Miguel Angel Valenzuela
Northrop Grumman
Los Angeles,CA
2
Languages
1
Certification
20
years of professional experience
Highly skilled Lead Flight Inspector and CMM Programmer with 15+ years of experience in aerospace manufacturing, composite layup inspection, and precision metrology, progressing from Composite Layup Technician and inspector roles to leading a team of 15 inspectors. Deep hands-on experience in composite layup, dimensional inspection, and First Article Inspection (FAI). Expert in advanced measurement systems (CMM, Laser Trackers, Articulated Arms) and high-tolerance CNC machining support. Proven track record in driving product conformance, supporting AS9100/ISO 9001 quality systems, mentoring inspection teams, and collaborating with engineering, manufacturing, and mission assurance. Active U.S. Government Top Secret / SCI clearance.
Work History
Lead Flight Inspector 4
7 Years 1 Month- Lead day-to-day operations for a team of 15 inspectors, including assigning work, setting priorities, and ensuring inspection coverage aligns with production, value stream, and program objectives.
- Execute high-precision dimensional inspections of spacecraft components using Zeiss CMM and Calypso software, ensuring compliance with engineering requirements, customer specifications, and AS9100/ISO 9001 quality standards.
- Program and operate Romer Arms with PC-DMIS to verify critical flight hardware conformance, supporting both development and production.
- Perform complex optical and touch-probe measurements utilizing Zeiss O-Inspect and Avant Video Systems to validate tight-tolerance features on flight hardware.
- Collaborate daily with machinists, manufacturing engineers, mission assurance, and production quality engineering to validate tight-tolerance parts during CNC machining, resolve nonconformances, and prevent escapes.
- Analyze engineering blueprints and 3D models to ensure 100% requirement compliance for sensitive aerospace assemblies, and to clarify requirements and inspection strategies for the inspection team.
- Support quality investigations by providing detailed measurement data and participating in root cause analysis and corrective actions for NCs, and CAs.
- Review inspection results and trends to identify recurring defects and process misses, and recommend improvements to inspection methods, fixturing, and processes.
- Develop and deliver training on inspection techniques, GD&T, and advanced metrology equipment to inspectors and technicians.
Lead CMM Inspector
4 Years 9 Months- Led dimensional inspection operations utilizing Faro/Leica Laser Trackers and Articulated Arms for composite aerospace structures, ensuring products met drawing, model, and quality requirements.
- Performed composite layup and cure inspections, including ply orientation, fiber alignment, edge conditions, and documentation of layup records to support production quality and customer/NADCAP requirements.
- Managed tooling inspections against CATIA/IGES/STEP digital models to maintain high-accuracy production fixtures and support stable, repeatable processes.
- Supervised in-process and final inspections for composite aerospace structures, balancing work across the inspection team to meet schedule and quality objectives.
- Created and maintained detailed inspection reports and measurement data packages for internal stakeholders and customer review.
- Provided on-the-job training to manufacturing technicians and inspectors on CMM and laser tracker use, measurement techniques, layup inspection criteria, and quality expectations, helping to build a more capable and flexible inspection team.
CMM Inspector / Senior Inspector
5 Years 1 Month- Performed precision data collection and created detailed inspection reports and bitmaps using CMM, Romer Arm, and Laser Trackers to support production and development programs.
- Utilized handheld scanner systems for complex surface inspections and reverse engineering support.
- Developed and uploaded First Article Inspection (FAI) reports via Net-Inspect software, ensuring accurate documentation and traceability in line with customer and regulatory requirements.
- Trained manufacturing technicians to perform Operator Verification (OV) inspections as approved by the customer, increasing throughput and reducing inspection bottlenecks.
- Conducted Source Inspections and verified dimensional accuracy across Visual, Mechanical, and Assembly departments, supporting customer representatives and internal quality assurance.
- Supported nonconformance investigations by providing detailed measurement data and participating in problem-solving activities with engineering and quality teams.
Composite Layup Technician
2 Years 10 Months- Performed composite layup operations for aerospace components, including tool preparation, ply cutting, ply orientation, and bagging in accordance with engineering specifications and shop instructions.
- Verified layup quality through in-process inspection of ply sequences, fiber alignment, FOD, and defect conditions prior to cure, escalating issues to quality and engineering as required.
- Prepared and maintained layup records, traveler entries, and production documentation to ensure full traceability and compliance with customer and quality requirements.
- Collaborated closely with inspectors, engineers, and production supervisors to resolve layup-related issues and support on-time delivery of composite parts.
Education
General Education
General Education
High School Diploma
Skills
Quality & Compliance: AS9100 / ISO 9001 execution
Quality Management Systems (QMS)
nonconformance (NC)
FAI
source inspection
audit preparation and support
Leadership & Team Management: Lead flight inspector for a team of 15 inspectors; daily workload and priority management
performance coaching
training program development; cross-functional collaboration with engineering
manufacturing
mission assurance
and production quality engineering
Metrology & Inspection: CMM
Faro/Leica Laser Trackers
Romer/Faro Articulated Arms
Zeiss O-Inspect Multisensor
Avant Video Measurement
surface plate inspection
Composite & Technician Experience: Composite layup and cure inspection
ply orientation verification
fiber alignment
bagging and cure support
technician-level production experience
Software: Calypso
Verisurf
PC-DMIS
CATIA
CREO
Net-Inspect
Technical Skills: GD&T
blueprint reading
3D model analysis
CNC machining support
composite structures
Certification
Verisurf Software Training | Verisurf 3D Measurement Solutions 12/2024
Calypso Advanced Training | Carl Zeiss Industrial Metrology, LLC 07/2022
Calypso Basic Training | Carl Zeiss Industrial Metrology, LLC 06/2022
PC-DMIS for Arms Scanning | Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence 09/2020
PC-DMIS for Arms | Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence 09/2020
PC-DMIS for CMM 201 | Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence 07/2017
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Spanish
Professional Working
Timeline
Lead Flight Inspector 4
Northrop Grumman
09.2019 - CurrentRead More
Lead CMM Inspector
AVCORP Composite Fabrication
12.2014 - 09.2019Read More
CMM Inspector / Senior Inspector
HITCO Carbon Composites
11.2009 - 12.2014Read More
Composite Layup Technician
HITCO Carbon Composites
01.2007 - 11.2009Read More
California State University, Northridge (CSUN)
General Education
Read More
Los Angeles Trade Technical College (LATTC)
General Education
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William Howard Taft High School
High School Diploma
Read More