Quality Lab Lead

Job Title: Quality Lab Lead Job Description
The Quality Lab Lead oversees the daily operations of the quality laboratory and coordinate measuring machine (CMM) schedule, ensuring accurate dimensional inspection and reliable measurement results. This role supervises laboratory technicians and staff, assigns and prioritizes tasks, provides training and guidance, and maintains strict adherence to policies, procedures, and safety standards. The Quality Lab Lead also manages lab documentation, equipment, and tooling while serving as a technical resource for resolving quality issues and supporting cross-functional teams.
Responsibilities
- Coordinate and oversee daily operations of the quality lab to ensure efficient workflow and timely completion of inspections and measurements.
- Manage and maintain the CMM schedule to support production and quality requirements.
- Supervise laboratory technicians and other lab staff, including assigning tasks, monitoring performance, and providing coaching and guidance.
- Train lab technicians on measurement tools, equipment, software, procedures, and safety standards, and maintain detailed records of all training activities.
- Ensure accurate documentation of all lab processes, inspection results, and quality records in accordance with established procedures.
- Troubleshoot equipment malfunctions, diagnose issues, and coordinate necessary repairs with internal resources or external suppliers.
- Manage laboratory supplies, tooling, and instrumentation, including ordering, inventory control, and evaluation of suppliers and equipment.
- Maintain measuring software, including performing or coordinating updates, validating functionality, and providing user training as needed.
- Resolve quality issues by analyzing measurement data and providing technical support and guidance to lab staff and cross-functional teams.
- Oversee coordinate measuring machine operations to ensure dimensional inspection accuracy and compliance with quality standards.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams and suppliers to ensure quality expectations are clearly understood and consistently met.
- Research, recommend, purchase, and implement new tooling, equipment, and fixturing solutions to improve lab capabilities and efficiency.
- Perform measurements using scanners and portable CMMs, including portable arm measuring systems.
- Apply quality documentation and reporting practices to communicate inspection results and support decision-making.
- Support miscellaneous projects and duties as assigned to enhance lab performance and overall quality systems.
Essential Skills
- 3+ years of experience working with CMMs and metrology equipment.
- Strong technical and fixturing background in measurement lab operations or quality systems.
- Proficiency in quality documentation and reporting practices.
- Competency in dimensional inspection, Measurement Systems Analysis (MSA), and quality control procedures.
- Experience with portable arm CMM programming.
- Hands-on experience with scanning and scanner-based measurement systems.
- Knowledge and practical use of measuring tools and measuring equipment in a lab or manufacturing environment.
- Ability to troubleshoot measurement and lab equipment issues and coordinate repairs.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively train and guide lab staff and collaborate with cross-functional teams.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Associate degree strongly preferred, ideally in a technical, engineering, or related discipline.
- Experience with CMM programming, calibration, and portable arm measuring systems.
- background in injection molding environments or similar manufacturing settings.
- Verisurf software knowledge preferred.
- Experience managing laboratory supplies, tooling, and instrumentation, including supplier and equipment evaluation.
- Ability to research, evaluate, and implement new tooling, equipment, and fixturing solutions for lab operations.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to maintaining accurate documentation and records.
- Comfort working in a fast-paced, collaborative, and team-oriented environment.
Work Environment
The quality lab operates within an enclosed space located in the middle of a manufacturing floor, providing close proximity to production activities and equipment. The work environment is fast-paced and highly collaborative, with regular interaction between lab staff, production teams, and other departments. Onsite amenities include a vending area to support team members throughout the day. The culture emphasizes teamwork and engagement, with regular onsite activities, company celebrations, and events such as National Employee Appreciation Week, March Madness brackets with prizes, holiday and theme days, team lunches, and birthday celebrations, creating a supportive and community-oriented atmosphere.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Elk River, MN.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $30.00 - $38.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job
classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be
subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits
available for this temporary role may include the following:

Medical, dental & vision
Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
Short and long-term disability
Health Spending Account (HSA)
Transportation benefits
Employee Assistance Program
Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Elk River,MN.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Oct 22, 2026. About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without
regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,
sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected
by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or
adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,
please email [email protected] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the
city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants
with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a
condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law
shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,
including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications
and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you
acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.