Quality Engineering Lead

Quality Engineering Lead

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree with 8-12 years of prior relevant work experience or Masters degree with 6-10 of prior relevant work experience in a AS9100 regulated aerospace/defense environment.
• 3+ years of experience leading or managing Quality Engineers.
• Strong knowledge of AS9100, NADCAP, and aerospace industry standards.
• Hands-on experience with FAI (AS9102), PPAP, RCCA (8D, 5-Why), and quality tools.
• Proficiency in GD&T, statistical analysis, and risk management tools (FMEA, PFMEA, DFMEA).
• Experience working with customer quality representatives, suppliers, and regulatory bodies.
• Candidate must have a BS degree and 8 years of relevant experience. In lieu of a degree, a High School diploma/GED or equivalent education with 10 years of relevant experience will be considered.
• Candidate must have experience working with non-conforming material, performing failure analysis, identifying root cause and implementing corrective action.
• Candidate must be a US Citizen and possess (as well as maintain) a Final Secret Clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of Quality Engineers supporting the AS9100 program.
• Assign responsibilities, set priorities, and provide guidance on quality-related tasks.
• Develop and support training programs to enhance team capabilities.
• Ensure adherence to AS9100, customer, and regulatory requirements across the program.
• Lead risk management, root cause analysis, and corrective/preventive action (RCCA/CAPA) initiatives.
• Drive First Article Inspections (FAIs), PPAP, and process validations per industry standards.
• Support Design Reviews, Manufacturing Readiness Reviews (MRRs), and Configuration Control Boards (CCBs).
• Act as the primary quality representative for the program, ensuring alignment with customer expectations.
• Lead customer audits, source inspections, and quality reviews.
• Collaborate with Program Management and Engineering to resolve quality-related challenges.
• Utilize metrics and data analysis to identify trends, drive improvements, and reduce defects.
• Lead process improvement initiatives (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma, Zero Defect initiatives).
• Champion a culture of quality and accountability within the organization.

Preferred Qualifications

• Optics Background is preferred but not required
• Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Six Sigma Green/Black Belt, or AS9100 Lead Auditor certification.
• Experience with DoD, NASA, or hypersonic programs.
• Familiarity with APQP, MSA, and digital transformation initiatives in quality.
• Candidate should have at least 3 years of quality experience in an ISO9001/AS9100 system or equivalent experience in DOD, Aerospace, or Automotive manufacturing quality control.