Principal Quality Engineer, Supplier QA

Electra.Aero

$150K — $190K *
Aerospace & Defense
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Minimum of 10 years in aerospace quality engineering or supplier quality within OEM or Tier 1/Tier 2 settings.
  • Expertise in 14 CFR Part 21 and FAA Type and Production Certification processes.
  • Proficient in First Article Inspection (AS9102) and related inspection processes.
  • Hands-on experience with supplier quality assurance, including audits and documentation evaluation.
  • Able to apply RCCA and Six Sigma/Lean techniques for production scaling efforts.
  • Willingness to travel to multiple manufacturing sites as required.
  • Strong communication skills suited for a fast-paced, startup environment.

Responsibilities

  • Represent Electra's quality department in all site interactions and meetings.
  • Support FAA certification efforts at headquarters and future manufacturing locations.
  • Collaborate across departments through audits and provide status reports.
  • Develop and maintain a compliant 14 CFR 21.137 Quality Management System.
  • Aid in creating and managing the Approved Supplier List per FAA requirements.
  • Support supplier selection processes and conduct on-site audits.
  • Implement strategies for predictive quality using RCCA and Lean methodologies.

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance; STD, LTD, and life insurance.
  • Generous PTO, sick leave, and company holidays.
  • Paid winter break for employees.
  • 401(k) with immediate vesting benefits.
  • Complimentary catered lunches, coffee, snacks, and drinks at headquarters.
  • Free on-site parking for employees.
Full Job Description
The Role

As our Principal Quality Engineer, Supplier QA Support, you'll hold dual responsibility within Electra's Quality organization: supporting our FAA Part 23 Type and Production Certification quality efforts, and leading supplier quality assurance across our procurement and manufacturing base. You'll represent Quality in meetings, on-site audits, and evaluations with Procurement, Suppliers, Manufacturing, Production, and Engineering - and you'll be a steady, professional presence for the department across every site and interaction.

You'll support the build-out of a 14 CFR 21.137-compliant Quality Management System, including First Article Inspection, and help stand up the supplier quality infrastructure - audits, documentation review, and an Approved Supplier List - that Electra needs as we scale from Manassas, VA to our future manufacturing site in Springfield, OH.

What You'll Do
  • Uphold Electra's goals, objectives, and policies in a professional manner across all locations, and represent Electra and the Quality department positively in every interaction
  • Support Quality's FAA Part 23 Type and Production Certification efforts at our Manassas, VA headquarters and future Springfield, OH manufacturing site, as needed
  • Partner with Procurement, Supplier, Manufacturing, Production, and Engineering teams through meetings, on-site audits, and evaluations, providing feedback and periodic status reporting using Electra's standard reporting tools and methods
  • Support development, documentation, implementation, and maintenance of a compliant 14 CFR 21.137 Quality Management System, including First Article Inspections (FAI), and help prevent non-conforming parts, articles, and defects while maintaining a safety- and quality-first presence at all times
  • Support development, documentation, implementation, and maintenance of a compliant AS9100D / AS9102 quality system as company objectives require
  • Provide strategic supplier quality support throughout the supplier selection process, including on-site audits, evaluation of supplier-provided documentation and certifications, and creation and management of an Approved Supplier List (ASL) per FAA Type and Production Certification requirements
  • Support company, supplier, and FAA conformity inspections as needed
  • Own predictive quality and rate-scaling efforts, applying Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) procedures and Six Sigma / Lean techniques to support Manufacturing and Production rate-increase milestones and objectives
  • Provide other Quality support as needed

What You Bring
  • 10+ years of aerospace quality engineering, supplier quality, or airworthiness experience within an OEM or Tier 1/Tier 2 manufacturing environment
  • Working knowledge of 14 CFR Part 21, including 21.137 Quality Management System requirements, and Part 23 Type and Production Certification processes
  • Experience with First Article Inspection (AS9102) and conformity/inspection processes
  • Supplier quality assurance experience, including on-site audits, supplier documentation evaluation, and Approved Supplier List (ASL) management
  • Experience applying Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) and Six Sigma / Lean methodologies to support production rate scaling
  • Willingness to travel to and support multiple sites, including Manassas, VA and Springfield, OH
  • Strong cross-functional communication skills and comfort operating in a fast-paced, pre-production startup environment
  • US Person (Citizen or Permanent Resident) required

Bonus Points
  • Experience implementing or maintaining an AS9100D-compliant quality system
  • Direct experience with FAA delegated-authority functions (DAR, DMIR, or DER)
  • Experience with novel Means of Compliance for Advanced Air Mobility or eVTOL programs
  • Six Sigma / Lean Manufacturing certification

Compensation

$150,000 - $190,000 annually. This range reflects the anticipated hiring range across all eligible locations; actual compensation is determined based on your relevant experience, skills, and geographic location. Total compensation includes performance bonus and comprehensive benefits.

What We Offer
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance; STD, LTD, and life insurance
  • Generous PTO, sick leave, and company holidays
  • Paid winter break
  • 401(k) with immediate vesting
  • Free catered lunches, coffee, snacks, and drinks at our Manassas headquarters
  • Free on-site parking

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