Quality Engineer

Job Title: Quality Engineer Job Description The Quality Engineer leads quality planning, process control, and continuous improvement activities within a manufacturing environment. This role focuses on developing and maintaining PFMEAs and Control Plans, driving risk-based thinking, improving process capability, and ensuring robust inspection and testing practices. The Quality Engineer collaborates closely with Engineering, Production, and Quality Control teams to reduce variation, prevent defects, and support compliance with relevant quality standards and customer requirements.

Responsibilities Lead the development, facilitation, and maintenance of Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (PFMEA) for key manufacturing processes. Create, implement, and maintain Control Plans that align with PFMEA risks and identified Critical-to-Quality (CTQ) characteristics. Identify CTQ characteristics and ensure appropriate process and inspection controls are implemented and sustained.

Support Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) and Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) activities in line with customer and program requirements. Drive risk-based thinking throughout quality planning and execution to proactively identify and mitigate potential issues. Analyze manufacturing processes, including assembly, expansion, brazing, testing, and related operations, to identify variation, risk, and opportunities for improvement.

Establish and continuously improve in-process inspection strategies to detect and prevent defects at the source. Support implementation and enhancement of Quality at the Source (QAS) systems to embed quality into production processes. Monitor and improve process capability, including Cp and Cpk where applicable, to ensure processes consistently meet specifications. Lead initiatives to reduce scrap, rework, and customer escapes by driving robust corrective and preventive actions.

Lead nonconformance investigations for Nonconformance Reports (NCRs), Corrective Action Requests (CARs), and customer complaints, including RMAs and SCARs. Use structured problem-solving tools such as 8D, 5 Whys, and Fishbone (Ishikawa) diagrams to determine root causes and develop effective solutions. Ensure corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) are effectively implemented, verified, and sustained over time.

Track, analyze, and report trends in quality data to identify systemic issues and drive continuous improvement. Develop and validate inspection methods and acceptance criteria to ensure consistent and reliable product evaluation. Ensure inspection and testing activities align with internal standards and customer specifications. Support calibration requirements and promote effective measurement systems, including Measurement System Analysis (MSA) where applicable.

Collaborate with the Quality Control team to ensure inspection plans are practical, effective, and aligned with production needs. Partner with Engineering on design reviews, tolerance analysis, and process feasibility assessments to ensure manufacturability and quality. Work with Production to ensure standard work is followed and quality expectations are clearly communicated and understood. Support supplier quality and incoming inspection activities to ensure purchased materials and components meet requirements.

Ensure compliance with applicable quality management standards and customer-specific requirements, including aerospace and welding/brazing standards such as AS9100 and AWS, as well as DFARS or similar requirements where applicable. Support internal and external audits by providing documentation, evidence, and process knowledge. Assist in developing, updating, and maintaining quality-related procedures and work instructions to reflect best practices and current requirements.

Essential Skills Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or Industrial Engineering (required; no exceptions). 3–7+ years of experience in a manufacturing quality role. Pr