About the role

The Quality Engineer is responsible for engineering, applying, and continuously improving quality systems, methods, and risk controls that ensure compliant, repeatable production of government and defense products. This role applies risk-based quality engineering principles, including MIL-STD-1916 where permitted or required, to prevent defects, reduce variation, and ensure compliance with ISO 9001 and all contractually flowed-down government and customer requirements as defined within the company’s Quality Management System (QMS).

This position is technical and execution-focused, without direct people management responsibility.

Core Responsibilities

Quality Engineering & Risk-Based Prevention

Develop, validate, and improve inspection methods and acceptance strategies aligned with customer requirements and risk-based principles
Apply MIL-STD-1916 concepts where required, and AQL-based inspection approaches for OEM products
Translate Government Technical Data Packages (TDPs), drawings, and specifications into effective inspection and process control plans
Lead PFMEA and other process risk analyses to identify, document, and mitigate quality risks
Perform Measurement System Analysis (MSA) to ensure integrity of inspection equipment and acceptance data
Apply statistical and analytical methods to identify process variation and systemic quality risk

Nonconformance, MRB & CAPA Execution

Lead or actively participate in Material Review Board (MRB) activities, ensuring dispositions comply with internal QMS, and/or TDP and contract requirements as applicable
Drive Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) as assigned from initiation through verification of effectiveness
Perform structured root cause analysis to address systemic causes, not isolated defects
Analyze nonconformance and MRB trends to drive preventive actions and risk reduction

Government / Defense Contract Quality Support

Interpret and apply Government Technical Data Packages (TDPs), drawings, specifications, and quality provisions
Support First Article Inspection (FAI) and Initial Production Inspection (IPI) planning, execution, and objective evidence review
Ensure quality records meet auditable objective evidence requirements for DCMA, customer, and third-party audits
Support source inspections, government visits, and customer audits as required
Identify and escalate conflicts or ambiguities between TDPs, specifications, and internal standards

Supplier Quality Engineering

Plan and conduct supplier quality audits focused on process capability, QMS effectiveness, and risk management
Evaluate supplier inspection methods, sampling plans, and measurement systems, including awareness of MIL-STD-1916 concepts
Manage supplier nonconformances and corrective actions to verified closure
Support supplier development activities to reduce recurring quality issues

Quality System & Audit Support

Ensure activities comply with ISO 9001 and internal QMS procedures
Participate in internal, customer, and third-party audits with emphasis on system effectiveness and objective evidence
Support improvements to quality procedures, work instructions, and forms
Serve as a quality engineering subject matter expert during design and process changes

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, or related technical discipline
5+ years of quality engineering experience in a manufacturing environment
Experience supporting government or defense contracts
Working knowledge of ISO 9001, CAPA, MRB, PFMEA, and supplier quality best practices
Experience reading and interpreting Government Technical Data Packages (TDPs)

Preferred Qualifications

Familiarity with MIL-STD-1916 and risk-based acceptance methodologies
ASQ certification (CQE, CQA, or equivalent)
Strong working knowledge of MSA, SPC, and statistical methods
Experience supporting FAI, DCMA, or prime contractor audits
Familiarity with ERP and electronic QMS tools

Core Competencies

Risk-based and systems-level thinking
Strong root cause analysis and corrective action discipline
Ability to interpret government drawings and specifications
Clear technical communication suitable for audit and customer interaction
Practical, prevention-focused approach to defense quality compliance

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