Quality control inspectors are the guardians of manufacturing quality – ensuring products meet specifications before they reach customers. Every Maryland manufacturer, from Northrop Grumman’s aerospace components to Merck’s pharmaceuticals to precision machine shops producing medical devices, requires skilled QC professionals to measure, test, and verify that parts and products conform to drawings, specifications, and regulatory requirements.
Entry-level QC inspector positions start at $40,000-$52,000 with on-the-job training, experienced dimensional inspectors using CMM (Coordinate Measuring Machine) equipment earn $55,000-$72,000, and senior quality engineers with certifications (ASQ CQT, CQE) command $70,000-$95,000. Most roles require just a high school diploma and mechanical aptitude, with certifications and advanced skills learned through employer training.
This comprehensive guide covers QC career paths, inspection tools and techniques, certification options, salary ranges by industry and skill level, and the fastest route from entry-level inspector to quality engineer or quality manager.
1. Why Quality Control Inspector Jobs Are Growing in Maryland
The Quality Imperative
Maryland Quality Control Employment Statistics (2026):
- Total QC inspector positions: 5,200+ (dedicated inspection roles)
- Job growth (5-year projection): +12% (faster than average)
- Average QC inspector salary: $52,800
- Vacancy rate: 14-16% (employers struggling to find qualified inspectors)
- Industries hiring: Aerospace/Defense (32%), Precision Manufacturing (28%), Pharmaceutical (18%), Automotive (12%), Other (10%)
What’s Driving Demand
Zero-Defect Requirements: Aerospace parts for Northrop Grumman aircraft can’t have defects – a failed component could cause loss of aircraft and lives. Every dimension must be verified to ±0.0001″ tolerances or tighter. This requires skilled inspectors using precision measurement equipment.
FDA Regulatory Compliance: Pharmaceutical manufacturers (Merck Hagerstown, AstraZeneca Frederick) must document that products meet specifications. QC inspectors perform in-process and final inspections with full traceability required by FDA regulations (21 CFR Part 211).
Customer Quality Requirements: Automotive OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) mandate PPAP (Production Part Approval Process) documentation. Suppliers must prove parts meet specifications using statistical analysis and inspection data. This requires trained QC personnel.
ISO 9001 / AS9100 Certification: Most Maryland manufacturers maintain quality management system certifications:
- ISO 9001 (general manufacturing)
- AS9100 (aerospace)
- ISO 13485 (medical devices) All require documented inspection and measurement processes performed by qualified personnel.
Advanced Manufacturing Growth: Maryland’s 3,500+ manufacturing facilities increasingly use CNC machining, additive manufacturing (3D printing), and advanced materials. These technologies require sophisticated quality control – visual inspection alone is insufficient.
Reshoring of Manufacturing: U.S. manufacturers bringing production back from overseas need domestic QC capability. Maryland benefits from this trend with new manufacturing facilities requiring inspection staff.
Aging Workforce: 38% of current QC inspectors are 55+. Retirements create steady flow of openings for new inspectors over next 5-10 years.
