Quality Engineer

Eleven Recruiting is searching for a Quality Engineer for a leading aerospace and defense composite manufacturer in Hayden, ID, operating as a business unit of a multi-site composites platform serving the space, defense, and aviation markets. The Quality Engineer plans, coordinates, and executes quality assurance and quality control activities across composite aerostructure manufacturing operations. This role is responsible for developing and maintaining inspection standards, driving root cause analysis and corrective action, supporting supplier quality, and ensuring all products meet customer, regulatory, and AS9100 requirements. The Quality Engineer works cross-functionally with Manufacturing, Engineering, and Program teams — and steps into Quality Manager responsibilities in their absence.

Responsibilities

• Plan and oversee inspection, testing, and evaluation activities to ensure consistent product quality across composite lamination, machining, assembly, and NDI/NDT operations.
• Develop and maintain standards and methods for in-process and final inspection, testing, and acceptance criteria aligned to customer and regulatory requirements.
• Apply statistical process control (SPC) methods to analyze manufacturing data, evaluate process performance, and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Perform quality engineering reviews of design documentation, engineering changes, and vendor quality manuals for compliance with stated requirements.
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective/preventive action (RCCA/CAPA) investigations for internal nonconformances, customer complaints, and supplier escapes.
• Investigate and resolve customer complaints regarding product quality; communicate corrective actions clearly and professionally.
• Review and disposition nonconforming material; determine accept/reject decisions in alignment with engineering and customer requirements.
• Evaluate supplier quality performance; participate in vendor qualification, audits, and ongoing supplier quality management activities.
• Maintain and apply working knowledge of applicable government, industry, and customer quality codes and standards (AS9100, NADCAP, MIL-specs, etc.).
• Keep the management team informed of significant quality issues, trends, and corrective actions in progress.
• Prepare and present technical quality data, program status, and metrics to internal stakeholders.
• Develop and implement quality training programs for key personnel in coordination with department managers.
• Formulate and maintain quality objectives aligned with corporate policies and program goals.
• Support and maintain the Quality Management System (QMS); serve as acting Quality Manager in their absence.
  
  

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, or a related technical discipline preferred; Associate's degree with substantial relevant experience considered.
• 3 years of progressive quality engineering experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Hands-on experience with quality systems and practices in composite, aerospace, or defense manufacturing.
• Working knowledge of composite manufacturing processes — including hand layup, cure cycles, and post-cure machining — and the quality considerations specific to each stage.
• Proficiency in root cause analysis methodologies (8D, 5-Why, Fishbone/Ishikawa) and corrective action processes.
• Demonstrated experience with SPC data collection, analysis, and application in a production environment.
• Familiarity with NDI/NDT methods used to inspect composite assemblies (ultrasonic, x-ray, or equivalent).
• Proficiency in blueprint reading and GD&T as applied to composite and machined aerostructure components.
• Working knowledge of AS9100 quality management system requirements.
• Strong analytical, written, and verbal communication skills; comfortable presenting to management.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, including Excel for data analysis and reporting.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in aerospace or defense composite manufacturing (NADCAP accreditation familiarity a plus).
• Background in government contracting quality requirements (FAR/DFARS, MIL-specs, DCMA interface).
• Experience conducting or supporting internal and supplier quality audits.
• Familiarity with first article inspection (FAI) processes per AS9102.
• Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma certification.
• CQE (Certified Quality Engineer) certification or equivalent.
  
  

Salary: $90,000 - $110,000