Quality Engineer

The Portland area's largest and most sophisticated CNC machining operation seeks an experienced Quality Engineer to join their team. This role is open due to a recent internal promotion. Qualified candidates should have at least 2 years of Quality Engineering experience in a manufacturing environment. Expeirence working in a precision machine shop setting strongly preferred. Strong Data Analysis skills needed. Excellent benefits and solid career growth potential beyond this role.

SUMMARY:

We are seeking a Quality Engineer to support quality assurance, process control, and continuous improvement across our precision CNC machining operations. This role owns the technical quality interface between customer requirements, engineering, and shop-floor execution — ensuring tight-tolerance parts consistently meet drawing, specification, and contractual requirements for aerospace, defense, medical, semiconductor, and industrial equipment customers. The ideal candidate combines quality engineering fundamentals (GD&T, SPC, root cause analysis, PPAP) with hands-on familiarity with CNC machining, metrology, and inspection methods, and is comfortable working directly with machinists, engineering, and program managers in a fast-paced, ITAR-controlled environment.

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Review customer engineering drawings, models (STEP/IGES), and specifications to identify critical characteristics, GD&T requirements (ASME Y14.5), and inspection/control plan requirements for new and existing part numbers.

• Develop, document, and maintain control plans, and quality work instructions in coordination with production, engineering, and metrology (Epicor ERP).

• Partner with CNC programmers and machinists to identify and resolve process-driven dimensional issues, supporting root cause investigation at the machine/tooling/fixture level.

• Own first article inspection (AS9102) and new part introduction quality deliverables, defining critical characteristics, inspection methods, and sampling plans in collaboration with Engineering.

• Lead root cause and corrective action (RCCA/CAPA) investigations for nonconforming material (NCMR), dimensional deviations, and process escapes; drive containment and permanent corrective actions.

• Prepare and submit PPAP (Production Part Approval Process) packages for new or changed part numbers, including dimensional reports, control plans, process flow diagrams, and capability data as required by customer contracts.

• Serve as an active member of the Material Review Board (MRB), leading or participating in use-as-is, rework, repair, and scrap dispositions for nonconforming material in coordination with Engineering and Production.

• Conduct capability studies and lead Gauge R&R / MSA activities in coordination with metrology and manufacturing engineering.

• Interface directly with customers (e.g., SpaceX, Lockheed Martin, and other aerospace/defense primes) on technical quality questions, engineering change requests, and supplier corrective action requests (SCARs).

• Maintain compliance with AS9100 Rev D, ITAR, and CMMC 2.0 requirements in all quality documentation and communications.

• Participate in continuous improvement (Lean/Six Sigma) initiatives to reduce scrap, rework, and inspection cycle time across manufacturing cells.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality Engineering, or a related field — OR equivalent hands-on machine shop / quality experience in lieu of a degree.

• 2 years of experience in a quality engineering role within precision machining, CNC manufacturing, or aerospace/defense component manufacturing.

• Working knowledge of GD&T (ASME Y14.5) and blueprint/drawing interpretation.

• Experience with root cause analysis and corrective action methodologies (RCCA, 8D, 5-Why, fishbone).

• Familiarity with CNC machining processes (milling, turning, multi-axis) and common shop tooling/work-holding practices.

• Experience with CMM or other dimensional inspection equipment and methods.

• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to work cross-functionally with machinists, engineering, and program management.

• Must be a U.S. Person (U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident) for ITAR compliance.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in AS9100 Rev D or ISO 9001 certified manufacturing environments.

• Familiarity with CMM/PC-DMIS or other metrology software and inspection methods.

• Experience leading First Article Inspection (AS9102) or new product introduction (NPI) processes.

• Prior experience preparing or submitting PPAP packages and/or serving on a Material Review Board (MRB).

• ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or Certified Quality Auditor (CQA).

• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt training.

• Experience with ERP/MRP systems (e.g., Epicor, JobBOSS, or similar).

• Prior experience supporting aerospace, defense, medical, or semiconductor customer