Principal Quality Technician - Metrology & Measurement Systems

ZF LIFETEC · Arizona City, AZ

Level: Technician
Team: Quality
Degree: Required
Experience asked: 60+ years
Industry: Industrial
Posted: Recently

The role in 30 seconds

A technician-level quality role at ZF LIFETEC (industrial) in Arizona City, AZ. Own advanced CMM programming, develop innovative inspection strategies, solve complex manufacturing challenges, and provide the measurement expertise that guides critical business decisions.

They ask for: 60+ years · degree required
Tools it names: Root cause, MSA / Gage R&R, GD&T, Supplier quality, Automation
Day to day: relocation help

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026

Quality Technician roles in the US: typical posted base $50k–$70k.

Median of the low and high ends of 23 live postings that list pay, out of 488 quality technician openings in the US, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.

Arizona plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →

How this role compares

Against 14 other live quality postings in Arizona.

Experience asked: More than usual (60+ vs 3+)

Skills these teams ask for most

FDA / GMP 53%
Control plans 27%
Team leadership 20%
SAP 20%
✓ GD&T 20%
✓ Root cause 20%

✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.

Stands out: this posting asks for MSA / Gage R&R, Supplier quality, Automation, New product launch, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.

It asks for 60+ years. If you're close, apply anyway: requirements are a wish list. Talk to someone doing this work there first.

At a glance

Relocation help

Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.

How to get in at this plant

Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.

1
Pick 2–3 people on the Quality team at ZF LIFETEC
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Which standards drive the work here: ISO 13485, IATF 16949, AS9100?
- How much of the job is customer complaints versus prevention?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.

Full description from ZF LIFETECAs posted on their careers site.Show

What You'll Do

As the site's metrology and measurement systems expert, you'll play a critical role in ensuring accurate, data-driven decision making across manufacturing operations. You will:

◆Lead CMM programming, dimensional metrology, and measurement system activities across the facility.
◆Develop and optimize CMM and vision system programs, measurement plans, and inspection strategies.
◆Serve as the technical subject matter expert for GD&T, dimensional analysis, and measurement methodologies.
◆Support new product launches by developing inspection plans, validating measurement systems, and implementing new metrology equipment.
◆Provide technical leadership, training, and mentoring to quality and manufacturing teams.
◆Support calibration systems, receiving inspection activities, MSA studies, and quality system initiatives.
◆Partner with Engineering, Production, Supplier Quality, and Operations teams to improve quality, capability, and manufacturing performance.

Qualifications

✓High School Diploma or GED required; Associate's degree in a technical field preferred.
✓5+ years of experience in manufacturing quality, metrology, measurement systems, or inspection.
✓5+ years of hands-on CMM programming experience.
✓Experience in automotive, aerospace, medical device, electronics, or other highly regulated manufacturing environments preferred.
✓ASQ certification or related quality/metrology certifications are a plus.

Requirements

ZF LIFETEC Mesa Operations' screening process includes a 10 panel substance abuse screening test that includes testing for THC, ATF lifetime background check, and verification of employment eligibility.

U.S. Citizenship or U.S. Permanent Resident status is required.

Relocation assistance is not available for this position.

Be part of our ZF Lifetec team as Principal Product and Process Quality Technician and apply now!

Contact

Kim Perez

+1 480 944 7625

kim.perez@zf-lifetec.com

Show full description ↓

Req ID 73536 | OSS Mesa, United States ZF Passive Safety Systems US Inc.

Principal Quality Technician - Metrology & Measurement SystemsMesa, Arizona

Are You a Technical Leader?

Precision matters. Data matters. And the people who know how to turn both into meaningful action are invaluable.

This is an opportunity to lead the technical direction of metrology and measurement systems within a high-volume manufacturing environment. You'll own advanced CMM programming, develop innovative inspection strategies, solve complex manufacturing challenges, and provide the measurement expertise that guides critical business decisions.

Success in this role comes from curiosity, attention to detail, and a relentless drive to understand why problems occur and how to prevent them from happening again. If you're motivated by ownership, technical excellence, and continuous improvement, you'll find significant opportunity to make your mark here.

Who we are

At ZF LIFETEC, we save lives through cutting-edge technology. With more than 60 years of automotive safety innovation, we combine the agility of a growing technology company with the stability and global reach of an industry leader. Across 51 locations in 22 countries, our teams are united by a common purpose: making roads safer and protecting lives.

Our Mesa, Arizona facility is a highly automated manufacturing operation that produces lifesaving airbag inflators for some of the world's leading automotive manufacturers. Using advanced automation, precision manufacturing, and rigorous quality standards, we deliver safety-critical products that people rely on every day, often without ever realizing it.

What You'll Bring

•Advanced CMM programming experience required.
•Strong communication, collaboration, and technical leadership skills.
•Strong expertise in dimensional metrology, measurement systems, and inspection planning.
•Ability to read and interpret complex engineering drawings and GD&T requirements.
•Experience developing measurement strategies, probing plans, and inspection methodologies.
•Experience supporting continuous improvement, quality investigations, and manufacturing process optimization.
•Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a passion for root cause analysis and data-driven decision-making is a plus.
•Experience with vision systems and calibration management software is a plus.

Why You'll Love This Role

•Own and shape the future of metrology and measurement systems for the facility.
•Serve as the plant's CMM programming and measurement systems expert.
•Solve complex manufacturing and quality challenges using data and analysis.
•Lead projects from problem identification through implementation and measurable results.
•Work cross-functionally with Engineering, Operations, Production, and Quality teams.
•Make a visible impact on quality, process capability, and operational performance.

Additional

Diversity commitment

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are more than just words for us. They are at the core of the ZF Way that propels our team members towards their utmost success. We strive to build and nurture a culture where inclusiveness is a natural reflex. We actively seek ways to remove barriers so that every member of ZF can rise to their full potential. We aim to embed this in our legacy through how we operate and build our products as we shape next generation mobility, safety, sustainability and social justice.

With four generations across 118 nationalities in 41 countries, ZF combines a unique variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and ideas. Together, we solve problems, drive innovation and shape next generation mobility.

If you are interested in applying for employment with us and are in need of accommodation or special assistance to navigate our website or to complete your application, please contact us. Reque