Lead Mechanical Inspector

Stratasys•Tucson, AZ

About The Position

Stratasys Direct Manufacturing (SDM) is seeking a Lead Mechanical Inspector to provide technical leadership and advanced inspection expertise throughout the manufacturing process, from incoming materials through final product release. The role serves as a subject matter expert on inspection methods, quality standards, and customer requirements, including complex and serialized production parts. The Lead Mechanical Inspector guides inspection activities, mentors team members, ensures compliance with quality and regulatory standards, and partners with manufacturing and quality teams to drive continuous improvement and customer satisfaction. The position includes leading day-to-day inspection work, training and certifying inspectors, assigning and prioritizing work, and serving as an escalation point for technical inspection issues. The role supports customer programs, audits, corrective actions, and continuous improvement efforts while maintaining accurate quality records and following company safety policies and procedures. Access to information and/or technology controlled under ITAR or EAR is required. The successful candidate must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required U.S. Department of State authorizations. Stratasys provides reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and requires new hires to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Strong proficiency in blueprint reading and engineering drawings.
Advanced knowledge of GD&T and inspection methodologies.
Experience with AS9102 FAIR and quality documentation requirements.
Proficiency with inspection tools, portable CMM, and metrology systems.
Experience with inspection software such as PolyWorks or equivalent.
Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to work cross-functionally and influence without authority.
Must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S. (green card holder), a protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State, due to access to ITAR- or EAR-controlled information and/or technology.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in ISO 9001 and/or AS9100 environments.
Advanced GD&T training or certification.
Experience with customer portals such as Net-Inspect.
Experience with inspection planning software and process optimization.

Responsibilities

Perform incoming, in-process, and final inspections in accordance with work instructions, drawings, and customer requirements.
Interpret complex engineering drawings, specifications, and purchase orders, and serve as a subject matter expert on GD&T application.
Use advanced inspection tools and technologies, including portable CMMs (FARO, Romer) and metrology systems.
Ensure compliance with AS9102 and support First Article Inspection (FAIR) documentation.
Review and validate inspection results for accuracy and completeness.
Lead disposition support for nonconforming materials, including NCR creation and closure.
Provide day-to-day guidance and technical direction to inspectors.
Train and certify inspectors on quality standards, inspection techniques, and customer-specific requirements.
Assign work, prioritize inspection activities, and align workload with production needs.
Coach team members and support skill development in advanced inspection tools and methods.
Serve as the escalation point for technical inspection issues.
Support high-level customer programs, including source inspections and customer portals.
Ensure compliance with ISO 9001, AS9100, and internal quality system requirements.
Maintain accurate quality records and proper documentation practices.
Partner with cross-functional teams to support product quality, delivery, and customer satisfaction.
Lead or participate in continuous improvement initiatives and root cause analysis efforts.
Support internal and external audits and corrective action processes.
Drive adherence to 5S and standard work practices.
Identify opportunities to improve inspection efficiency, accuracy, and throughput.
Follow all company safety policies and procedures.
Demonstrate commitments to Stratasys Behaviors by leading, acting, and modeling these values.
Perform other responsibilities as assigned by the department or manager.