Quality Control Engineer

Mission

To uphold and advance the highest standards of quality across all stages of manufacturing—ensuring compliance with AS9100 and customer-specific requirements through robust documentation, risk management, and process validation. This role exists to proactively prevent quality issues, support internal and customer-facing investigations, and strengthen our reputation as a trusted partner for mission-critical components.

Competencies – What This Person Must Be

Standards-Driven:
Understands and applies AS9100, ISO 9001, MIL-STD-1916 and customer-specific standards; ensures audits, validations, and ongoing operations meet all requirements.

Root Cause Problem Solver:
Leads investigations using 8D, 5 Whys, and Ishikawa methods to ensure sustainable corrective actions.

Process Control Advocate:
Uses SPC, PFMEA, control plans, and capability studies to ensure consistent, capable production.

Metrics-Driven:
Uses data analysis to monitor trends, reduce scrap, and eliminate recurrence of quality issues.

Customer-Focused:
Communicates clearly with aerospace, defense, and other high-stakes clients; drives issues to closure and delivers timely updates.

Cross-Functional Collaborator:
Partners with Engineering, Manufacturing, and Production teams to align on requirements, validate processes, and resolve issues quickly.

Detail-Oriented:
Manages documentation and compliance requirements with accuracy including FAIRs, PPAPs, CAPA records, SOPs, and quality alerts with full traceability.

Self-Directed and Proactive:
Takes initiative to identify and resolve quality risks without being prompted and with minimal supervision; follows through on actions with rigor and accountability.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive quality improvements through Gage R&R studies, Statistical Process Control (SPC), Six Sigma, and Lean Manufacturing tools.
• Lead investigations into internal and external quality issues; document findings and ensure timely resolution.
• Perform root cause analysis using structured problem-solving methods (8D, 5 Whys) and verify the effectiveness of corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
• Coordinate timely responses to Supplier Corrective Action Requests (SCAR), Non-Conformance Reports (NCR), customer complaints, and quality-related queries.
• Prepare and maintain First Article Inspection Reports (AS9102), Production Part Approval Process (PPAP-AS9145) documentation, and validation (IQ/OQ/PQ).
• Lead risk assessments (PFMEA) and develop control plans to mitigate quality risks.
• Track and analyze defects and scrap data to identify trends and prioritize corrective actions.
• Collaborate with manufacturing and engineering to improve processes and define inspection criteria.
• Own inspection processes, including CMM (Zeiss – Calypso), OGP, and Keyence programming, as well as inspection fixture design (SolidWorks preferred).
• Oversee QC personnel training in partnership with manufacturing engineering to establish visual standards and develop work instructions.
• Maintain SOPs, work instructions, inspection procedures, and training logs in compliance with AS9100.
• Support internal, customer, and regulatory audits, ensuring readiness and compliance.

Key Metrics & KPI's

• ≥ 98% Quality Shipments
• ≥ 90% Gage R&R Pass Rate
• ≥ 1.33 Cpk for Stable Processes
• ≤ 3% Internal Scrap Rate on assigned processes
• ≥ 95% CAPA Effectiveness
• ≥ 95% On-Time Submission of FAIRs, PPAPs, SCAR's, and CAPA's
• ≥ 95% Documentation Accuracy Rate

Required Experience And Qualifications (Subject To Management Discretion)

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, or a related Engineering field
• 3–5+ years of quality engineering experience in injection molding or precision manufacturing
• Working knowledge of AS9100, ISO 9001, and MIL-STD-1916
• Experience with FAIR, PPAP, SPC, PFMEA, control plans, and CAD (SolidWorks preferred)
• Proficiency in statistical tools (Minitab, JMP, Excel) and QMS/ERP systems
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

• ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or Six Sigma certification
• Experience in the defense, aerospace, or medical device industries
• Hands-on inspection experience, including CMM, optical, or non-contact methods
• Experience with CMM programming and operation (Zeiss – Calypso)

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk on the production floor for extended periods
• Capable of lifting up to 40 lbs and accessing production and inspection equipment
• Manual dexterity for handling tools, parts, and inspection equipment
• Visual acuity sufficient to read prints, inspect parts, and identify quality defects
• Tolerance for a manufacturing environment with heat, noise, and moving equipment

Work Environment

• Manufacturing facility with exposure to injection molding machines, CNC equipment, and secondary operations
• Requires use of PPE, including safety glasses, gloves, and hearing protection
• Frequent collaboration with production, maintenance, and engineering teams on the floor