First Article Intake (FAI) Specialist

Outform Group • Chicago, IL

7d • Onsite

About The Position

The First Article Intake Specialist is responsible for evaluating and approving first article samples and die strike components to ensure compliance with customer specifications, engineering drawings, quality standards, and manufacturing requirements. This role serves as a critical quality gate within the production process, verifying that tooling, materials, dimensions, finishes, and assembly methods meet all requirements before full-scale production is authorized.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent; Associate degree preferred.
• Direct experience in quality inspection, manufacturing, packaging, retail display production, printing, or related industries.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, and specifications.
• Experience using precision measuring instruments such as calipers, rulers, gauges, and templates.
• Strong organizational and documentation skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Experience with retail displays, POP/POS manufacturing, corrugated packaging, or fixture production.
• Knowledge of quality management systems and inspection methodologies.
• Familiarity with die-cutting processes, tooling approvals, and first article inspection procedures.
• Experience working in a fast-paced production environment.
• Good eyesight with or without corrective lenses.
• Requires long periods of time working at a computer and includes phone work.

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual in English + Spanish preferred.

Responsibilities

• Review and approve first article samples prior to full production run
• Verify dimensions, materials, finishes, colors, graphics, and assembly requirements against engineering drawings and customer specifications.
• Identify non-conformances and coordinate corrective actions with production, engineering, and project teams.
• Evaluate die strike samples to ensure accuracy of tooling and production readiness.
• Verify cut lines, scoring, perforations, folds, and overall structural integrity.
• Confirm die strikes align with approved artwork, specifications, and production requirements.
• Approve or reject die strike samples and communicate required revisions.
• Collaborate with internal teams to resolve issues
• Attend all required Milestone meetings (M4/M5)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree