Senior Quality Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

The Senior Quality Engineer is responsible for leading and overseeing quality assurance activities to ensure the consistent production of conforming products in accordance with applicable industry standards, regulatory requirements, and customer specifications. This role serves as a key technical authority within the Quality Management System (QMS), providing independent decision-making, cross-functional leadership, and direct interface with customers, suppliers, and auditors.

The Senior Quality Engineer drives continuous improvement initiatives, leads root cause investigations, and ensures effective implementation of corrective and preventive actions. This position requires advanced knowledge of quality systems, manufacturing processes, and inspection methodologies, along with the ability to influence organizational performance and ensure compliance across all operations.

Primary Responsibilities

• Serve as a quality interface between the organization and customers, ensuring requirements are understood, flowed down, and effectively implemented.
• Provide technical leadership in root cause analysis, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives across the organization.
• Maintain and improve the Quality Management System, ensuring compliance with AS9100, ISO 9001, ISO17025, Nadcap and applicable regulatory/statutory/customer requirements such as REACH, RoHS, and Conflict Minerals.
• Lead internal audits and support external audits, including customer and regulatory audits.
• Provide advanced support for new product introduction, including APQP, FMEA, control plans, and validation activities.
• Serve as a mentor and technical resource for quality engineers, inspectors, and cross-functional teams.
• Ensure effective integration of quality requirements into manufacturing, inspection, and testing processes.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS (95%) Nonconformance & Material Review Board

• Participate in Material Review Board (MRB) activities, including disposition of nonconforming material when required.
• Promote timely processing and closure of NCRs in alignment with organizational goals.
• Analyze nonconformance trends and implement systemic corrective actions.
• Interface with customers and program management for deviation and concession approvals.
• Assist with containment, quarantine, and material control activities.

Corrective Action (CAPA / CAR)

• Lead complex root cause investigations using structured methodologies (8D, 5-Why, Ishikawa).
• Ensure effective implementation and validation of corrective and preventive actions.
• Drive cross-functional accountability for timely closure of corrective actions.
• Promote and enforce closed-loop corrective action (CLCA) processes.

Auditing & Compliance

• Lead internal QMS audits (AS9100, ISO17025) and process audits (Nadcap).
• Serve as lead interface during customer and third-party audits when required.
• Ensure audit findings are effectively addressed and closed.
• Maintain compliance with applicable standards and statutory/regulatory requirements such as Conflict Minerals, REACH, RoHS, Prop 65, OSHA, etc.
• Communicate status of compliance to external parties as required.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify and lead process improvement initiatives (Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, PDCA).
• Analyze product and process performance data to drive measurable improvements.
• Report improvement results, including financial and operational impact, to management.

Supplier Quality

• Lead supplier quality evaluations, audits, and performance monitoring.
• Issue and manage Supplier Corrective Action Requests (SCARs).
• Support supplier selection and approval processes.
• Ensure supplier compliance with contractual and regulatory requirements.

Risk Management (FMEA / APQP)

• Lead cross-functional teams in development and maintenance of FMEAs.
• Analyze risk using RPN and drive mitigation actions.
• Ensure alignment between FMEA, control plans, and inspection methods.

Inspection Strategy & Planning

• Define and approve inspection strategies and methodologies.
• Oversee development of inspection plans and measurement approaches.
• Ensure inspection activities are aligned with product definition (drawings/MBD).
• Evaluate and approve measurement capability and external inspection sources.

Measurement Systems & Calibration

• Oversee calibration systems and ensure compliance with applicable requirements.
• Lead measurement system analysis (MSA), including Gage R&R.
• Establish and optimize calibration intervals based on risk and usage.
• Lead investigation on impacted products when measuring equipment fails calibration.

Manufacturing Readiness & Product Launch

• Lead quality activities for Manufacturing Readiness Reviews (MRR).
• Ensure inspection and verification requirements are properly implemented.
• Evaluate production processes for capability and compliance.
• Support other Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) activities.

Product Validation & Production Readiness

• Create and review First Article Inspection Reports (FAIR) in accordance with AS9102.
• Lead Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) activities, including review and approval of submission packages.
• Ensure alignment between design requirements, manufacturing processes, and inspection methods.
• Verify readiness for production through validation of product conformity and process capability.
• Interface with customers on FAI/PPAP submissions and approvals.

Return Material Authorization (RMA)

• Assist with RMA process, including investigation and disposition.
• Ensure proper documentation and communication with customers and internal teams.
• Drive corrective actions based on returned product analysis.

Additional Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with AS9100, ISO 9001, ISO17025, Nadcap, ITAR, and other applicable requirements.
• Promote a safe working environment in accordance with OSHA and company policies.
• Maintain regular attendance and punctuality.
• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS (5%)

• Maintain organized and compliant work environment.
• Support continuous improvement of quality systems and processes.
• Perform other duties as assigned by mana

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATES and / or EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, Science, or related field.
• Minimum 8+ years of relevant experience in aerospace or regulated manufacturing environment in a quality role.
• Demonstrated experience in leading quality initiatives and cross-functional teams.
• ASQ certification (CQE, CQA, CSSBB, etc.) preferred or in progress.

TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES

Advanced knowledge of:

• GD&T and blueprint interpretation
• Root cause analysis methodologies (8D, 5-Why, Ishikawa)
• Statistical analysis (SPC, capability studies)
• APQP, FMEA, control plans

Working knowledge of:

• Industry standards (AMS, ASTM, ASME, AWS, ISO, MIL, SAE)
• Experience with inspection equipment and methods (CMM, manual gaging, test methods)

LEADERSHIP & COMMUNICATION

• Proven ability to lead teams and influence cross-functional stakeholders.
• Strong communication skills with ability to interface with customers, suppliers, and auditors.
• Ability to develop and present technical reports and procedures.

COMPUTER SKILLS

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems (Epicor preferred)
• Experience with data analysis tools (MySQL, Minitab, SPC software preferred)

LANGUAGE SKILLS

• Ability to read, analyze and interpret technical specifications, common business documents, and industry publications.
• Ability to respond effectively to inquiries or complaints from manufacturing personnel.
• Ability to write technical reports or procedures and effectively present information to management, customers, vendors and employees.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

• Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inferences and fundamentals of planar and solid geometry and trigonometry.
• Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios and proportional to practical situations.

REASONING ABILITY

• Ability to work with principles of logical or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems.
• Ability to deal with nonverbal symbolism (formulas, scientific equations, graphs, etc.).

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• While performing the duties of this job the employee is frequently required to walk, sit, talk and hear, stand, use hands, reach with hands and arms, and climb or balance. Physical requirements are the ability to lift up to 25 pounds continuously, 50 pounds occasionally, or up to 100 pounds with assistance. Vision requirements include ability to adjust focus, depth perception, peripheral, distance, color and close vision.