Senior Quality Process Engineer

In partnership with our client, a global leader in metals manufacturing, we are seeking an experienced Sr Quality Process Engineer located at their Reading, PA facility. The right candidate will take a proactive role in establishing and maintaining quality standards in the production of aerospace and automotive parts. This is a direct hire opportunity.

JOB SUMMARY

As part of a startup, this role requires a hands-on approach to quality assurance in a fast-paced production environment, where innovation and rapid scaling are essential. The Quality Engineer will develop, implement, and execute quality plans and control processes to ensure product integrity as production scales. The ideal candidate will be detail-oriented, possess deep technical knowledge of aerospace/automotive standards, and be comfortable in a startup environment where flexibility and problem-solving are critical.

JOB DESCRIPTION

• Develop comprehensive quality assurance plans for parts production, ensuring compliance with aerospace and automotive industry standards (e.g., AS9100, IATF 16949).
• Define critical quality metrics and establish procedures for monitoring product quality throughout the production lifecycle.
• Collaborate with design and production teams to create quality standards and product specifications.
• Develop and optimize inspection methods and production processes to improve quality and efficiency.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to reduce defects, rework, and scrap, while increasing production throughput.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to streamline production workflows and integrate quality processes into daily operations.
• Create scalable quality systems and procedures to support increased production volumes as the business grows.
• Implement statistical process control (SPC) techniques to monitor and control production quality at scale.
• Develop quality documentation such as Control Plans, Process Flow Diagrams, and Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) to support scale-up efforts.
• Collect, analyze, and report on quality data to identify trends and areas for improvement.
• Prepare quality reports for leadership, highlighting key performance indicators (KPIs) such as First Pass Yield, defect rates, and customer complaints.
• Train production staff on quality standards, inspection techniques, and the importance of quality control.
• Act as a mentor to junior quality staff, providing guidance on quality best practices and procedures.
• Identify opportunities for improvement in the Quality system and work with the management team to implement identified improvements.
• Own and lead the Quality Management System. Ensure sustainability of the facility Quality Management System through effective use of Layered Process Audits, AS 9100 Internal Audits, Process Audits and corporate quality management system audits/assessments. Use these results to ensure correlation of results and develop and deploy improvement actions to achieve global and local objectives.
• Initiate corrective/preventive actions, investigate customer complaints, and collaborate with Manufacturing on establishing or improving first pass quality activities.
• Own and lead Safe Launch activities through effective risk management and verification of process capability by Process Validation builds (PV).
• Ensure conformance to Customer Quality Requirements.
• Ensure effectiveness of corrective actions for systemic or multiple root cause quality issues.
• Work with the management team to develop the annual budget, including identifying necessary capital expenditures and forecasting variable and fixed quality costs. Manage the Quality budget and ensure that financial targets are being met.

QUALITIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Quality Assurance.
• Minimum of 5 years of broad technical experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Minimum 5 years in quality administration and/or quality engineering.

PREFERRED FOR THE ENGINEER III:

• Ability to organize and prioritize tasks and make appropriate decisions.
• Six Sigma certification preferred.
• Automotive or Aerospace experience directly facing OEM Customers is preferred.
• Experience/knowledge of IATF 16949 or AS 9100
• Demonstrated experience with customer management and manufacturing problem solving & risk management.
• Knowledge and experience with lean manufacturing.
• Ability to operate advanced metrology/laboratory equipment.
• Ability to work in a production-oriented environment.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Verbal and written communication skills.
• Problem solving skills. Ability to perform assignments of the most complex nature.

Company provides industry leading compensation packages including PTO, holidays, medical/dental/vision benefits, matching 401k, and more. Equal Opportunity Employer.