Quality Engineer

Quality Engineer

Location: Brea, CA

Job Type: Full-Time

We are seeking a hands-on Quality Engineer to support a high-mix, low-volume manufacturing environment. This role will be responsible for driving continuous improvement initiatives, reducing non-conformances, leading corrective and preventive actions, supporting audits, and ensuring compliance with customer and quality system requirements.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in either aerospace manufacturing or elastomer/rubber/plastics manufacturing and possess strong problem-solving skills, quality systems knowledge, and a continuous improvement mindset.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead investigations into product and process quality issues using root cause analysis methodologies.
• Develop and implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) to reduce defects, scrap, rework, and customer returns.
• Partner with Production, Engineering, and Operations teams to improve product quality and manufacturing processes.
• Support Material Review Board (MRB) activities and disposition of non-conforming material.
• Conduct internal audits and ensure compliance with AS9100 and customer quality requirements.
• Support customer audits and respond to corrective action requests.
• Develop, maintain, and improve quality procedures, work instructions, and inspection methods.
• Analyze quality data and implement process improvements using Lean and Six Sigma principles.
• Evaluate and recommend inspection and testing equipment as needed.
• Train and mentor quality inspectors, operators, and production personnel on quality requirements and best practices.
• Interpret engineering drawings, specifications, customer requirements, and quality standards.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives to enhance product quality and operational performance.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years of Quality Engineering experience within Aerospace Manufacturing OR Elastomer/Rubber/Plastics Manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge and hands-on experience with AS9100 Quality Management Systems.
• Experience working in a high-mix, low-volume manufacturing environment.
• Proven experience with Root Cause Analysis (RCA), Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA), and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ability to investigate and resolve manufacturing and process-related quality issues.
• Experience interpreting engineering drawings, specifications, and customer requirements.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Experience with hand-built or highly engineered products is highly desirable.
• Experience with composites manufacturing is a plus.
• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, or related technical field preferred; equivalent relevant experience will be considered.

Mandatory Skills

• Quality Engineering
• AS9100
• Root Cause Analysis (RCA)
• Corrective & Preventive Action (CAPA)
• Internal Auditing
• High Mix / Low Volume Manufacturing