Manufacturing Quality Engineer – Defense & Aerospace

Interview Process

• First Round: Microsoft Teams interview
• Final Round: Onsite interview

Position Summary

The Manufacturing Quality Engineer is responsible for ensuring manufacturing processes and products meet the highest standards of quality, reliability, and regulatory compliance within a defense and aerospace manufacturing environment. This role partners closely with Manufacturing, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Quality teams to resolve product and supplier quality issues, implement corrective actions, and drive continuous improvement throughout the production lifecycle.

The ideal candidate will have 3–5 years of manufacturing quality engineering experience, a strong background in corrective actions and supplier quality, and experience supporting production inspectors while driving quality improvements on the manufacturing floor.

Key Responsibilities

Manufacturing Quality

• Develop, implement, and maintain quality assurance processes and procedures
• Ensure products and manufacturing processes meet customer, regulatory, and internal quality requirements
• Perform manufacturing process audits and product inspections to verify compliance with established standards
• Support production teams in resolving quality issues and improving manufacturing performance
• Partner with manufacturing personnel to establish effective inspection plans and quality control processes

Corrective & Preventive Actions

• Lead investigations into product and manufacturing quality issues
• Perform root cause analysis using structured problem-solving methodologies
• Develop, implement, and verify corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs)
• Monitor corrective action effectiveness and ensure timely closure of quality issues
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that reduce defects and improve process capability

Supplier Quality

• Investigate and resolve supplier-related quality issues
• Work directly with suppliers to implement corrective actions and improve product quality
• Evaluate supplier performance and support supplier development initiatives
• Conduct supplier audits and quality assessments as required
• Collaborate with Supply Chain and Procurement to improve supplier quality performance

Production Support

• Provide day-to-day quality engineering support to manufacturing operations
• Review product quality issues and recommend corrective actions
• Support manufacturing inspectors by providing technical guidance and resolving inspection-related concerns
• Participate in production readiness activities and quality reviews
• Work closely with cross-functional teams to resolve production challenges

Continuous Improvement

• Lead and participate in Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma initiatives
• Analyze production and quality data to identify trends and improvement opportunities
• Implement process improvements that enhance quality, reduce waste, and improve operational efficiency
• Utilize statistical methods and quality tools to improve manufacturing performance

Documentation & Reporting

• Maintain quality documentation including:
• Inspection records
• Nonconformance reports (NCRs)
• Corrective action reports
• Test reports
• Quality procedures
• Generate quality metrics and performance reports for leadership
• Support customer audits and prepare required documentation

Compliance

• Ensure compliance with applicable industry standards and customer requirements
• Support internal, customer, and regulatory audits
• Maintain compliance with:
• AS9100
• ISO 9001
• NADCAP
• ITAR
• Customer-specific quality requirements

Required Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in:
• Mechanical Engineering
• Industrial Engineering
• Aerospace Engineering
• Manufacturing Engineering
• Or another related technical discipline

Experience

• 3–5 years of Manufacturing Quality Engineering experience
• Experience supporting manufacturing operations in a production environment
• Experience leading corrective action investigations
• Experience resolving supplier quality issues
• Experience reviewing and resolving product quality concerns
• Experience supporting manufacturing inspectors and quality inspection activities

Technical Skills

• Strong knowledge of:
• Root Cause Analysis
• Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA)
• Statistical Process Control (SPC)
• Lean Manufacturing
• Six Sigma methodologies
• Experience conducting audits and inspections
• Strong data analysis and reporting skills
• Familiarity with quality management systems and engineering documentation

Industry Knowledge

• Working knowledge of:
• AS9100
• ISO 9001
• NADCAP
• ITAR
• Understanding of defense and aerospace manufacturing quality requirements

Professional Skills

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to collaborate effectively across Manufacturing, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Quality teams
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities
• High attention to detail and commitment to product quality

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in defense or aerospace manufacturing
• Professional certifications such as:
• Certified Quality Engineer (CQE)
• Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt
• Experience leading supplier development initiatives
• Experience with advanced quality planning and continuous improvement projects

Manager Priorities

The ideal candidate will bring hands-on manufacturing quality experience and be able to quickly contribute in a fast-paced production environment. Particular emphasis is placed on candidates with experience in:

• Leading corrective action investigations
• Resolving supplier quality issues
• Reviewing and resolving product quality concerns
• Supporting manufacturing inspectors and production quality activities
• Collaborating effectively with cross-functional manufacturing and engineering teams

EOE (including Disability/Veterans)