About This Role

The Quality Engineer supports aerospace and defense programs by applying Quality Engineering principles, materials expertise, and disciplined systems thinking within an AS9100-regulated environment. This role contributes to mission-critical product development and production readiness through quality planning, risk mitigation, root cause and corrective action, data-driven decision making, and compliance with customer, regulatory, and contract requirements. Assignments involve moderately complex defense and aerospace hardware requiring independent execution and cross-functional coordination.

Responsibilities:
• Review customer contracts and technical data packages (TDPs) for simple to moderately complex aerospace/defense programs; perform requirements analysis and documentation using compliance matrices.
• Develop Quality Plans, QA Directives, Inspection Plans, and other contractually required quality artifacts aligned with AS9100 and customer requirements.
• Collaborate with Supplier Quality Engineering to address supplier escapes, source inspection, and flow-down of requirements to the supply base.
• Maintain direct communication with customer Quality Assurance representatives, including DCMA, prime contractors, or government quality contacts as applicable.
• Define inspection and test requirements using industry-standard tools, techniques, and acceptance criteria appropriate for aerospace hardware.
• Participate in engineering design reviews focusing on Design for Manufacturability, Design for Inspection, Design for Reliability, and overall DFX compliance.
• Support or lead root cause investigations (5-Why, fishbone, 8D, DMAIC) to address nonconformances, flight hardware deviations, or field returns.
• Perform MRB activities including nonconformance evaluation, disposition (permitted by delegation), and defect trend analysis.
• Contribute to Program Management reviews, risk assessments, and Earned Value Management (EVM) tasks associated with project quality elements.
• Support Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL) development, verification, and on-time delivery of quality-related deliverables (QAPs, FAI reports, control plans, audit results).
• Assist in defining and improving fabrication processes, special processes (e.g., heat treat, coatings, bonding), and build standards for aerospace materials and assemblies.
• Interface with engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and configuration management to ensure compliance with AS9100, customer specifications, and internal procedures.
• Provide status updates to the Cost Account Manager and may perform CAM duties for small or mid-level work packages.
• Support cost and effort estimating for quality tasks on proposals or follow-on programs.

Qualifications
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio).
• Working knowledge of statistical methods (SPC, capability analysis, sampling plans); experience with Minitab or equivalent preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for interaction with customers, suppliers, auditors, and cross-functional teams.
• Ability to interpret aerospace drawings, material specifications, schematics, processes, and inspection requirements.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills aligned with structured aerospace quality methodologies.
• Ability to organize and prioritize tasks across multiple programs in a schedule-driven environment.
• Comfortable working both independently and in integrated product teams (IPTs).
• Curiosity, critical thinking, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
• Knowledge of aerospace manufacturing processes, materials behavior, and inspection/test techniques.
• Familiarity with AS9100, ISO 9001, NADCAP special process concepts, and standard quality tools (RCCA, PFMEA, control plans).
• Experience with Oracle ERP or other aerospace ERP/MRP systems is a plus.

Experience
• 2-5 years of experience in Quality Engineering, Materials Engineering, or related fields within an AS9100 or ISO9001 aerospace/defense manufacturing environment. (QEII)
• 5-9 years of experience in Quality Engineering, Materials Engineering, or related fields within an AS9100 or ISO9001 aerospace/defense manufacturing environment. (QEIII)
• Six Sigma certification (Green Belt or Black Belt) preferred.
• Experience with MRB, FAI, or defense/aerospace customer interactions (DCMA, primes) is beneficial.