Kratos Defense and Security Solutions

Supplier Quality Lead Engineer

Kratos Defense and Security Solutions • $90K — $120K *
Bristow, OK 74010In-Person
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Strong knowledge of ISO 9001, AS9100, and FAA/EASA regulatory requirements.
  • Experience with FMEA, PPAP, MSA, SPC, and APQP methodologies.
  • Familiarity with root-cause analysis tools.
  • Experience with NPI or supplier development programs.
  • Experience with non-destructive testing (NDT), special processes, or composites is a plus.
  • 6+ years of experience in aerospace, defense, or high-reliability manufacturing environments.

Responsibilities

  • Interface with suppliers to build strong partnerships and uphold quality expectations.
  • Enhance processes tailored for high-rate production of small gas turbines and components.
  • Automate and streamline the nonconformance system.
  • Work with software teams to integrate quality requirements into systems.
  • Investigate supplier-related issues, driving root cause analyses and corrective actions.
  • Support new supplier onboarding and readiness reviews.
  • Track performance metrics and report trends to leadership.

Benefits

  • Professional development opportunities.
  • Travel opportunities to suppliers and facilities.
  • Collaborative work environment with a focus on continuous improvement.
Full Job Description
This role is restricted to U.S. persons (i.e., U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and other protected individuals under the Immigration and Naturalization Act, 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)) due to access to export-controlled technology. BladeWorks will require proof of status prior to employment.

General Job Summary:

The Supplier Quality Engineer Lead is responsible for developing, implementing, and improving quality processes to ensure aerospace products meet internal standards, customer requirements, and regulatory guidelines. This role works cross-functionally with engineering, manufacturing, suppliers, and quality assurance teams to resolve issues, prevent non-conformances, and drive continuous improvement across the production lifecycle. As lead, this role will also encompass responsibilities of an internal quality engineer.

Essential Job Functions:
  • Serve as interface between the organization and its suppliers, fostering strong, professional partnerships while maintaining firm quality expectations.
  • Work to improve and ensure current processes are "purpose built" for high-rate production of small gas turbines and components used in the products.
  • Streamline and automate nonconformance system.
  • Work with the software & systems team to integrate elements of NCPR, PAPs, part number and serial number tracking, flowed down quality requirements from contracts, and overall quality requirements into the systems.
  • Investigate supplier-related nonconformances, drive root cause analysis, and verify effective, corrective, and preventive actions.
  • Support new supplier onboarding, supplier development programs, and production readiness reviews.
  • Track supplier and internal performance metrics (OTD, quality escapes, defect rates) and report trends to leadership.
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, and efficiency.
  • Identify opportunities to enhance manufacturing processes using Lean, Six Sigma, and statistical methods.
  • Lead PFMEA, PPAP, control plans, and risk management activities for new and existing products.
  • Collaborate with engineering and manufacturing to optimize design-for-quality practices.
  • Provide technical support to assembly facility to resolve quality issues in real time.
  • Review supplier quality plans, inspection criteria, and first article inspection (FAI) documentation.
  • Establish inspection standards, testing requirements, and acceptance criteria.
  • Lead supplier audits (remote and onsite), including qualification, performance monitoring, corrective actions, risk mitigation, and continuous improvement initiatives to ensure compliance with AS9100, ISO 9001, and regulatory/customer requirements.
  • Develop and maintain QMS procedures and documentation; support internal and external audits; and analyze quality data to implement process controls that reduce defects and improve yield.
  • Other job duties as assigned.


  • Strong knowledge of ISO 9001, AS9100, and FAA/EASA regulatory requirements
  • Experience with FMEA, PPAP, MSA, SPC, and APQP methodologies
  • Familiarity with root-cause analysis tools
  • Experience with NPI, or supplier development programs
  • Experience with non-destructive testing (NDT), special processes, or composites is a plus
  • Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced, highly regulated environment
  • Continuous improvement mindset and collaborative approach

Education and Experience:
  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in Industrial, Manufacturing, or Quality Engineering, or related field
  • 6+ years of experience in aerospace, defense, or high-reliability manufacturing environments

Work Environment/Physical Requirements:
  • Office and manufacturing environment
  • Ability to sit and stand for long periods of time
  • Ability to perform repetitive motion (keyboarding, mouse, phones, rotating wrist, using tools/equipment)

Travel Requirements: May require occasional travel to suppliers, customers, or test facilities.

Work Location:
  • Based in Bristow, OK (located between Oklahoma City and Tulsa)
  • Strong connection to Jupiter, FL facility - will be working onsite in Jupiter extensively during the first year of employment

About Kratos Defense and Security Solutions

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. provides mission critical products, solutions, and services in the United States. The company operates through three segments: Kratos Government Solutions, Unmanned Systems, and Public Safety & Security. The Kratos Government Solutions segment offers microwave electronic products, satellite communications, training systems, modular systems, and defense and rocket support services. The Unmanned Systems segment provides unmanned aerial, ground, and seaborne, as well as command, control, and communications systems. The Public Safety & Security segment designs, engineers, deploys, operates, integrates, maintains, and operates security and surveillance solutions for homeland security, public safety, critical infrastructure, government, and commercial customers. The company serves national security related agencies, the department of defense, intelligence agencies, and classified agencies, as well as international government agencies and domestic and international commercial customers; and critical infrastructure, power generation, power transport, nuclear energy, financial, IT, healthcare, education, transportation, and petro-chemical industries, as well as government and military customers. Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in San Diego, California.
Learn more about Kratos Defense and Security Solutions
Size
3,300 employees
Market Cap
$1.1 billion
Industry
Aerospace & Defense
Net Income
$79.6 million
Founded
1994
5 Year Trend
+8.4%
Revenue
$747.6 million
NASDAQ
KTOS
* Ladders Estimates

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