Manufacturing quality and inspection careers
2. Types of QC Inspector Roles & Specializations
Entry-Level Inspection Roles
Visual Inspector / Final Inspector
- Salary: $38,000-$48,000
- Requirements: High school diploma, good eyesight, attention to detail
- Responsibilities:
- Visual inspection of finished products for defects
- Check for scratches, dents, discoloration, proper assembly
- Use magnifying glasses, microscopes for small parts
- Sort conforming from non-conforming parts
- Document inspection results
- May use go/no-go gauges and simple hand tools
- Industries: All manufacturing (most accessible entry point)
- Physical: Standing 8-10 hours, repetitive inspection motions
- Best for: Entry into quality control, no prior experience required
Receiving Inspector / Incoming Inspector
- Salary: $40,000-$52,000
- Requirements: High school diploma, basic measurement tools knowledge
- Responsibilities:
- Inspect incoming raw materials, purchased parts, and components
- Verify against purchase orders and supplier certifications
- Use calipers, micrometers, height gauges
- Document non-conformances
- Coordinate with suppliers and purchasing
- May perform basic dimensional inspection
- Industries: All manufacturing (every facility receives materials)
- Career path: Receiving inspector → Dimensional inspector or First Article inspector
First Piece / First Article Inspector
- Salary: $45,000-$58,000
- Requirements: 1-3 years inspection experience, blueprint reading
- Responsibilities:
- Inspect first piece from new production setup
- Complete dimensional inspection per blueprint
- Approve or reject setup before production begins
- Work closely with manufacturing to resolve issues
- Complete First Article Inspection Reports (FAIR) for aerospace
- Critical role: Catch problems before hundreds of bad parts are made
- Industries: Precision manufacturing, aerospace, medical devices
Mid-Level Specialized Roles
Dimensional Inspector / Layout Inspector
- Salary: $50,000-$68,000
- Requirements: 3-5 years experience, strong GD&T knowledge, blueprint reading
- Tools: Calipers, micrometers, height gauges, surface plates, optical comparators
- Responsibilities:
- Perform detailed dimensional inspection per blueprint
- Interpret GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing)
- Create inspection reports with measurements
- Calibrate and maintain hand tools
- Train junior inspectors
- Industries: Precision machining, aerospace, automotive
- Skill level: Intermediate to advanced
CMM Operator / CMM Programmer
- Salary: $55,000-$75,000
- Requirements: 2-4 years inspection experience + CMM training
- Equipment: Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) – computer-controlled measuring device
- Software: PC-DMIS, Calypso, Zeiss, MCOSMOS
- Responsibilities:
- Program CMM to inspect parts automatically
- Load parts, run programs, analyze results
- Create inspection programs for new parts
- Generate inspection reports (Excel, PDF)
- Maintain CMM calibration and accuracy
- High demand: CMM operators are specialized and in short supply
- Career path: CMM operator → CMM programmer → Quality engineer
Metrology Technician
- Salary: $52,000-$70,000
- Requirements: 3-5 years inspection experience, metrology training
- Responsibilities:
- Maintain and calibrate all inspection equipment
- Perform gage R&R studies (measurement system analysis)
- Select appropriate measurement methods for new parts
- Troubleshoot measurement problems
- Support ISO 17025 calibration lab (if company has internal lab)
- Technical specialty: Bridge between inspection and engineering
- Industries: Large manufacturers with internal metrology labs
Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Inspector
- Salary: $50,000-$72,000
- Requirements: NDT Level II certification (ultrasonic, X-ray, magnetic particle, liquid penetrant)
- Responsibilities:
- Detect internal defects not visible on surface
- X-ray welded components
- Ultrasonic testing of castings and forgings
- Magnetic particle inspection for cracks
- Liquid penetrant for surface cracks
- Certifications: ASNT Level II (American Society for Nondestructive Testing)
- Industries: Aerospace, pressure vessels, nuclear, structural steel
- Specialized: Separate career track from dimensional inspection
Senior / Engineering Roles
Quality Engineer
- Salary: $65,000-$90,000
- Requirements: 5-7 years quality experience, bachelor’s degree (engineering, quality) or equivalent experience + certifications
