Job Title: Quality Assurance and Control SpecialistJob Location: Ottawa, ONJob Code: 40475Job Schedule: Day ShiftCompensation Range: Between $67,000 - $117,000 CDN annuallyA Quality Control/Quality Assurance (QA/QC) Specialist ensures that hardware components and assemblies meet rigorous military, regulatory, and contractual standards throughout their lifecycle. They perform detailed inspections while also auditing quality processes to ensure consistent compliance with specifications and traceability requirements. The role includes documenting nonconformances, leading root cause and corrective action efforts, performing internal QMS audits, documentation review and verifying and managing the effectiveness of quality systems. Close coordination with manufacturing, supply chain, project management and engineering teams is essential to maintain high-reliability standards required for mission-critical systems.
Essential Functions: - The QA/QC Specialist is accountable for maintaining and improving the organization's Quality Management System in alignment with ISO 9001 and applicable defense or industry standards. This includes reviewing and controlling documented procedures, work instructions, and quality records to ensure accuracy, consistency, and compliance.
- Reviewing controlled documentation to ensure adherence to the required standards/requirements.
- A significant portion of the role is dedicated to audit and compliance activities. The incumbent plans and conducts internal audits across business functions and supports external audits conducted by customers and regulatory authorities. This includes ensuring that audit findings are properly documented, communicated, and resolved within established timelines. Close coordination with stakeholders is required to drive corrective actions and ensure sustained compliance with contractual, regulatory, and internal requirements.
- Performs contract reviews in relation to product quality requirements;
- Notifies management of quality/compliance trends and service failures;
- Advises personnel within the company on matters concerning quality assurance, codes, standards, and programs.
- In a timely manner, performs inspection and verification activities throughout the product lifecycle. This includes incoming inspection of materials and components, in-process verification, final product acceptance/outgoing inspection and source inspection. The specialist validates compliance against engineering drawings, technical data packages, and contractual requirements, ensuring that all deliverables meet defined specifications.
- Identifying, documenting, and controlling non-conforming material, as well as supporting root cause analysis and corrective and preventive actions. Trend analysis is performed to identify systemic issues, and findings are communicated to management to support data-driven decision-making and risk mitigation.
- The role may also involve participation in testing, verification, and validation activities, including support for First Article Inspection (FAI) and other qualification processes. Accurate and detailed documentation of inspection results, test data, and traceability records is required to ensure full audit readiness and product accountability.
- Additionally, the QA/QC Specialist supports hardware configuration management activities by verifying product configuration integrity and ensuring alignment with approved baselines. This function is essential in maintaining traceability and compliance within controlled defense programs.
- The role requires active participation in updating policies and training materials to reflect evolving regulatory requirements and operational practices.
- Responds to customer issues, inquiries and audit requirements with appropriate sense of urgency and business criticality;
- Collaboration is a key element of the role, as the specialist works closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Program Management teams to resolve quality issues, improve processes, and ensure consistent adherence to standards. The position also serves as a point of contact for customer quality inquiries, responding with appropriate urgency and professionalism.
- Potential domestic travel: 5 - 10%
Qualifications: - High School Diploma (or equivalent) with 8+ years of relevant experience, OR Post-secondary diploma/Associate degree with 4+ years of related experience in quality control or inspection;
- Demonstrated experience in quality inspection within regulated industries (defense, aerospace, nuclear, or similar) is strongly preferred;
- Exceptional attention to detail is required, with a demonstrated ability to consistently identify discrepancies, ensure accuracy, and maintain strict compliance in highly regulated environments;
- Experience in electronic or electro-mechanical systems inspection;
- Strong ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and technical documentation;
- Solid understanding of quality management systems (e.g., ISO 9001); familiarity with military or nuclear standards is an asset;
- Working knowledge of configuration management principles and traceability requirements;
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to prepare clear technical reports;
- High level of attention to detail and accuracy in inspection and documentation;
- Proven ability to work independently while effectively collaborating across multi-disciplinary teams;
- Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities;
- Proficiency in MS Office tools (Excel, Word, Outlook);
- Bilingual capability (French/English) is an asset, English proficiency is required to meet contractual and documentation obligations.
- Familiarity with FAI (First Article Inspection), PPAP, or similar qualification processes is an asset
- Exposure to electronic or electro-mechanical systems inspection is an asset
Preferred Additional Skills:
- IPC-A-610, IPC-A-620 experience an asset
- ASQ certification an asset
- Proficiency in MS Office tools (Excel, Word, Outlook);
- Familiarity with FAI (First Article Inspection), PPAP, or similar qualification processes is an asset
Eligibility Criteria: - Must be eligible for registration with the Controlled Goods Program;
- Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a government of Canada Reliability status and Secret Level 2/NATO Secret security clearance;
This job is for an existing vacancy
