, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Professional First Article Inspector jobs in Fort Collins, CO look for?

The top searched job categories for Professional First Article Inspector jobs in Fort Collins, CO are:

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Cities near Fort Collins, CO with the most Professional First Article Inspector job openings:

Professional First Article Inspector jobs near you
Infographic showing various Professional First Article Inspector job openings in Fort Collins, CO as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 71% Full Time, 23% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $56,327 per year, or $27.1 per hour.

CNC Lathe & Swiss Turning Machinist II

Hirsh Precision

Frederick, CO • On-site

$26 - $34/hr

Other

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description

Day in the Life

You clock in, review the job travelers, and begin setting up a Mazak lathe for a tight-tolerance aerospace component. Programs are loaded, offsets dialed in, and a careful first-article inspection confirms dimensions and GD&T are on point. As parts run, you keep an eye on cycle times and machine health while a Swiss lathe turns out medical parts next to you. A junior machinist asks for advice—you step in to coach, then tweak a feed rate to shave seconds without risking quality. You record production and downtime data accurately before partnering with the team on a small kaizen to streamline workholding for the afternoon’s high-mix queue.

About Hirsh Precision

Hirsh Precision is a US manufacturing leader serving the medical, aerospace, industrial, and scientific sectors. We pair advanced manufacturing systems with modern software and techniques to deliver innovative, high‑precision products. Our reputation for integrity, quality, service, and excellence is powered by a passionate, engaged team—and by work that genuinely improves people’s lives.

What You’ll Do
  • Independently set up and operate CNC and Swiss lathes for high-precision components.
  • Load programs, apply and adjust tool/work offsets, edit code as needed, and validate first‑piece quality.
  • Select, install, and manage tooling, fixtures, and workholding for efficient production.
  • Run multiple machines or operations as demand requires.
  • Track cycle times, machine performance, and job progress to meet schedules.
  • Accurately record setup details, downtime events, and production counts.
Quality & Continuous Improvement
  • Interpret complex blueprints, tolerances, and GD&T requirements.
  • Use micrometers, indicators, bore and height gauges, and other metrology tools for in‑process checks.
  • Ensure conformance throughout the run, minimizing scrap and rework via strong process control.
  • Escalate nonconformances and assist in corrective actions.
  • Diagnose issues related to tooling, feeds/speeds, setups, fixturing, and machine behavior.
  • Adjust processes to improve cycle time, reduce downtime, and enhance part quality; contribute to lean initiatives.
Required Qualifications
  • High school diploma or GED preferred.
  • 3+ years of machining or CNC experience (or equivalent skill level).
  • Demonstrated ability to independently set up and run CNC equipment.
  • Strong blueprint reading with solid GD&T knowledge.
  • Proficiency using common inspection and measuring equipment.
  • Reliable attendance and punctuality.
Preferred Background
  • Experience with 4‑axis and 5‑axis machining centers.
  • CAM software familiarity or program editing experience.
  • Background in high‑mix, tight‑tolerance environments.
  • Vocational or technical machining training.
Tools & Technology
  • CNC Lathe (2–4 axis) (Mazak, Haas, Okuma, Dmg Mori Seiki)
  • CNC Swiss Lathe (Tsugami, Index, Star, Citizen)
  • Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM)
  • Measurement Gauges
  • CNC Lathe (5+ axis) (Mazak, Okuma, Dmg Mori Seiki)
  • Quality Control Software
Core Proficiencies
  • G‑Code
  • M‑Code
  • CNC Machine Setup & Changeover
  • Precision Measurement & Hand Metrology
Physical & Work Environment
  • Stand for extended periods; occasionally lift up to 50 pounds.
  • Frequent bending, reaching, and repetitive hand motions.
  • Work safely around noise, coolant, and moving machinery.

We are hiring for both First and Second shifts.

Performance Metrics
  • Attendance rate: 98% or higher.
  • Daily production goal attainment: 90% or higher.
  • Scrap rate: 2% or less.
  • Setup times at or below standard expectations.
  • Strong machine utilization with low avoidable downtime.
  • Consistent in‑spec output with minimal rework.
  • Active leadership, mentorship, and technical problem‑solving contributions.
Career Growth

This position builds toward CNC Lathe Machinist III, Lead Machinist, Programmer, or Supervisor roles—based on technical mastery, leadership, and sustained performance.