Quality Engineer

Job Title: Quality Engineer

Department: Quality

Reports To: Quality Manager

FLSA Status: Exempt

SUMMARY

Quality Engineer is a hands-on technical leader responsible for the engineering side of our quality management system, supporting the manufacture of energetic products and explosives for U.S. defense and commercial customers. Applies military specifications and standards, customer drawings, and contract quality requirements to plan, verify, and improve product quality from incoming material through final acceptance. Leads root cause investigations, corrective and preventive actions, and Material Review Board activities, and serves as a technical voice for Quality with production, engineering, customers, and government representatives. Leads by example and helps build a culture where quality is owned by everyone on the floor. Believes in a proactive approach rather than reactive.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Interpreting contract, drawing, and specification requirements (MIL-STD, MIL-DTL, MIL-PRF, and customer technical data packages) and translating them into inspection plans, test procedures, and acceptance criteria
• Developing and maintaining inspection and test plans, control plans, and sampling plans (MIL-STD-1916, ANSI/ASQ Z1.4) for incoming, in-process, and final inspection
• Leading the Corrective Action / Preventive Action system, including structured root cause analysis (8D, 5-Why, fishbone, FMEA) and verifying the effectiveness of corrective actions
• Leading the Material Review Board (MRB) and nonconforming material process, including dispositions, Requests for Deviation/Waiver, and customer notification
• Planning and performing First Article Inspections (FAI) and lot acceptance testing, and preparing acceptance documentation and product certifications
• Applying statistical methods (SPC, process capability, measurement system analysis) to monitor processes and drive defect reduction
• Supporting internal, customer, and DCMA audits to ISO 9001 (and AS9100 where applicable) requirements
• Preparing reports by collecting, analyzing and summarizing quality data and metrics for management review
• Working with production to meet delivery deadlines without compromising product quality or safety

Leadership:

Serves as a quality leader within the organization, setting the example for disciplined work practices, procedure compliance, and attention to detail on the production floor.

Provides technical direction, training, and mentoring to quality inspectors, lab technicians, and production personnel on inspection methods, work instructions, and quality requirements.

May provide direct or functional supervision of quality inspectors and technicians. Represents the Quality department in program reviews, new product introductions, and production planning meetings.

Serves as backup to the Quality Manager as needed.

Quality Engineering:

Reviews new and revised drawings, specifications, and technical data packages to identify critical characteristics, inspection requirements, and producibility concerns.

Defines inspection methods, gaging, and fixtures, and supports Non-Destructive Testing (e.g. X-Radiography, Dye Penetrant) and laboratory test methods for energetic materials and products.

Develops process FMEAs and control plans for new and changed processes, including energetic loading, assembly, and pack (LAP) operations.

Supports process qualification and validation, engineering change control, and Engineering Change Proposals (ECPs).

Ensures product identification, lot traceability, and lot documentation meet contract and specification requirements.

Quality Assurance:

Maintains and improves the Quality Management System to meet ISO 9001 requirements, and supports alignment with AS9100 where required by customers.

Reviews all quality requirements included on purchase orders, contracts, and flow-downs (including FAR/DFARS quality clauses), and ensures they are met.

Works closely with DCMA and customer quality representatives for contracts requiring government source inspection, oversight, and acceptance.

Evaluates and monitors supplier quality, performs source inspection when required, issues and follows up on Supplier Corrective Action Requests, and supports counterfeit material prevention.

Supports the metrology and calibration program to ensure all gages and inspection equipment are calibrated and controlled.

Plans and conducts internal quality audits and tracks findings through closure.

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. Experienced in the ability to read/understand documents.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's degree (B.S.) in Mechanical, Chemical, Industrial, or Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical field, from a four year college or university; or equivalent combination of education and experience. 5+ years of quality engineering experience in a defense, aerospace, or munitions manufacturing environment. Experience in energetics, ordnance, or explosives manufacturing preferred.

OTHER SKILLS

Industrial NDT methods (e.g. X-Radiography) training/certifications preferred. Strong math and computer skills required. General knowledge of lean manufacturing, program/project management, etc. preferred. Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the confidence to work directly with customers, suppliers, and government representatives. Good organizational skills and time management practices are necessary. Ability to manage multiple projects/programs simultaneously in a fast-paced environment required.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

AES is an Equal Opportunity Employer: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation and gender identity, pregnancy, genetic information, national origin, mental or physical disability or protected veteran status.

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