Associate Quality Engineer

As an Associate Quality Engineer, you will support the quality assurance and control processes across product development, manufacturing, and sustainment phases. You will work with cross-functional teams (engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, program management) to help ensure that our products — from components to fully integrated systems — meet rigorous defense- and customer-mandated quality standards

Job Function:

Key Responsibilities

• Review and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and contracts to understand quality requirements and flow-downs.
• Support First Article Inspections (FAI) per AS9102 or equivalent as required.
• Perform in-process inspections, audits, and spot checks on production floor to verify compliance with quality plans and processes.
• Assist in root cause analysis for non-conformances (NCRs) and implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs).
• Monitor and report on key quality metrics (e.g., defect rates, process yield, audit findings) and present data in program meetings.
• Help develop, maintain, and improve quality control plans, process control plans, and procedures (e.g., control charts, process validation).
• Participate in internal and external audits (e.g., ISO 9001, AS9100) and support continuous improvement activities (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma).
• Engage with suppliers and subcontractors around quality requirements, audits, and corrective actions.
• Support sustaining and post-production quality efforts — failure investigations, reliability tracking, and ongoing compliance during maintenance/modification.
• Maintain documentation: nonconformance reports, inspection reports, audits, certificates of conformance, etc.

Job Requirement:

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, Aerospace, or a related STEM field) or equivalent.
• Ability to obtain and maintain [required level] security clearance.
• Familiarity with interpreting technical drawings, GD&T, schematics, and work instructions.
• Basic understanding of quality tools: root cause analysis, corrective/preventive actions, control plans.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and quality software/data analysis tools.
• Strong communication skills (written and verbal) and ability to work collaboratively across teams.

Preferred:

• Experience (internship, co-op, or professional) in aerospace, defense, or regulated manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of industry standards: AS9100, ISO 9001, MIL-STD, or other relevant regulatory frameworks.
• Familiarity with statistical analysis, SPC, Six Sigma, or Lean methodologies.
• Experience with First Article Inspection (FAI) process (e.g., AS9102).
• Prior exposure to supplier quality management, audits, or quality certification activities.