- Certifications: ASQ CQE (Certified Quality Engineer) strongly preferred
- Responsibilities:
- Develop inspection plans and quality control procedures
- Perform capability studies (Cpk analysis)
- Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions (8D, CAPA)
- Interface with customers on quality issues
- Support new product development with DFM/DFA input
- Manage supplier quality
- Statistical analysis and SPC (Statistical Process Control)
- Path: Often promoted from senior inspector or come from engineering
- Six Sigma certification valuable: Green Belt or Black Belt common
Quality Manager / Quality Assurance Manager
- Salary: $80,000-$110,000
- Requirements: 8-12 years quality experience, bachelor’s degree, ASQ certifications
- Responsibilities:
- Manage quality department (5-20 people: inspectors, engineers, technicians)
- Maintain ISO/AS9100 certification
- Customer audits and supplier audits
- Quality metrics and reporting to executive leadership
- Budget management
- Internal audit program management
- Career pinnacle: Highest quality role in most facilities
3. Inspection Tools & Equipment You’ll Use
Hand Tools (Every Inspector Uses These)
Calipers (Digital and Vernier):
- Measure: Outside diameter, inside diameter, depth, step
- Accuracy: ±0.001″ typical
- Range: 0-6″, 0-12″ common
- Cost: $50-$300 (digital), $30-$150 (vernier)
- Most commonly used tool in quality inspection
Micrometers (Outside, Inside, Depth):
- Measure: Precise dimensions to ±0.0001″
- Outside mic: Most common (measure OD)
- Inside mic: Measure bore diameters
- Depth mic: Measure hole depths, step heights
- Cost: $80-$400 per micrometer
- Requires skill to use properly (feel, technique)
Height Gauges:
- Measure: Height dimensions, perpendicularity, flatness
- Used on: Surface plate (precision flat reference surface)
- Accuracy: ±0.001″
- Digital or dial indicator readout
- Cost: $300-$1,500
Pin Gauges:
- Measure: Small hole diameters precisely
- Sets: 190-piece sets covering 0.011″ to 1.000″ in 0.001″ increments
- Accuracy: ±0.0002″
- Cost: $200-$800 per set
Thread Gauges (Go/No-Go):
- Verify: Thread pitch and fit
- Critical for: Threaded fasteners, tapped holes
- Go gauge must pass, No-Go gauge must NOT pass
- Cost: $15-$80 per gauge
Surface Finish Comparators:
- Assess: Surface roughness visually and tactilely
- Range: 8 to 500 micro-inches Ra
- Cost: $50-$200
Precision Measurement Equipment
Optical Comparator (Profile Projector):
- Function: Projects magnified shadow of part onto screen with overlay
- Measures: Profiles, angles, radii, threads
- Magnification: 10X to 100X typical
- Use: Complex 2D geometry, small parts
- Cost: $8,000-$40,000
- Very common in precision machine shops
Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM):
- Function: 3D measurement using touch probe or laser scanner
- Accuracy: ±0.0001″ to ±0.001″ depending on size
- Software: PC-DMIS (most common), Calypso (Zeiss), MCOSMOS (Mitutoyo)
- Measures: All GD&T characteristics (position, perpendicularity, flatness, runout)
- Cost: $50,000-$500,000 depending on size and features
- Gold standard for dimensional inspection
Surface Roughness Tester:
- Measures: Ra (average roughness), Rz (peak-to-valley)
- Accuracy: ±5% typical
- Use: Verify machined surface finish
- Cost: $2,000-$8,000
Vision Systems (Automated Optical Inspection):
- Function: Camera-based measurement and inspection
- Software analyzes images, measures features
- Fast, repeatable, non-contact
- Cost: $15,000-$100,000
- Growing in use for high-volume inspection
Gage Blocks & Reference Standards
Gage Blocks (Jo Blocks):
- Precision rectangular blocks in specific sizes
- Used to: Calibrate micrometers, set up fixtures
- Accuracy: Grade 0 (±0.000002″), Grade 1 (±0.000004″)
- Cost: $300-$2,000 per set
Pin Gages, Ring Gages, Plug Gages:
- Master references for calibration
- Traceable to NIST standards
- Every quality lab needs reference standards
4. Required Skills & Certifications
Core Skills for QC Inspectors
Blueprint Reading:
- Critical: Must interpret engineering drawings accurately
- Understand: Views (top, front, side), sections, detail callouts
- Symbols: Surface finish, welding symbols, notes
- Training: Community college courses, on-the-job, online courses
GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing):
- Essential for precision work: Aerospace, medical devices, automotive
- Understand: Datums, position, perpendicularity, flatness, parallelism, profile, runout, concentricity
- Levels: Basic awareness → Advanced interpretation → Application
