Senior Quality Engineer

Seeking a talented Senior Quality Engineer to lead quality engineering activities for a precision manufacturing company that has been a trusted partner for military vehicle programs and automotive customers for 80 years. The Senior Quality Engineer owns and maintains the company’s QMS, drives ISO 9001:2015 certification, maintains shop-floor quality procedures and inspection controls, and ensures products and processes meet company, customer, and regulatory requirements. This is a high-mix/low-volume, metal fabrication, machining, product development, and prototyping environment that requires a hands-on quality leader with a strong floor presence. The position is based onsite at the company’s Detroit, MI facility and qualified applicants must have current U.S. citizenship due to military security clearance requirements. Responsibilities include: Maintain a strong presence on the manufacturing floor, mentoring and providing technical direction to production and quality staff on inspection methods, GD&T interpretation, and quality procedures. Lead the design, documentation, and implementation of the company’s QMS (quality manual, document control procedures, internal audit program, and corrective/preventive action (CAPA) process) and maintain compliance with ISO 9001 standards. Serve as representative for ISO 9001 certification, including readiness assessments, gap analysis, and coordination with external auditors. Establish and maintain a structured internal audit schedule covering processes, product lines, and supplier quality. Build a roadmap toward AS9100 readiness to support military vehicle program requirements, and IATF 16949 awareness for automotive customer programs and ensure compliance with defense industry standards and regulations (ITAR, AS9100, ISO). Develop, implement, and maintain quality plans, work instructions, inspection checkpoints, and standard operating procedures at each workstation across the shop. Establish First Article Inspection (FAI) procedures for new and revised parts that are appropriate for a prototype, low volume/high mix production environment, including IMDS reports and dimensional scanning. Implement and maintain a nonconforming material process and Material Review Board (MRB) disposition workflow. Own the gauge and tooling calibration program, ensuring measurement equipment is controlled, traceable, and audit ready. Review engineering drawings, specifications, and manufacturing documentation for quality compliance. Implement configuration and engineering change control to ensure the correct print revision is built and traceable for every job. Conduct root cause analysis (RCA) for product and process non-conformances and lead corrective and preventive action using structured methods (8D, 5 Whys, Fishbone, FMEA). Monitor key quality metrics and analyze inspection data to identify trends, risks, and process improvement opportunities, reducing scrap and rework. Support production and engineering teams in resolving quality issues and improving processes, including new product introductions and process changes with risk assessments and quality planning. Perform audits, inspections, and quality assessments of products, materials, and suppliers and collaborate with suppliers to resolve quality issues and maintain supplier quality standards. Serve as the quality point of contact for military and automotive customer audits, quality flow-down requirements, and contractual quality obligations. Maintain documentation and records required for defense contract compliance, including support for export control (ITAR/EAR) recordkeeping as applicable. Prepare quality metrics and reporting for leadership and customer reviews. Requirements include: Supporting military programs may require the ability to obtain or maintain government program access and/or security clearance. Therefore, current U.S. citizenship is required for this role . Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality Management, Manufacturing, or related field. ASQ certification (CQE, CQA) preferred. Equivalent education/experience will be considered. 5+ years of quality engineering experience in an ISO 9001 certified, low volume/high mix, metal fabrication, or machining manufacturing environment required. Experience in defense with AS9100 and/or defense/military supplier quality requirements and/or familiarity with IATF 16949 or automotive customer quality systems (PPAP, APQP, Core Tools) preferred. Familiarity with ITAR/export control recordkeeping requirements a plus. Proficient in interpreting technical drawings, specifications, and manufacturing processes; strong GD&T and blueprint reading skills, able to work from engineering drawings on one-off and short-run parts. Demonstrated knowledge of ISO 9001:2015 requirements and audit processes; experience standing up or maturing a Quality Management System strongly preferred. Hands-on experience with precision measurement equipment (CMM, calipers, micrometers, gauges) and calibration programs. Lean/Six Sigma certification equivalent expertise in root cause analysis and continuous process improvement a plus. Strong problem-solving, analytical, and organizational skills, with experience in quality management systems and regulatory compliance requirements. Excellent communication and collaboration skills to work with internal teams, suppliers, and customers. #J-18808-Ljbffr Vogrinc Search Group