Product Quality Engineer

Position Summary

The Product Quality Engineer is responsible for ensuring that manufactured products meet all engineering specifications, contractual requirements, and regulatory standards throughout the full product lifecycle — from initial production through field deployment and sustainment. This role places particular emphasis on field operations quality, requiring the engineer to deploy to operational sites, conduct in-field inspections and root cause investigations, and drive corrective actions that bridge the gap between factory and field performance. The successful candidate combines hands-on technical depth with strong communication skills to serve as the quality voice across production, engineering, and field operations teams.

Key Responsibilities

Production Quality

• Lead and execute product inspection, verification, and acceptance activities throughout the manufacturing process.
• Develop, maintain, and improve inspection plans, quality control procedures, and acceptance criteria aligned with engineering drawings and specifications.
• Conduct first article inspections (FAI), in-process inspections, and final acceptance testing; document results and disposition nonconforming material.
• Analyze production quality data (defect rates, yield, SPC trends) to identify systemic issues and drive continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with manufacturing engineering on process capability studies and design-for-quality initiatives.

Field Operations Quality

• Deploy to customer and operational field sites to perform quality assessments, product inspections, and failure investigations on fielded hardware.
• Serve as the on-site quality representative during integration, test, and acceptance events at field locations.
• Lead root cause and corrective action (RCCA) investigations for field failures, including 8D, fishbone, and 5-Why analyses; drive timely closure of corrective actions.
• Establish and maintain field quality feedback loops to ensure lessons learned are incorporated into production processes and design changes.
• Coordinate with field service, logistics, and customer support teams to triage quality escapes and prioritize resolution.

Quality Systems and Compliance

• Support and sustain the Quality Management System (QMS) in accordance with AS9100, ISO 9001, or equivalent standards.
• Participate in internal and external audits; own audit findings and drive corrective actions to closure.
• Author and revise quality procedures, work instructions, and inspection records as needed.
• Ensure compliance with applicable government, customer, and regulatory quality requirements.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Industrial, Aerospace, Manufacturing, or related discipline).
• Minimum 5 years of progressive experience in a product quality, quality engineering, or quality assurance role within a manufacturing or production environment.
• Demonstrated experience conducting quality activities in field or operational environments — not solely factory-based.
• Working knowledge of root cause analysis methodologies (8D, 5-Why, Ishikawa) and statistical quality tools (SPC, Pareto, capability analysis).
• Familiarity with quality management system standards (AS9100, ISO 9001, or equivalent).
• Proficiency in reading and interpreting engineering drawings, GD&T, and technical specifications.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to produce clear investigation reports and present findings to cross-functional stakeholders.
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 30%, including to remote or austere field sites.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in defense, aerospace, or other highly regulated industry.
• ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Certified Quality Auditor (CQA), or Six Sigma Green/Black Belt.
• Hands-on experience with CMM, optical measurement, or other metrology equipment.
• Prior experience supporting government or military customers in field environments.
• Familiarity with MIL-STD inspection and sampling standards (e.g., MIL-STD-1916, ANSI/ASQ Z1.4).
• Experience with PLM, MES, or ERP-based quality modules (e.g., SAP QM, Windchill, Arena).

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

• Combination of office, factory floor, and field site environments. May include exposure to outdoor conditions, confined spaces, or elevated work areas at field locations.
• Ability to stand, walk, and perform hands-on inspections for extended periods. Occasional lifting up to 35 lbs.
• May require the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance.

This position description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Management reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet organizational needs.