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Professional First Article Inspector Jobs in Santa Clara, CA

You'll run existing CMM programs and inspect by hand for first article, in-process, and final inspection on complex, tight-tolerance parts bound for aerospace, defense, semiconductor, and medical ...

CMM Quality Inspectors

San Jose, CA · On-site

$34 - $37/hr

You'll run existing CMM programs and inspect by hand for first article, in-process, and final inspection on complex, tight-tolerance parts bound for aerospace, defense, semiconductor, and medical ...

CMM Quality Inspectors

San Jose, CA · On-site

$34 - $37/hr

You'll run existing CMM programs and inspect by hand for first article, in-process, and final inspection on complex, tight-tolerance parts bound for aerospace, defense, semiconductor, and medical ...

Support First Article Inspection validation and prepare AS9102-compliant inspection documentation. * Inspect production lots required for supplier qualification, including two consecutive defect-free ...

Quality Inspector

San Jose, CA · On-site

$29 - $32/hr

Building on the Quality Inspector role, the Inspector leads First Article Inspections (FAI), root cause analysis, and quality audits . They manage quality improvement projects, mentor junior ...

Be Seen First

Perform inspections at all stages: incoming, in-process, and final, ensuring compliance with quality standards. * Assist with First Article Inspections (FAI) and document findings accurately.

New

CMM INSPECTOR

Fremont, CA · On-site

$28 - $30/hr

Set up, calibrate, and operate CMM equipment to perform first-article, in-process, and final inspections on precision components. * Blueprint & Drawing Interpretation: Read and interpret complex ...

... First Article Inspection Report What we offer * Competitive pay and comprehensive health benefits * 401(k) with company match and retirement plans * Paid time off * Professional development and ...

Quality Inspector

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$50K - $67K/yr

... First Article Inspection Report What we offer * Competitive pay and comprehensive health benefits * 401(k) with company match and retirement plans * Paid time off * Professional development and ...

Quality Inspector

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$50K - $67K/yr

... First Article Inspection Report What we offer * Competitive pay and comprehensive health benefits * 401(k) with company match and retirement plans * Paid time off * Professional development and ...

Quality Inspector

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$50K - $67K/yr

... First Article Inspection Report What we offer * Competitive pay and comprehensive health benefits * 401(k) with company match and retirement plans * Paid time off * Professional development and ...

Quality Inspector

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$50K - $67K/yr

... First Article Inspection Report What we offer * Competitive pay and comprehensive health benefits * 401(k) with company match and retirement plans * Paid time off * Professional development and ...

SMT QC

San Jose, CA · On-site

$24 - $27/hr

Immediately inform Production Lead and Engineering when a line stoppage occurs. · Assist the First Article process to assure good quality for all builds. · Assist the QC inspectors to assure ...

SMT QC

San Jose, CA · On-site

$24 - $27/hr

Immediately inform Production Lead and Engineering when a line stoppage occurs. · Assist the First Article process to assure good quality for all builds. · Assist the QC inspectors to assure ...

Quality Inspector

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$50K - $67K/yr

... First Article Inspection Report What we offer * Competitive pay and comprehensive health benefits * 401(k) with company match and retirement plans * Paid time off * Professional development and ...

... First Article Inspection Report What we offer * Competitive pay and comprehensive health benefits * 401(k) with company match and retirement plans * Paid time off * Professional development and ...

Quality Inspector

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$50K - $67K/yr

... First Article Inspection Report What we offer * Competitive pay and comprehensive health benefits * 401(k) with company match and retirement plans * Paid time off * Professional development and ...

Be Seen First

Quality Inspector

Scotts Valley, CA · On-site

$27 - $35/hr

Able to translate drawing callouts and CAD geometry into a complete first-article/production inspection plan * Rheology experience -- comfortable operating a rheometer using standard material-testing ...

New

Key Responsibilities Conduct first article, incoming, in-process, and final inspections on machined parts, sheet metal, and welded assemblies. Perform precise dimensional inspections (hard check ...

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Professional First Article Inspector information

See Santa Clara, CA salary details

$14

$32

$61

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

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for professional first article inspector in Santa Clara, CA is $32.13, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.73 and $36.97 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a professional first article inspector?

A professional first article inspector is a quality control specialist responsible for examining the initial sample or prototype of a product to ensure it meets design specifications and standards. This role often requires knowledge of inspection tools, technical drawings, and industry regulations, and may involve documenting findings and collaborating with manufacturing teams.

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 are the most commonly searched types of First Article Inspector jobs in Santa Clara, CA? The most popular types of First Article Inspector jobs in Santa Clara, CA are:
What are popular job titles related to Professional First Article Inspector jobs in Santa Clara, CA? For Professional First Article Inspector jobs in Santa Clara, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Professional First Article Inspector jobs in Santa Clara, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Professional First Article Inspector jobs in Santa Clara, CA are:
What cities near Santa Clara, CA are hiring for Professional First Article Inspector jobs? Cities near Santa Clara, CA with the most Professional First Article Inspector job openings:
Infographic showing various Professional First Article Inspector job openings in Santa Clara, CA 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 $66,831 per year, or $32.1 per hour.

CMM Quality Inspectors

Laborup

San Jose, CA

$34 - $37/hr

Other

Posted 17 days ago


Job description

Overview

We're hiring CMM Quality Inspectors for our aerospace precision machining shop.

You'll run existing CMM programs and inspect by hand for first article, in-process, and final inspection on complex, tight-tolerance parts bound for aerospace, defense, semiconductor, and medical customers. Inspection runs on Brown & Sharpe (PC-DMIS) and Aberlink Axiom CMMs, backed by micrometers, calipers, and other hand tools.

We're an engineering-driven precision manufacturer in San Jose. You'll sit in the Quality department and work directly with machinists, programmers, and engineers when dimensions come back out of spec. We're hiring on both day and night shift.

Why Join Us

  • Unlimited overtime: Double pay on Sundays, no cap on hours.
  • High-impact industries: Aerospace, defense, semiconductor, and medical parts under one roof.
  • Day or night: 1st and 2nd shift inspector spots open now.

Compensation

  • $34-37/hour, depending on experience
  • Unlimited overtime available
  • Double pay on Sundays

Shifts on Multiple Shifts

  • 1st shift: Monday-Friday: 6:00 am - 2:30 pm
  • 2nd shift: Monday-Friday: 2:30 pm - 11:00 pm

Responsibilities

  • CMM Inspection: Run existing programs on Brown & Sharpe and Aberlink CMMs.
  • Manual Inspection: Measure parts with micrometers, calipers, and hand tools.
  • First Article Inspection: Run FAIs and build detailed dimensional reports.
  • Blueprint Review: Interpret drawings, GD&T, and customer specs before inspecting.
  • In-Process Inspection: Check parts during production runs and at final.
  • Root Cause Support: Flag dimensional problems to machinists and engineers.
  • Calibration Support: Keep gauges and metrology equipment calibrated and working.
  • Inspection Records: Maintain reports, documentation, and quality records.

Requirements

Qualifications

Required

  • CMM operating experience in precision machining
  • Strong blueprint reading and interpretation skills
  • Ability to read and apply GD&T
  • Hands-on inspection with micrometers and calipers
  • Experience running existing CMM programs
  • Experience with first article inspection

Preferred

  • PC-DMIS or comparable CMM software experience
  • Brown & Sharpe or Aberlink CMM experience
  • LIght CMM programming experience (CMM Manager or PC-DMIS)
  • Aerospace, defense, semiconductor, or medical background
  • Experience in an AS9100 environment
  • Root cause and corrective action experience