What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Aerospace Quality Engineer position at McAlister Design?
ABOUT STEELCREST PRECISION
Steelcrest Precision is a Tier 2 aerospace precision machining company supplying components for aircraft, defense, and critical infrastructure applications. We operate under AS9100, ITAR, and CMMC requirements, where tolerance, traceability, and trust are non-negotiable.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM US
A direct reporting line to leadership, real authority to drive change on the floor, and a company where quality engineering is treated as a strategic function, not overhead. We're investing in certifications and process improvement because our growth depends on it, and we need someone who wants to build that system, not just maintain it.
THE ROLE
We're looking for a Senior Quality Engineer who treats quality as an engineering discipline, not a gatekeeping function. You'll own the technical backbone of our quality system, FAI, PPAP, root cause and corrective action, and supplier quality, while driving the certification and continuous improvement work that keeps Steelcrest ahead of customer and regulatory expectations. This is a senior individual contributor role with real influence over how the shop runs, reporting directly into plant/quality leadership with visibility to the CEO.
WHAT YOU'LL OWN
- First Article Inspection (FAI) & PPAP, lead AS9102 FAI packages and PPAP submissions end-to-end, ensuring on-time, right-first-time approval from customers.
- Root Cause & Corrective Action, drive 8D/5-Why investigations on internal and customer-reported nonconformances; close the loop with real process fixes, not paperwork.
- AS9100/ITAR/CMMC 1 Compliance — support certification audits, internal audits, and closure of findings; keep the quality management system audit-ready year-round.
- Supplier Quality — evaluate and manage supplier quality performance, drive corrective action with vendors, and support supplier approval and qualification.
- Measurement Systems & Inspection — oversee CMM programming/review, GD&T interpretation, and gauge R&R studies; ensure inspection methods match part criticality.
- Continuous Improvement — identify and lead process improvements that reduce scrap, rework, and non-value-added inspection, tying quality gains directly to EBIT.
Customer Interface — represent Steelcrest in quality reviews, source inspections, and escalations with OEM and Tier 1 customers
WHAT YOU BRING
- 5 years of quality engineering experience in aerospace or another regulated precision manufacturing environment (defense or medical device acceptable with strong GD&T/AS9100 exposure).
- Deep working knowledge of AS9100, AS9102 (FAI), PPAP, and root cause methodologies (8D, 5-Why, Fishbone).
- Strong GD&T interpretation and blueprint reading; CMM programming or review experience (PC-DMIS or equivalent).
- Experience supporting or leading ITAR and/or CMMC Level 1 compliance activities.
- A track record of closing corrective actions that actually stick, not just paperwork that satisfies an auditor.
- Comfortable pushing back on the shop floor and in the customer's face when quality is at risk.
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Mechanical, Industrial, or related) preferred; equivalent experience will be considered.
- ASQ certification (CQE, CMQ/OE) a plus, not a requirement.
WHAT WE EXPECT FROM YOU
Ownership. When something's wrong, you find out why and fix the process, not just the part. You hold the line on quality even when it's inconvenient for schedule or cost, and you know how to make the business case when it isn't.