Metrology Technologist – Quality Gate Technician

Caterpillar Caterpillar · Industrial · Mossville, IL

This role is a Metrology Technologist – Quality Gate Technician at Caterpillar, focusing on ensuring product quality and accuracy through in-process and final dimensional inspections. Responsibilities include validating documentation, interpreting engineering drawings, using precision inspection equipment, identifying non-conforming conditions, maintaining records, and collaborating with manufacturing, quality, and engineering teams to drive resolution and support root cause analysis. The role emphasizes problem-solving, blueprint interpretation, precision measurement, and attention to detail in a manufacturing environment.

What you'd actually do

  1. Perform in-process and final dimensional inspections at Quality Gates prior to release to downstream operations.
  2. Validate all workflow requirements, documentation, and work orders are complete and compliant before part release.
  3. Interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and GD&T to ensure part conformance.
  4. Utilize precision inspection equipment including: Calipers, micrometers (OD/ID), bore gages, tri-mics, Height gages, tape measures, and surface finish equipment
  5. Identify and document non-conforming conditions, initiate containment, and escalate issues as needed.

Skills

Required

  • Perform in-process and final dimensional inspections
  • Validate workflow requirements, documentation, and work orders
  • Interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and GD&T
  • Utilize precision inspection equipment (Calipers, micrometers, bore gages, tri-mics, height gages, tape measures, surface finish equipment)
  • Identify and document non-conforming conditions
  • Maintain inspection records and traceability documentation
  • Partner with machinists, engineers, and leadership to communicate quality concerns and drive resolution
  • Support root cause analysis
  • Ensure inspection tools and work areas are clean, calibrated, and organized
  • Proven problem-solving skills
  • Effective communication skills
  • Blueprint Interpretation
  • Mathematical Application (advanced shop math, geometry, tolerances, gauges)
  • Attention to Detail
  • Collaboration

Nice to have

  • An accredited degree from a two-year or four-year educational program.
  • Strong background in blueprint reading, precision measurement, and tolerance control.
  • Experience in quality inspection or precision measurement environments.
  • Strong working knowledge of Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T) and blueprint interpretation.
  • Experience using handheld precision measurement tools and inspection equipment.

What the JD emphasized

  • Quality Gates
  • zero-defect manufacturing
  • advanced precision measurement tools and technologies
  • Blueprint Interpretation
  • quality standards and accuracy
  • precision measurement
  • tolerance control
  • quality inspection
  • Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T)