- Training: ASME Y14.5 standard, GD&T courses (online, community college)
- Salary impact: +$5,000-$10,000 with strong GD&T knowledge
Measurement Techniques:
- Proper use of calipers, micrometers, height gauges
- Understand: Accuracy vs. precision, measurement uncertainty
- Technique: Consistent, repeatable measurements
- Training: On-the-job, hands-on practice
Attention to Detail:
- Spot small defects, read dimensions correctly
- Maintain focus during repetitive tasks
- Double-check critical measurements
- Not teachable: Either have it or don’t
Math Skills:
- Basic arithmetic, fractions, decimals
- Tolerance calculations (min/max limits)
- Unit conversions (inches to millimeters)
- Basic statistics helpful (averages, ranges)
Computer Skills:
- Data entry (Excel, inspection software)
- CMM programming software (PC-DMIS)
- Generate reports
- Email, basic Windows navigation
Valuable Certifications
ASQ CQT (Certified Quality Technician):
- Issuer: American Society for Quality
- For: Quality inspectors and technicians
- Requirements: High school diploma + 2 years experience
- Exam: 100 questions, 3 hours
- Cost: $349 exam (ASQ members), $449 (non-members)
- Salary impact: +$3,000-$6,000
- Recognition: Well-respected in manufacturing industry
ASQ CQI (Certified Quality Inspector):
- For: Dedicated inspectors
- Requirements: High school + 2 years inspection experience
- Exam: 75 questions
- Cost: $349-$449
- Less common than CQT but valuable
ASQ CQE (Certified Quality Engineer):
- For: Quality engineers (not inspectors, but career goal)
- Requirements: 8 years experience + bachelor’s, OR 10 years without degree
- Exam: Very challenging
- Cost: $488-$588
- Salary impact: +$10,000-$18,000
- Career advancement: Often required for quality engineer roles
GD&T Certification:
- Various providers offer GD&T certification
- ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) most respected
- Cost: $300-$800
- Demonstrates proficiency in geometric tolerancing
CMM Certification:
- Often company/equipment-specific
- Zeiss, Mitutoyo, Hexagon offer training and certification
- Cost: $1,500-$3,000
- High value: CMM skills in high demand
5. Salary Ranges by Role, Industry & Equipment
By Inspector Role (Maryland Average)
Entry Level:
- Visual inspector: $38,000-$48,000
- Receiving inspector: $40,000-$50,000
- QC technician (entry): $42,000-$52,000
Mid-Level:
- Dimensional inspector: $48,000-$62,000
- CMM operator: $52,000-$68,000
- First article inspector: $50,000-$64,000
- NDT Level II inspector: $52,000-$70,000
Senior/Specialized:
- CMM programmer: $60,000-$75,000
- Metrology technician: $55,000-$72,000
- Senior inspector (ASQ certified): $58,000-$75,000
Engineering/Management:
- Quality engineer (ASQ CQE): $65,000-$90,000
- Quality manager: $80,000-$110,000
By Industry Sector
Aerospace / Defense (Highest Paying):
- QC inspector: $50,000-$68,000
- CMM operator (aerospace): $60,000-$78,000
- Quality engineer (AS9100): $75,000-$98,000
- Premium: Tight tolerances, extensive documentation, clearance often required
Pharmaceutical / Biotech:
- QC technician (GMP): $48,000-$65,000
- Quality engineer (FDA): $70,000-$92,000
- Premium: Regulatory environment, documentation requirements
Precision Manufacturing (General):
- QC inspector: $45,000-$60,000
- CMM operator: $52,000-$68,000
- Quality engineer: $65,000-$85,000
Automotive Suppliers:
- QC inspector (PPAP): $46,000-$62,000
- Quality engineer (IATF 16949): $68,000-$88,000
Medical Device Manufacturing:
- QC inspector (ISO 13485): $48,000-$64,000
- Quality engineer: $70,000-$90,000
By Location in Maryland
Montgomery County (Rockville, Gaithersburg):
- QC inspector: $50,000-$68,000 (highest in state)
- CMM operator: $60,000-$78,000
- Quality engineer: $75,000-$95,000
Baltimore County:
- QC inspector: $46,000-$62,000
- CMM operator: $55,000-$72,000
- Quality engineer: $70,000-$90,000
Anne Arundel County (Defense):
- QC inspector (cleared): $52,000-$68,000
- Quality engineer (cleared): $75,000-$95,000
Hagerstown / Washington County:
- QC inspector: $43,000-$58,000
- CMM operator: $50,000-$66,000
- Quality engineer: $65,000-$82,000
Hagerstown manufacturing and quality positions
Certification Salary Premium
Same role, different certifications (Dimensional Inspector, 5 years experience, Baltimore):
- No certification: $52,000
- ASQ CQT: $57,000 (+10%)
- GD&T certification: $58,000 (+12%)
- CMM operator + GD&T: $64,000 (+23%)
Lifetime earning difference: ASQ CQT = $150,000-$250,000 additional over 30-year career
