Quality Engineer

We are seeking a self-motivated and process-driven Quality Engineer to join our Aerospace & Defense division. This role focuses on managing and improving quality systems, driving continuous improvement initiatives, and ensuring compliance with customer and regulatory requirements. The ideal candidate will work independently, demonstrate strong ownership over their responsibilities, and be more focused on structured process development and oversight than hands-on inspection.
Duties/Responsibilities:

• Interpret engineering drawings and customer specifications to establish quality standards.
• Participate in First Article Inspections (FAI), ISO certification processes, customer audits, and surveillance activities.
• Conduct inspections and review scan data to verify compliance with GD&T and customer-defined standards.
• Oversee inspection frameworks and standards; support inspection personnel through quality planning and systems oversight.
• Review and analyze documentation and products to ensure regulatory and industry compliance.
• Investigate and resolve internal and customer-reported issues, including field returns.
• Lead root cause analysis and develop corrective/preventive actions (CAPA) in response to SCARs and NCRs.
• Conduct internal and external audits and support QMS compliance aligned with ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100 readiness.
• Develop and improve quality processes, procedures, and documentation in support of business objectives and customer requirements.
• Support development or implementation of new Quality Management Systems (QMS), or enhancements to existing systems.
• Collaborate with engineering and program management on quality plans for new proposals and contracts.
• Update and enhance inspection checklists, procedures, and quality policies.
• Coordinate with customers and source inspectors as needed to support audits, inspections, and shipment validations.
• Own and report key quality KPIs.
• Lead the Quality Workspace in Monday.com, including workflow automation, SOP alignment, and dashboard-based KPI reporting.
• Champion process standardization and quality system enhancements with limited supervision.
• Act as a quality lead for system-level initiatives (QMS implementation, SCAR response coordination, and audit planning).
• Serve as the functional lead for customer-facing quality interactions when required, including CAPA oversight and RCA facilitation.
• Support and participate in Kaizen and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Manage inspection hold points and documentation review for shipments requiring enhanced oversight.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements
Required Skills/Abilities:

• Minimum 5 years' experience in Quality Assurance or Quality Control roles within the aerospace and defense sector.
• Strong knowledge of AS9100, ISO 9001, and related quality standards.
• Demonstrated experience in developing, implementing, or improving Quality Management Systems (QMS).
• Proven ability to work independently and drive projects to completion with minimal oversight.
• Experience with quality management software platforms and ERP systems.
• Ability to interpret and apply customer contractual requirements and technical specifications.
• Skilled in interpreting complex engineering drawings and applying GD&T principles.
• Excellent organizational and analytical skills with a focus on compliance, documentation, and traceability.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills for cross-functional collaboration and customer interfacing.
• Familiarity with root cause analysis and problem-solving tools (e.g., 5-Why, Fishbone, CAPA frameworks).Familiarity with Lean/Six Sigma principles (preferred).
• Willingness to travel as needed.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical field required.
• CQE certification preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of quality assurance/control or inspection experience in the aerospace and defense industry.
• Experience developing and improving quality processes and QMS (ISO 9001:2015, AS9100).
• Prior team lead or supervisory experience preferred.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, ERP systems (e.g., TrulinX), CRM platforms (e.g., Monday.com), and document control systems (e.g., Vault).

Physical Requirements:

• May be required to stand for long periods of time.
• May involve some repetitive motions.
• Must be able to lift up to 70 pounds.
• May also engage in frequent bending, stooping, squatting, pushing and pulling of parts and part containers
• Due to the open environment of the shop, must be able to work in various weather and temperature conditions to include extreme heat, humidity and cold.

Salary Range: $90,000-$100,000
Salary Description
$90,000-$100,000