FAI Technician

Job Description

Job Description

Step into a mission-critical role at the heart of aerospace manufacturing, where your attention to detail directly safeguards product reliability and customer trust. As part of a dedicated First Article Inspection team, you’ll be the independent voice of compliance, ensuring complex aerospace assemblies meet the highest standards before they ever reach flight-critical applications.

About the Role:

This position serves as a key First Article Inspector responsible for executing rigorous physical and functional First Article Inspections (FAIs) in alignment with AS9100, AS9102, and internal quality standards. You will validate that machining and assembly processes consistently produce defect-free aerospace products that fully conform to engineering drawings, purchase orders, and technical specifications. Your work will directly support new product introductions, engineering changes, and ongoing customer requirements across high-reliability mechanical and electronic product lines.

Key Responsibilities:

• Generate and assemble complete First Article Inspection Reports (FAIRs), including AS9102 Forms 1, 2, and 3, driven by NPIs, engineering changes, and customer requests.
• Perform detailed inspections on in-process and finished complex aerospace assemblies to verify strict adherence to engineering drawings, IPC workmanship standards, and customer specifications.
• Execute and refine Partial/Delta FAIs resulting from design, tooling, or process modifications, ensuring continued compliance and process control.
• Lead full assembly FAIs across both electronic and mechanical product families, independently verifying conformance to all applicable requirements.
• Interpret complex engineering blueprints, schematics, and technical specifications, working closely with quality engineering and production management to resolve discrepancies.
• Coordinate collection, review, and validation of supplier certifications, raw material test reports (CoCs), CMM data, and supporting documentation required for FAIR approval.
• Compile, organize, and maintain complete technical data packages and quality records to support audits, customer reviews, and internal traceability.
• Act as a primary point of contact for customer FAIR submittals, managing portal submissions, feedback, corrections, and final sign-offs.

Key Requirements:

• Hands-on experience performing aerospace First Article Inspections in a production environment, including full and Partial/Delta FAIs.
• Minimum 2 years working with AS9100, AS9102, or equivalent aerospace quality management standards.
• At least 2 years of experience within formal quality management systems (QMS) in manufacturing.
• Demonstrated ability to read and interpret complex engineering drawings, GD&T, schematics, and technical specifications.
• Proven experience inspecting machined aerospace components and assemblies using mechanical measurement tools and established inspection methods.
• Strong ability to manage multiple FAIRs simultaneously while meeting tight production and customer deadlines.
• Effective communication skills to interface with customers, suppliers, engineers, and production teams.
• Willingness and ability to work on-site in a manufacturing environment and support day shift operations with flexibility for overtime as needed.

Desirable Skills:

• Experience with NetInspect or similar digital FAI software suites for FAIR creation and submission.
• Proficiency in precision metrology tools and mechanical measurement techniques, including verification of CMM inspection reports.
• Background in high-reliability electronic assemblies and IPC workmanship standards.
• Experience preparing and submitting inspection packages through customer quality portals.
• Familiarity with archiving complex technical data sets and documentation for regulatory or customer audits.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Additional post-secondary coursework or technical training in quality, aerospace manufacturing, machining, or engineering technology preferred.
• 4–6 years of relevant experience in aerospace quality, inspection, or machining environments strongly preferred.
• Formal training in AS9100/AS9102, FAI methodologies, or QMS principles is an advantage.
• Any relevant certifications in quality inspection, metrology, or aerospace manufacturing are desirable.

If you are a detail-driven FAI professional who thrives in a fast-paced aerospace environment and takes pride in ensuring products meet the strictest standards, we encourage you to apply and help uphold world-class quality for mission-critical assemblies.