2nd Shift Quality Technician I, (Aerospace Lab)
Howmet Aerospace · Torrance, CA
- Level
- Technician
- Team
- Quality
- Experience asked
- 1+ years
- Industry
- Aerospace & defense
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A technician-level quality role at Howmet Aerospace (aerospace & defense) in Torrance, CA.
- They ask for
- 1+ years
- Tools it names
- EHS / safety
- Day to day
- some off-shift / weekend coverage
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Quality Technician roles in the US: typical posted base $52k–$75k.
Median of the low and high ends of 26 live postings that list pay, out of 528 quality technician openings in the US, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
California plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 49 other live quality postings in California.
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (1+ vs 4+)
Similar roles usually ask 4+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- Team leadership 38%
- Root cause 36%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for EHS / safety, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.
At a glance
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 Howmet Aerospace
We found 4 people at this company and state: 3 in this kind of role, 1 leaders. Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. See 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.
Write to Edith → (free) - 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 does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
- 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.
This plant: Howmet Aerospace in Torrance
5 other open roles at this site · 4 people we found in quality roles at Howmet Aerospace.
- Senior Manager, Continuous Improvement, Capital Projects and Infracstructure · Lean / CI · Manager
- Continuous Improvement Manager · Lean / CI · Manager
- Sr Quality Engineer (Aerospace) · Quality · Senior
- Manufacturing Engineer (Inserts) · Manufacturing
- Sr Manufacturing Engineer (Panels) · Manufacturing · Senior
Full description from Howmet AerospaceAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Responsibilities
- ◆Inspection Equipment: Uses precision inspection tools and equipment, including calipers, micrometers, and optical comparators, to verify product acceptance.
- ◆Laboratory Testing: Cuts, grinds, and polishes samples for mount preparation and cleans and prepares samples for salt spray and high-humidity testing. Additional laboratory testing: torque testing of fasteners to specification and tensile testing.
- ◆Blueprints & Specifications: Uses manufacturing drawings (blueprints), work instructions, routers, standards, specifications, and sampling plans to determine product acceptance.
- ◆Cross-Training: Maintains a basic understanding of receiving, MRB, and other inspection processes and performs additional duties as part of cross-training and employee development.
- ◆Safety & Compliance: Maintains a clean, safe, and orderly work area and follows all applicable safety procedures and requirements.
- ◆Other Duties: Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- ✓High School Diploma or GED required.
- ✓0-1 years of quality experience.
- ✓Ability to read and interpret blueprints, work instructions, procedures, and specifications in English.
- ✓Basic shop math skills.
- ✓Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Excel and Word.
- ✓Ability to use or be trained in precision inspection tools, including calipers and micrometers.
- ✓Basic understanding of MRB and quality processes.
- ✓Ability to communicate effectively with Engineering, Manufacturing, Planning, and other departments.
- ✓Ability to write routine reports and follow instructions.
- ✓Detail-oriented with strong accuracy and organizational skills.
- ✓Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- ✓Must be able to pass required vision testing and lift/move up to 30 pounds regularly.
- ✓Must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Summary
Prepare metallurgical mounts and maintain tractability and assist with physical and mechanical testing in the lab. Use precision inspection tools and equipment, manufacturing drawings (blueprints), and established procedures to verify product conformance to specifications and requirements.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
The employee is responsible for maintaining fitness-for-duty while holding the above-described position and should be able to perform the essential tasks of the position in a safe, appropriate and effective manner. This refers to the physical, mental and emotional duties of the job.
- •Must be able to lift/move 30 lbs. (may not exceed per EHS policies)
- •Must be able to stand for long periods of time
- •Reaching above and below, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and bending.
- •Need to be able to wear safety steel toe shoes and walk around shop floor environment as needed.
- •Be able to remove dangling jewelry for shop floor assigned tasks, and wear hearing protection as needed.
Benefits/Salary
The position includes competitive wages and a comprehensive benefits package available day one of hire, including health insurance (medical, dental, vision), excellent 401k matching program, paid holidays and vacation. Howmet Aerospace curates a strong working environment through opportunities for career progression, community engagement activities, and flexible schedules contingent upon role and location. The salary range for this position is $22-$24/hr.
Our Story
Howmet Aerospace Inc. (NYSE: HWM), headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a leading global provider of advanced engineered solutions for the aerospace and transportation industries. Our primary businesses focus on jet engine components, aerospace fastening systems, titanium structural parts and forged wheels. With $8.3 Billion in revenue in 2025, our products play a crucial role in enabling fuel efficiency and lightweighting, contributing to our customers’ success and making a positive impact on the world. To learn more about the way Howmet Aerospace Inc. is advancing the sustainability of our customers, markets, and communities where we operate, review the 2025 Environmental Social and Governance report at www.howmet.com/esg-report . Follow: LinkedIn , Twitter , Instagram , Facebook , and YouTube .