Quality Engineer

Quality Engineer

The Quality Engineer ensures that products and processes meet all legal, regulatory, and customer requirements in a highly regulated manufacturing environment. This role leads and supports quality activities across new product introduction, supplier management, audits, and continuous improvement initiatives. The Quality Engineer partners closely with Engineering, Operations, and Supply Chain to drive defect reduction, enhance process capability, and maintain robust quality systems and documentation.

Responsibilities:

• Review engineering changes to ensure compliance with legal, regulatory, and customer requirements.
• Participate as the quality representative in concurrent engineering and New Product Introduction (NPI) activities, including configuration and design changes.
• Perform root cause analysis and implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) for product and process issues.
• Lead in-process defect capture efforts and use metrics to drive quality improvement.
• Maintain and manage documentation required for internal and external audits, including FAA and customer audits.
• Conduct First Article Inspections (FAIs) and approve supplier FAIs in accordance with AS9102 and customer or regulatory standards.
• Review and approve build books, manufacturing documentation, and test documentation changes.
• Collaborate with Supply Chain and Operations to qualify new suppliers and support supplier quality improvement initiatives.
• Support incoming inspection and material control activities, including Material Review Board (MRB) dispositions and stamp control.
• Facilitate and conduct supplier audits and lead supplier development, evaluations, and performance reviews.
• Represent quality during customer visits, audits, and surveys, and prepare required quality documentation and responses.
• Assist in the evaluation and validation of test equipment for accuracy, repeatability, and capability.
• Assist in developing inspection plans and ensure appropriate measurement systems are in place.
• Deliver training on quality tools, standards, and continuous improvement methodologies across departments.
• Track and report quality metrics, customer returns, delivery performance, and improvement actions using standardized quality assurance systems.
• Serve on cross-functional teams to drive resolution of Notice of Escapes (NOEs), Supplier Corrective Action Requests (SCARs), and program quality issues.
• Support compliance and documentation for Repair Station activities, including audits, manual and roster updates, and adherence to FAA regulations.
• Utilize and contribute to quality systems and customer complaint systems to ensure timely and effective issue resolution.
• Develop and maintain the Incoming Inspection Procedure, Scrap Process, and Shelf Life or Expired Material Process.

Essential Skills:

• Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality Engineering, or a related technical field.
• At least 3 years of experience in quality engineering, quality assurance, or manufacturing engineering.
• Hands-on experience with root cause analysis and implementation of corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
• Experience conducting First Article Inspections (FAIs), including adherence to AS9102 requirements.
• Knowledge of quality tools such as FMEA, SPC, CAPA, Control Plans, Measurement System Analysis (MSA), and PPAP.
• Experience working in regulated manufacturing environments such as aerospace, defense, automotive, medical device, or electronics.
• Knowledge of ISO 9001, AS9100, IATF, or similar quality management standards.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and manufacturing documentation.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to use metrics and data to drive quality improvement.
• Effective communication skills to represent quality in cross-functional teams, supplier interactions, and customer-facing situations.

Additional Skills & Qualifications:

• Experience participating in or leading New Product Introduction (NPI) activities.
• Background in supplier quality management, including supplier qualification, development, and performance evaluation.
• Familiarity with FAA and repair station quality requirements and documentation practices.
• Experience preparing for and supporting internal, customer, and regulatory audits.
• Ability to develop and deliver training on quality tools, standards, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Comfort working within standardized quality assurance and customer complaint systems.
• Interest in long-term career growth with the flexibility to move across departments or into other locations within a broader corporate structure.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams and in a fast-paced, project-driven environment.

Work Environment:

This is an onsite role that requires presence at the manufacturing facility each workday due to the hands-on nature of the responsibilities. The organization operates on an 8-hour, 5-day work schedule. The environment is that of a fully integrated manufacturing company focused on designing and producing electromechanical actuators and control electronics for commercial and military applications. The culture emphasizes ownership, rapid implementation of new ideas, and continuous improvement to support company growth. The workplace maintains a casual dress environment while upholding professional standards appropriate for a regulated manufacturing and engineering setting.

Job Type & Location:

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Whippany, NJ.

Pay and Benefits:

The pay range for this position is $52.88 - $57.69/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)