6. Top Employers Hiring QC Inspectors in Maryland
Aerospace & Defense
Northrop Grumman – Linthicum/Baltimore
- QC inspectors: Always hiring (20-40 open positions typical)
- Starting pay: $50,000-$62,000
- CMM operators: $60,000-$75,000
- Requirements: AS9100 experience preferred, clearance often required
- Benefits: Industry-leading, tuition reimbursement
- Largest aerospace QC employer in Maryland
Lockheed Martin – Various Maryland Locations
- Similar roles and pay to Northrop Grumman
- Clearance required for most positions
Defense Subcontractors (Tier 2 and 3):
- 50+ smaller companies supplying Northrop/Lockheed
- QC inspectors: $46,000-$62,000
- Often easier to get hired than prime contractors
- Experience transfers to prime contractors later
Precision Manufacturing & Machining
Hundreds of precision machine shops across Maryland:
- QC inspectors: $44,000-$60,000
- CMM operators: $52,000-$68,000
- Often 10-50 employee shops
- Diverse work (aerospace, medical, automotive, industrial)
Major employers:
- Hagerstown area: 30+ precision machine shops
- Baltimore area: 50+ machine shops
- Frederick area: 20+ machine shops
Why work for machine shops:
- See variety of parts and industries
- Learn quickly (exposure to many different inspection scenarios)
- Often more personal work environment than large corporations
Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
Merck – Hagerstown
- QC technicians: $50,000-$65,000
- Quality engineers: $75,000-$95,000
- GMP environment (Good Manufacturing Practices)
- Excellent benefits, stable employment
AstraZeneca – Frederick
- Quality roles in vaccine manufacturing
- Pay comparable to Merck
- Growing facility = hiring
Automotive & Heavy Equipment
Volvo/Mack Trucks – Hagerstown
- QC inspectors: $48,000-$62,000
- Quality engineers: $70,000-$88,000
- Union environment (UAW)
Automotive Tier 1 Suppliers in Maryland:
- Multiple suppliers to automotive OEMs
- QC roles supporting PPAP and production
7. How to Break Into Quality Control Careers
Path 1: Direct Hire as Entry Inspector (Fastest)
Timeline: Apply → Hired in 2-4 weeks
Requirements:
- High school diploma
- Mechanical aptitude
- Attention to detail
- Pass skills assessment (often measuring with calipers/micrometers)
Process:
- Apply to 20-30 QC inspector positions
- Phone screen (discuss mechanical experience, detail orientation)
- In-person interview + skills test (measure sample parts with calipers)
- Job offer
- On-the-job training (3-6 months to full proficiency)
Starting salary: $40,000-$50,000
Best for: Those needing immediate income, no prior inspection experience
Path 2: Production Worker → QC Inspector (Internal Promotion)
Timeline: 1-3 years
Common path in manufacturing:
Advantages:
- Know the products already
- Internal candidates often preferred
- Company pays for training
- Smooth transition
Salary progression: $38,000 (production) → $48,000 (inspector) = +$10,000
Path 3: Technical Training → QC Inspector
Timeline: 6-12 months education + certification
Education options:
Community College:
- Quality Assurance certificate (6-12 months)
- Cost: $2,000-$4,000
- Curriculum: Blueprint reading, GD&T, measurement tools, quality systems
- Often includes internship/externship
Online courses:
- GD&T online course: $300-$800
- Blueprint reading: $200-$500
- ASQ CQT exam prep: $300-$600
Then: Apply to QC positions with education credentials Starting salary: $44,000-$54,000 (higher than no training)
Path 4: Military to QC Inspector
Military quality assurance experience transfers:
- Navy Quality Assurance Specialist
- Army Quality Assurance Specialist
- Air Force Quality Assurance
- Marines Metrology and Calibration (PMEL)
Upon separation:
- Experience counts toward civilian requirements
- Often have clearance (valuable for defense contractors)
- Apply directly to QC inspector or senior inspector roles
- Starting salary: $48,000-$62,000 depending on military experience level
Veterans’ preference for federal QC positions (Aberdeen, Fort Detrick)
Immediate Action Plan (Zero QC Experience)
Week 1:
- Buy digital calipers ($50 on Amazon)
- Practice measuring household items
- Watch YouTube videos on caliper and micrometer use
Week 2:
- Take free blueprint reading course online (GCFLearnFree.org)
- Learn basic symbols and views
Week 3-4:
- Apply to 30-40 entry-level QC inspector positions
- Emphasize: Attention to detail, mechanical aptitude, willingness to learn
- Apply through: Indeed, company websites, staffing agencies
Week 5-6:
- Interviews (bring calipers to show initiative!)
