Smiling person in a light blue shirt holding a tablet against a white background
Quality Lab Specialist

Location:

Rockford, Illinois

Posted:

17-Jul-2026

Employment Type:

Direct Hire

Industry:

Industrial & Manufacturing

Job Number:

101525

Pay Rate:

$52,000.00 - $56,160.00 Annual

Job Description

1st Shift | Full-Time 

We are a second-generation, family-owned manufacturer of cold headed and cold formed fasteners. We are ISO 9001:2015 registered and have been serving customers for over 40 years.

We are looking for an experienced, hands-on Quality Lab Specialist to join our 1st shift quality team. This position is not titled as a manager role; however, for the right person, there is opportunity to grow into higher-level quality responsibilities over time.

Fastener, screw, cold heading, or precision component manufacturing experience is strongly preferred.

Position Summary

This role is responsible for supporting daily quality lab functions, product inspection, documentation, calibration, customer requirements, and quality system activities. The ideal candidate understands fastener manufacturing, has strong inspection skills, can work directly with production, and is comfortable helping identify and solve quality issues before they become larger problems.

This is a hands-on position in a small manufacturing environment where accuracy, organization, communication, and follow-through are essential.

Key Responsibilities

  • Perform dimensional and visual inspections on raw material, in-process parts, customer samples, and finished fasteners.
  • Use micrometers, calipers, ring gages, pin gages, optical comparators, thread gages, and other inspection equipment.
  • Inspect parts according to customer prints, specifications, quality procedures, and internal requirements.
  • Accept or reject product based on written standards and inspection results.
  • Perform routine production line checks throughout the facility.
  • Review production records for accuracy and completeness.
  • Maintain inspection records, quality logs, software entries, and required documentation.
  • Support lot traceability, retain samples, customer sample testing, and finished goods documentation.
  • Assist with nonconforming material, quality alerts, customer complaints, corrective actions, and returned goods.
  • Help investigate root cause and support containment, corrective action, and verification activities.
  • Assist with PPAP-related documentation, control plans, process flows, capability data, and customer submissions as experience allows.
  • Support gage calibration, gage inventory, certification tracking, and measurement control records.
  • Assist with internal audits and ISO 9001 quality system requirements.
  • Work closely with production, engineering, shipping, customer service, and management to resolve quality concerns.
  • Help train operators or other employees on inspection expectations and quality standards.
  • Maintain a clean, organized, and professional quality lab.
  • Represent the company professionally during customer visits, audits, and quality discussions.

What We Are Looking For

  • Experience in fastener, screw, cold heading, cold forming, or precision component manufacturing strongly preferred.
  • Strong hands-on inspection experience.
  • Ability to read and interpret prints, specifications, and quality requirements.
  • Familiarity with threaded fasteners, dimensional inspection, gages, and customer-specific requirements.
  • Working knowledge of PPAP, APQP, FMEA, control plans, capability studies, corrective actions, or ISO documentation is helpful.
  • Experience with gage calibration or gage management is a plus.
  • Strong attention to detail and good documentation habits.
  • Ability to communicate clearly with production, quality, management, customers, and vendors.
  • Ability to work independently, stay organized, and manage multiple priorities.
  • Willingness to learn, improve processes, and grow within the quality department.
  • No degree required; relevant manufacturing and fastener experience is valued.
  • 1st Shift
  • Full-Time
  • Monday through Friday
  • Overtime may be required as needed to support production or customer requirements.
  • Follow all safety rules and help support a safe working environment.
  • Perform other related duties as assigned.

What We Offer

  • Competitive pay based on experience
  • Stable 1st shift schedule
  • Small-team environment where your work matters
  • Opportunity to grow into higher-level quality responsibilities
  • Hands-on manufacturing environment
  • Long-term career opportunity with a family-owned company

Check the benefits of working with us at Furst Class Rewards!

Apply Now
Send an email reminder to:
Send
Share this job:
Related Jobs:
SCHEMA MARKUP ( This text will only show on the editor. )

Awards & Affiliations

SHRM Recertification Provider badge with blue-and-white logo and SHRM-CP | SHRM-SCP text

FurstStaffing is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP® recertification activities.

Provided By Credly
Women Owned logo in black with colorful circular icon at center

FurstStaffing is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP® recertification activities.

Provided By Credly

Awards & Affiliations

SHRM Recertification Provider badge in blue and white, labeled SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP

FurstStaffing is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP® recertification activities.

Provided By Credly
Women Owned logo in black with colorful stylized people icon in the center
SIA Staffing Industry Analysts corporate member logo in black, red, and white
ISSA logo with blue letters and Illinois state silhouette, labeled Illinois Search & Staffing Association

FurstStaffing is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP® recertification activities.

Provided By Credly