Senior Quality Engineer

Job Summary:

The QE/SQE is responsible for ensuring product and supplier quality across the manufacturing lifecycle of exotic and high-performance metals. This role partners closely with Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Engineering, and external suppliers to prevent defects, manage risk, and drive continuous improvement. The QE/SQE applies structured quality tools, data analysis, and technical judgment to ensure compliance with customer, regulatory, and internal requirements. Success in this role directly impacts yield, on-time delivery, customer satisfaction, and operational risk reduction.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop, implement, and maintain quality control plans, inspection criteria, and acceptance standards for raw materials, in-process operations, and finished goods

• Perform root cause analysis (RCA) using structured methodologies (5-Why, Fishbone, Pareto, etc.) and lead corrective and preventive actions (CAPA)

• Review engineering drawings, specifications, and customer requirements to ensure quality requirements are clearly defined and executed

• Support first article inspections (FAI), PPAP-style validations, and supplier qualification activities as required

• Analyze quality data, trends, and nonconformances to identify systemic issues and improvement opportunities.

• Partner with Supply Chain and Procurement to qualify, audit, and develop suppliers of exotic metals and critical components

• Collaborate with Manufacturing and Engineering to resolve process-related quality issues and improve first-pass yield

• Interface with customers, auditors, and external partners on quality concerns, audits, and corrective actions

• Support training and coaching of internal teams on quality standards, inspection methods, and defect prevention

• Ensure alignment with the company’s Quality Management System and applicable ISO / AS9100 requirement

Compliance, Process, & Governance:

• Ensure compliance with applicable quality standards (e.g., ISO 9001, AS9100, customer-specific requirements)

• Maintain accurate and auditable quality records, including nonconformance reports (NCRs), CAPAs, and inspection data

• Participate in internal and external audits and support audit readiness activities

• Uphold disciplined documentation, change control, and configuration management practices

Planning, Risk, or Problem-Solving Responsibilities:

• Identify quality risks related to material variability, supplier capability, machining processes, and inspection methods

• Proactively address quality escapes, supplier issues, and internal defects before they impact production flow or customers

• Lead containment actions and decision-making during quality incidents that disrupt manufacturing or delivery schedules

• Balance quality rigor with manufacturing throughput by applying risk-based decision making

* Note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
 

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Materials Science, or related field

• Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered

Experience:

• 3–7 years of experience in Quality Engineering and/or Supplier Quality within a manufacturing environment

• Experience supporting machining, metal fabrication, or exotic/high-performance materials strongly preferred

• QMS Experience

Knowledge & Skills:

• Strong understanding of quality systems, inspection methods, and continuous improvement tools

• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, and technical specifications

• Working knowledge of supplier quality management, audits, and corrective action processes

• Proficient in data analysis, problem solving, and structured decision making

• Effective written and verbal communication skills with internal teams and external suppliers

Physical & Work Environment:

• Combination of office and manufacturing shop environment

• Regular use of computers, ERP/QMS systems, and inspection documentation tools

• Occasional exposure to manufacturing noise, materials, and equipment

• May require limited travel to supplier/customer sites

• Ability to lift up to 25–30 pounds as needed for inspection or review activities

International Trade in Arms Regulations (ITAR):

· Must be either; US Citizen, lawful permanent resident of the US, or protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).