NPI Quality Technician

Job Title: NPI Quality Technician Job Description
The NPI Quality Technician plays a hands-on role in inspection, measurement, and product qualification activities during new product introduction. This position works closely with NPI Engineering, Product Engineering, Supplier Quality, and contract manufacturing partners to ensure that incoming materials, components, and initial production builds meet established engineering specifications and acceptance criteria. The role offers the opportunity to contribute directly to innovative clean technology products and to support the full lifecycle of NPI builds from prototypes through production qualification.
Responsibilities
- Perform incoming quality control (IQC) inspections of materials and components against engineering drawings, specifications, and Critical-to-Quality (CTQ) requirements to verify conformance.
- Conduct first article inspections (FAI), including dimensional, visual, and functional checks of first articles, and document all results against approved specifications.
- Support NPI build activities such as engineering prototypes, pilot builds, and EVT/DVT/PVT phases through detailed inspections, sample collection, and coordination of required tests.
- Use inspection equipment, electrical test instruments, and mechanical measurement tools to verify product conformity and ensure accurate and traceable measurements.
- Prepare clear and complete inspection reports, maintain traceable measurement records, and document nonconformances while tracking open inspection issues to closure.
- Collaborate with NPI Engineering and cross-functional teams to support defect investigations, verify corrective actions, and ensure effective resolution of quality issues.
- Provide inspection feedback to help improve work instructions, inspection methods, and manufacturing processes, contributing to ongoing process improvement.
- Apply knowledge of PCBA inspection practices, including IPC-610 standards, to evaluate printed circuit board assemblies and cable assemblies for quality and reliability.
- Interpret mechanical drawings and specifications to plan and perform accurate dimensional measurements and inspections.
- Handle varying tasks in a dynamic NPI environment, adjusting priorities as needed to support evolving project and build requirements.
Essential Skills
- Approximately 3 years of hands-on experience in a quality or process engineering role, with the ability to work independently and be self-sufficient in daily tasks.
- Strong proficiency in reading and interpreting mechanical drawings and engineering documentation.
- Demonstrated ability to perform precise dimensional measurements using mechanical measurement tools such as calipers.
- Experience using electrical test instruments, including devices such as Fluke meters and voltmeters, to verify product performance and conformity.
- Practical experience with PCBA inspection, with familiarity with IPC-610 standards considered a very important requirement.
- Ability to support first article inspection activities and document findings in a clear, structured manner.
- Comfort working with cable assemblies and electronic components in a production or NPI environment.
- Smart, adaptable, and quick learner who can handle varying tasks and quickly understand new products and processes.
- Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with engineering, supplier quality, and manufacturing partners.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to maintaining accurate, traceable measurement and inspection records.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Direct NPI experience is beneficial but not strictly required; candidates with strong quality or process engineering backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
- Experience supporting EVT, DVT, and PVT builds or similar product development phases is an advantage.
- Familiarity with first article inspection methodologies and documentation best practices.
- Exposure to process improvement initiatives, including feedback on work instructions and inspection methods.
- Comfort working in a fast-paced clean technology environment and supporting innovative hardware products.
- Interest in long-term opportunities, as strong performance could lead to contract extension and potential conversion to a permanent role.
Work Environment
This position is based fully onsite, five days per week, at a modern facility in San Jose. The role supports new product introduction activities for clean technology hardware, with regular interaction with NPI Engineering, Product Engineering, Supplier Quality, and contract manufacturing partners. Work involves frequent use of inspection equipment, mechanical measurement tools such as calipers, and electrical test instruments including Fluke meters and voltmeters, as well as handling PCBAs and cable assemblies. The environment is collaborative, hands-on, and fast paced, with a strong focus on quality, continuous improvement, and cross-functional communication. The project is currently scheduled for a duration of approximately 6 to 12 months, with potential for extension and possible conversion to a permanent role based on performance and business needs. Attire is typically standard professional or lab-appropriate clothing suitable for a technical manufacturing and inspection setting.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of Fremont, CA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $30.00 - $45.00/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)
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of Fremont, CA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Nov 2, 2026.
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Fremont,CA. 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.