Level II: 3-5 years. The Quality Engineer is a hands-on technical contributor responsible for executing quality engineering activities that support product conformity, defect prevention, and continuous improvement in a regulated aerospace environment. Reporting to the Quality Engineering Manager and working closely with Senior Quality Engineers, this role applies established quality tools, methodologies, and processes to identify issues, analyze data, support corrective actions, and improve process performance.
The Quality Engineer is deeply embedded in daily operations, working directly with Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality Control, and Supply Chain to ensure quality requirements are understood, implemented, and sustained in compliance with AS9100 and applicable regulatory and customer requirements.
Primary Responsibilities and Scope
The Quality Engineer is accountable for execution and follow-through of quality engineering work. This role focuses on doing the work—data collection, analysis, documentation, and coordination—while building experience, judgment, and technical depth for progression into senior quality engineering roles.
Quality Engineering Execution
•Executes assigned quality engineering activities in support of manufacturing, repair, and support processes
•Applies defined quality tools and methods to monitor process performance and identify improvement opportunities
•Supports implementation of control plans, inspection strategies, and risk mitigations defined by senior quality leadership
•Ensures quality requirements are properly reflected in daily operations
Data Collection, Analysis, and Reporting
•Collects, analyzes, and trends quality data related to defects, nonconformances, yields, and customer issues
•Prepares charts, summaries, and reports to support problem solving and management review discussions
•Identifies abnormal trends or emerging risks and escalates them appropriately
•Maintains accuracy, traceability, and integrity of quality engineering data
Nonconformance and Corrective Action Support
•Supports root cause analysis and corrective action activities led by Senior Quality Engineers
•Documents problem statements, data analysis, corrective actions, and effectiveness checks
•Tracks corrective action progress to closure and verifies implementation at the process level
•Ensures lessons learned are captured and communicated
Manufacturing and Engineering Support
•Works closely with Manufacturing and Engineering teams to address day-to-day quality issues
•Supports evaluation of process changes, deviations, and engineering changes for quality impact
•Assists in resolving producibility, repeatability, and workmanship issues
•Acts as a quality point of contact for assigned areas or processes
Customer and Audit Support
•Supports customer quality activities, including data preparation, issue investigation, and response development
•Assists with customer, certification body, and internal audits by preparing evidence and responding to findings related to assigned processes
•Ensures quality engineering records comply with QMS and regulatory requirements
Continuous Improvement
•Participates in continuous improvement initiatives focused on defect reduction, variation control, and process stability
•Applies basic Lean and Six Sigma concepts under guidance from senior team members
•Contributes to process standardization and documentation improvements
Expected Skills for Success
Hard Skills:
•Working knowledge of AS9100-based Quality Management Systems
•Familiarity with basic SPC, FMEA, Control Plans, Pareto analysis, and trend analysis
•Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and work instructions
•Competence in data collection, analysis, and technical documentation
•Proficiency with common quality and data tools
Soft Skills:
•Strong work ethic and ownership mindset
•Curiosity and desire to learn aerospace processes and regulatory expectations
•Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, production-driven environment
•Clear communicator who raises issues early and asks questions
•Receptive to coaching and feedback
Qualifications
•Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent experience
•Typically 2–5 years of experience in quality, manufacturing, engineering, or a related technical role
•Exposure to aerospace or regulated manufacturing environments preferred
•Formal quality certifications are a plus but not required
Organizational Impact
The Quality Engineer plays a critical role in keeping the quality system moving day-to-day. While the role does not set strategy or policy, its effectiveness directly impacts defect containment, corrective action throughput, process stability, and the ability of senior quality leaders to focus on systemic risk and prevention.
Quick Apply
No resume? Create a new profile
The Quality Engineer is deeply embedded in daily operations, working directly with Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality Control, and Supply Chain to ensure quality requirements are understood, implemented, and sustained in compliance with AS9100 and applicable regulatory and customer requirements.
Primary Responsibilities and Scope
The Quality Engineer is accountable for execution and follow-through of quality engineering work. This role focuses on doing the work—data collection, analysis, documentation, and coordination—while building experience, judgment, and technical depth for progression into senior quality engineering roles.
Quality Engineering Execution
•Executes assigned quality engineering activities in support of manufacturing, repair, and support processes
•Applies defined quality tools and methods to monitor process performance and identify improvement opportunities
•Supports implementation of control plans, inspection strategies, and risk mitigations defined by senior quality leadership
•Ensures quality requirements are properly reflected in daily operations
Data Collection, Analysis, and Reporting
•Collects, analyzes, and trends quality data related to defects, nonconformances, yields, and customer issues
•Prepares charts, summaries, and reports to support problem solving and management review discussions
•Identifies abnormal trends or emerging risks and escalates them appropriately
•Maintains accuracy, traceability, and integrity of quality engineering data
Nonconformance and Corrective Action Support
•Supports root cause analysis and corrective action activities led by Senior Quality Engineers
•Documents problem statements, data analysis, corrective actions, and effectiveness checks
•Tracks corrective action progress to closure and verifies implementation at the process level
•Ensures lessons learned are captured and communicated
Manufacturing and Engineering Support
•Works closely with Manufacturing and Engineering teams to address day-to-day quality issues
•Supports evaluation of process changes, deviations, and engineering changes for quality impact
•Assists in resolving producibility, repeatability, and workmanship issues
•Acts as a quality point of contact for assigned areas or processes
Customer and Audit Support
•Supports customer quality activities, including data preparation, issue investigation, and response development
•Assists with customer, certification body, and internal audits by preparing evidence and responding to findings related to assigned processes
•Ensures quality engineering records comply with QMS and regulatory requirements
Continuous Improvement
•Participates in continuous improvement initiatives focused on defect reduction, variation control, and process stability
•Applies basic Lean and Six Sigma concepts under guidance from senior team members
•Contributes to process standardization and documentation improvements
Expected Skills for Success
Hard Skills:
•Working knowledge of AS9100-based Quality Management Systems
•Familiarity with basic SPC, FMEA, Control Plans, Pareto analysis, and trend analysis
•Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and work instructions
•Competence in data collection, analysis, and technical documentation
•Proficiency with common quality and data tools
Soft Skills:
•Strong work ethic and ownership mindset
•Curiosity and desire to learn aerospace processes and regulatory expectations
•Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, production-driven environment
•Clear communicator who raises issues early and asks questions
•Receptive to coaching and feedback
Qualifications
•Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent experience
•Typically 2–5 years of experience in quality, manufacturing, engineering, or a related technical role
•Exposure to aerospace or regulated manufacturing environments preferred
•Formal quality certifications are a plus but not required
Organizational Impact
The Quality Engineer plays a critical role in keeping the quality system moving day-to-day. While the role does not set strategy or policy, its effectiveness directly impacts defect containment, corrective action throughput, process stability, and the ability of senior quality leaders to focus on systemic risk and prevention.