- Pass skills tests
Week 7: Start working as QC inspector
Total timeline: 0 experience → Working as inspector: 6-8 weeks
8. Career Advancement: Inspector to Quality Engineer
The Quality Career Ladder
Years 0-2: Entry QC Inspector
- Salary: $40,000-$52,000
- Learn: Inspection techniques, tools, blueprint reading
- Goal: Build core competency, zero errors
Years 2-5: Dimensional Inspector or CMM Operator
- Salary: $50,000-$68,000
- Specialize: CMM programming, advanced GD&T, first article inspection
- Certification: Get ASQ CQT
- Goal: Become go-to person for complex inspections
Years 5-8: Senior Inspector or Metrology Technician
- Salary: $58,000-$75,000
- Responsibilities: Train new inspectors, equipment calibration, advanced problem-solving
- Certification: Study for ASQ CQE (quality engineer)
- Education: Consider associate’s or bachelor’s degree (use tuition reimbursement)
Years 8-12: Quality Engineer
- Salary: $70,000-$90,000
- Transition: From inspection to quality systems, root cause analysis, process improvement
- Certification: ASQ CQE, Six Sigma Green Belt
- Responsibilities: Lead investigations, develop quality plans, interface with customers
Years 12-20: Quality Manager
- Salary: $85,000-$115,000
- Manage: Quality department (inspectors, engineers, technicians)
- Certifications: ASQ CQE, Six Sigma Black Belt often
- Responsibilities: ISO/AS9100 management, customer audits, quality strategy
Total salary growth: $42,000 (entry inspector) → $100,000 (manager) = +$58,000 over 15-20 years
Alternative Paths
Metrology/Calibration Specialist:
- Focus on measurement science rather than management
- Salary: $60,000-$85,000
- Highly technical, less people management
- Can consult independently
NDT Inspector (Non-Destructive Testing):
- Separate certification track (ultrasonic, X-ray, mag particle)
- Salary: $55,000-$80,000
- Specialized, always in demand
- Good for those who like technical specialization
9. Day in the Life: What QC Inspection Really Involves
Dimensional Inspector – Precision Machine Shop (Typical Day)
7:00am – Arrive, Review Work Queue
- Check inspection queue (15-20 jobs typical)
- Prioritize: First articles, customer returns, hot jobs
- Gather inspection equipment and blueprints
7:30am – First Article Inspection
- New job setup, first piece produced
- Blueprint calls out 25 dimensions including GD&T
- Use: Calipers, micrometers, height gauge, optical comparator
- Time: 1.5 hours to complete thorough inspection
- Document: All measurements on First Article Inspection Report
- Result: One dimension out of tolerance → Reject, send back to machinist
9:00am – In-Process Inspection
- Production run in progress, check 5th piece
- Verify critical dimensions holding
- Record on inspection sheet
- Approve to continue production
10:00am – Customer Return Investigation
- Customer rejected parts for thread issue
- Inspect: Use thread gauges, optical comparator to magnify threads
- Root cause: Thread plug gauge worn, accepted bad threads
- Document: Corrective action report, calibrate thread gauge
- Time: 45 minutes
11:00am – Final Inspection (Lot of 50 Parts)
- Sample inspection per quality plan (10 pieces)
- Check critical dimensions, visual inspection
- All pass, stamp inspector stamp, release to shipping
- Time: 30 minutes
12:00pm – Lunch
1:00pm – CMM Programming
- New aerospace part, complex geometry
- Program CMM to inspect automatically
- Load part, run program, analyze results
- Adjust program for best probe access
- Time: 2 hours (complex part)
3:00pm – Calibration
- Quarterly calibration due on micrometers
- Use gage blocks to verify accuracy
- Document calibration in log
- Time: 30 minutes
3:30pm – Paperwork and Documentation
- Enter inspection results into quality database
- File inspection reports
- Update non-conformance log
4:00pm – End of Day
Physical: Mostly standing (6-8 hours), some sitting for CMM work, lifting parts (10-50 lbs typical)
Stress: Moderate (responsibility for catching defects before they reach customers, but not life-or-death pressure)
Satisfaction: See direct impact of your work (bad parts caught, good parts approved), variety of parts and problems to solve
