Overview
Quality Assurance Manager Jobs in Buffalo, NY at Western New York Integrated Care Collaborative
[This position is not in a lab! It will operate on our Production floor]
Job Title: Quality Assurance – Production Floor Inspector
Location: Arizona
Job Type: Full-Time
Salary: TBD
Reports To: Quality Assurance Manager
About Pilgrim Aerospace:
Pilgrim Aerospace is a trusted manufacturer of high-performance fasteners for the aerospace industry, committed to excellence in precision, compliance, and on-time delivery. Our products support some of the most demanding aerospace applications, and quality is at the heart of our mission. We are currently seeking a proactive and highly detail-oriented Quality Assurance Inspector to join our team on the production floor, ensuring real-time quality assurance and compliance throughout the manufacturing process.
Job Summary:
The Quality Assurance Inspector is responsible for ensuring that all products meet established quality standards and specifications throughout the manufacturing lifecycle. Unlike a lab-focused role, this position is embedded in the production environment and involves close collaboration with operators, machinists, and production leadership. The ideal candidate will be comfortable moving between workstations, responding in real time to quality concerns, performing first-piece inspections, and driving quality-first decision-making directly on the shop floor.
Key Responsibilities:
In-Process and Final Inspection:
Conduct in-process inspections at various machining, assembly, and finishing stages to identify potential quality issues before parts advance.
Perform first article inspections (FAIs) and validate setups before full production runs, documenting findings in accordance with internal procedures.
Carry out final inspections of completed fasteners to ensure compliance with engineering drawings, customer specifications, and applicable standards.
Use standard and precision measuring tools including calipers, micrometers, thread gauges, height gauges, optical comparators, and surface plates.
Floor-Based Quality Oversight:
Monitor the production environment proactively, checking for common issues such as burrs, thread damage, under/oversized features, surface anomalies, and plating inconsistencies.
Respond immediately to operator quality questions, offering on-the-spot guidance and verification to avoid downstream quality escapes.
Support containment and quarantine of non-conforming materials; ensure proper labeling and segregation of suspect product.
Technical Communication & Support:
Collaborate with production leads, operators, and engineers to review blueprints, job travelers, and specification changes.
Communicate quality concerns clearly and professionally to facilitate rapid resolution and prevent rework or waste.
Interface with other quality team members to align on inspection priorities and audit scheduling.
Documentation & Nonconformance Reporting:
Maintain complete and accurate inspection records, including inspection reports, control charts, and nonconformance reports (NCRs).
Log discrepancies and deviations in accordance with company protocols; assist in performing basic root cause analysis when required.
Verify and track production documentation, ensuring all operations are signed off and traceable to the correct operator, machine, and lot number.
Compliance & Standards Adherence:
Apply quality standards in accordance with AS9100, ISO9001, customer-specific requirements, and internal operating procedures.
Ensure all materials and processes conform to specifications, and alert leadership if any product deviates from accepted tolerances.
Participate in internal and customer audits; support corrective action implementation and continuous improvement initiatives.
Process Improvement & Training Feedback:
Provide feedback to quality leadership on recurring issues or trends observed on the production floor.
Assist in developing visual inspection guides, operator self-check protocols, and training materials to reduce inspection failures.
Offer suggestions for fixture improvement, gage selection, or process adjustments based on inspection outcomes.
Qualifications:
Minimum of 2 years of hands-on quality inspection experience in a manufacturing environment (aerospace or fastener experience strongly preferred). Including First article Inspection reports.
Strong knowledge of dimensional inspection methods, GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing), and basic statistical principles.
Proficiency using inspection tools including calipers, micrometers, thread plug and ring gauges, height gauges, and optical comparators.
Proven ability to read and interpret technical drawings, job travelers, and specification sheets with high accuracy.
Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to engage constructively with machine operators and team leads.
Familiarity with industry standards such as AS9100, ISO 9001, and internal quality systems.
Comfortable working in a fast-paced, team-oriented production environment with shifting priorities and tight timelines.
Able to lift up to 35 lbs, stand/walk for extended periods, and navigate between production areas frequently throughout the day.
Preferred Qualifications:
Prior experience working in fastener or precision-machining environments.
Exposure to non-destructive testing (NDT), plating/finishing inspection, or hardness testing.
Experience using ERP or QMS platforms for inspection logging and document control.
Formal training in internal auditing, SPC, or Six Sigma is a plus.
Benefits:
Competitive hourly wage based on experience and qualifications.
Comprehensive medical and dental coverage.
401(k) with employer match.
Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
Opportunities for professional growth, cross-training, and advancement.
A team-first, quality-focused work culture that rewards precision, accountability, and initiative.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $20.00 – $23.00 per hour
Expected hours: 40 per week
Benefits:
401(k)
Dental insurance
Health insurance
Health savings account
Life insurance
Paid time off
Relocation assistance
Schedule:
Day shift
Application Question(s):
Do you have experience with ALL of the following equipment:
Calipers, Micrometers, Thread Plug, Ring Gauges, Height Gauges, and Optical comparators?
Experience:
Quality inspection: 2 years (Required)
GD&T: 2 years (Required)
First Article Inspections: 2 years (Required)
Work Location: In person
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Title: Quality Assurance Manager
Company: Western New York Integrated Care Collaborative
Location: Buffalo, NY
