What are the responsibilities and job description for the Quality Engineer position at Kratos Defense?
GENERAL JOB SUMMARY:
The Quality Engineer supports safety and mission assurance activities across all engineering, integration, test, and operational areas of the facility. This role assists in implementing, maintaining, and improving the Quality Management System (QMS); conducting audits; performing root-cause analyses; and ensuring compliance with ISO 9001, DoD, customer, and internal quality requirements. The Quality Engineer works under the direction of the Safety & Mission Assurance Manager and collaborates closely with engineering, manufacturing, test, and operations teams to ensure that quality standards are incorporated into designs, processes, test activities, and documentation throughout the system lifecycle. The position requires strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to support a fast-paced, multi?disciplinary aerospace environment.
LOCATION:
Crane, IN
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
PRIMARY:
Support implementation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of the Quality Management System (QMS) in accordance with ISO 9001 standards.
Conduct internal quality audits, process assessments, and configuration control checks to ensure compliance across engineering and facility operations.
Assist in developing, reviewing, and controlling quality documentation including procedures, work instructions, forms, and quality records.
Support Corrective Action and Preventive Action (CAPA) processes, including root?cause analysis, containment, corrective action planning, and verification of effectiveness.
Review engineering documentation, test reports, and build/assembly records for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with quality requirements.
Collaborate with engineering and test teams to ensure quality considerations are integrated into designs, processes, and test setups.
Support supplier and subcontractor quality oversight, including documentation reviews and compliance checks.
SECONDARY:
Participate in risk management and mission assurance activities including identification of quality-related hazards and tracking mitigation actions.
Assist with QMS document library control and updates.
Support quality metrics tracking, trend analysis, and reporting to identify systemic issues or opportunities for improvement.
Conduct inspections and verifications of hardware, assemblies, and configurations as needed to support test and integration activities.
Assist with training personnel on quality procedures, documentation practices, and configuration control requirements.
Coordinate with internal teams, government partners, and subcontractors on quality expectations and compliance matters.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:
Limited supervisory responsibility
JOB SKILLS:
Required:
Working knowledge of Quality Management Systems and standards such as ISO 9001.
Ability to perform internal audits, documentation reviews, and compliance assessments.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and root-cause analysis skills.
Effective communication and collaboration skills in cross-functional engineering environments.
Strong attention to detail and consistent documentation practices.
Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret clearance.
Preferred:
Familiarity with aerospace, defense, or high-reliability quality processes.
Knowledge of AS9100, ISO 19011 auditing practices, or similar quality frameworks.
Experience with supplier quality oversight or subcontractor coordination.
Background in testing, manufacturing, or engineering support environments.
Quality-related certifications (e.g., CQE, CQA) are a plus.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Bachelor’s degree in Quality Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related technical field.
2–5 years of experience in quality engineering, mission assurance, or a similar quality-focused role.
Experience supporting engineering, testing, manufacturing, or aerospace/defense operations preferred.
Experience with documentation control, audits, or QMS administration is desirable.
Travel
Up to 10%
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Work is performed across office, laboratory, integration, test, and facility operational environments. The Quality Engineer supports activities involving engineering development, test operations, and hardware handling, requiring adherence to strict safety, quality, and configuration control standards. The role involves collaboration with engineers, technicians, subcontractors, and government personnel, as well as periods of hands-on inspection, auditing, and process verification in active technical areas.