POSITION SUMMARYThe Quality Engineering Leader directs the quality engineering function across manufacturing and assembly operations, with a focus on aerospace and jet engine products. This position is accountable for implementing, maintaining, and continuously improving the Quality Management System (QMS), ensuring compliance with customer, regulatory, and internal requirements. The leader coaches a team of quality engineers and drives a proactive, data-driven quality culture across the organization.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES- Lead a team of quality engineers supporting manufacturing, assembly, and inspection activities across all product lines.
- Own and maintain the AS9100-compliant Quality Management System, including internal audits, management reviews, and corrective/preventive action programs.
- Establish quality plans, control plans, inspection and test procedures, and acceptance criteria for new and production programs.
- Serve as the primary quality interface with customers, regulatory authorities (FAA, EASA), and OEM partners during audits, source inspections, and program reviews.
- Lead Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), Process Capability Studies, Statistical Process Control (SPC), and Design of Experiments (DOE) activities.
- Drive systematic root cause and corrective action (RCCA) investigations for escapes, field returns, customer complaints, and non-conforming material.
- Collaborate with manufacturing engineering and design engineering to review and approve process changes, first article inspections (FAI/AS9102), and production submissions.
- Manage supplier quality activities, including supplier qualification, audits, and corrective action requests.
- Develop and track quality KPIs: first pass yield, cost of poor quality (COPQ), defect density, on-time closure of CARs, and customer satisfaction metrics.
- Champion continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, and other methodologies to reduce variation and improve product and process quality.
QUALIFICATIONS- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality Management, or a related technical discipline; advanced degree a plus.
- Minimum 10 years of quality engineering experience, with at least 4 years in a leadership capacity within aerospace, defense, or jet engine manufacturing.
- Deep expertise in AS9100 Rev D, NADCAP, FAA regulatory requirements (Part 21, Part 145), and APQP/PPAP processes.
- Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or Quality Manager (CQM) through ASQ strongly preferred; Six Sigma Black Belt a plus.
- Proficiency in quality tools: FMEA, SPC, MSA, 8D, A3, RCCA methodologies.
- Experience with jet engine MRO, overhaul, or OEM production environments highly desirable.
- Strong analytical skills, with experience using Minitab, quality management software, or equivalent.
- Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management abilities.
