Quality Engineer

Quality Engineer

The Quality Engineer will support Hanwha Defense USA's quality assurance activities by implementing and maintaining quality systems compliant with AS9100 and ISO 9001 standards. This role is responsible for quality planning, process control, auditing, root-cause analysis, and continuous improvement initiatives supporting defense-sector production and program requirements. The Quality Engineer will work closely with Engineering, Production, Supply Chain, and Program Management to ensure product conformity, regulatory compliance, and customer satisfaction.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Support the development, implementation, and maintenance of AS9100 and ISO 9001-compliant quality management system (QMS) processes, procedures, and documentation.
• Conduct internal audits, supplier audits, and process audits to ensure compliance with QMS requirements, customer specifications, and defense industry standards.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define and implement quality plans, inspection criteria, control methods, and verification processes for production and program activities.
• Perform root-cause analysis and lead corrective and preventive action (CAPA) activities using structured problem-solving methodologies.
• Support configuration management, document control, and quality records retention in accordance with QMS and regulatory requirements.
• Evaluate supplier quality performance and support incoming inspection, supplier qualification, and supplier corrective action processes.
• Develop and maintain inspection criteria, test methods, quality checklists, sampling plans, and acceptance standards for materials, components, and finished products.
• Support risk management activities, including risk assessments, FMEAs, and process capability analysis to drive continuous improvement across operations.
• Participate in customer audits, third-party audits, and defense agency reviews; support audit readiness and closure of findings.
• Analyze quality performance metrics and trends; prepare reports and recommendations to support decision-making and quality improvements.
• Partner with Engineering and Production to support first article inspections (FAI), production readiness activities, and validation of manufacturing processes.
• Support training activities on QMS requirements, quality tools, and standard operating procedures.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of AS9100 and ISO 9001 QMS standards, including audit experience and practical implementation.
• Experience in defense industry manufacturing, testing, or production environments.
• Demonstrated experience with root-cause analysis, CAPA processes, problem-solving tools (e.g., 5 Whys, Fishbone, 8D), and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience with inspection processes, metrology tools, measurement systems, and acceptance testing.
• Familiarity with defense industry requirements and customer expectations.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across cross-functional teams.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and quality standards.
• Experience supporting supplier quality activities and external audits.
• Strong organizational skills, analytical ability, and attention to detail.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Industrial Technology, or a related field.
• 3–7 years of relevant quality engineering experience in a manufacturing or defense environment.
• ASQ certifications (CQE, CQA, CQM/OE) preferred but not required.

Other Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Person due to access to controlled information.
• Ability to work in laboratory, production, and supplier environments as needed.

Hanwha Defense USA is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.