NPI Quality Engineer
PDW · Huntsville, AL · 1 mo ago
On-siteQuality AssuranceFull-time
What You'll Do
- Own quality deliverables for new product introductions from prototype through production ramp, ensuring each build phase meets PDW's standards for reliability, manufacturability, and mission readiness.
- Partner with Engineering and Program Management to integrate quality milestones into the NPI schedule and communicate readiness, risks, and mitigation plans to key stakeholders.
- Develop and maintain control plans, inspection criteria, and test procedures for new assemblies, production processes, and critical-to-quality characteristics.
- Support Engineering Change Requests and Engineering Change Orders (ECRs/ECOs) with clear assessment of quality, reliability, traceability, and compliance impacts.
- Lead root cause and corrective action (RCCA) investigations for prototype and pilot build issues, driving containment, corrective action, and prevention of recurrence.
- Collaborate with Design Engineering and Manufacturing Engineering to incorporate design-for-quality, design-for-manufacturing, and design-for-assembly principles into new products.
- Partner with Supplier Quality Engineering and Supply Chain to qualify new suppliers and verify that incoming materials and components meet PDW quality requirements.
- Support the transition from development to production by validating process readiness, operator training, tooling, equipment qualification, and build documentation.
- Identify and execute process improvements that improve yield, reduce rework and scrap, and strengthen product reliability across pilot and production builds.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Manufacturing, Quality Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
- 4+ years of Quality Engineering experience, preferably supporting new product introduction, complex assembly manufacturing, aerospace, defense, or mission-critical systems.
- Working knowledge of APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, control plans, RCCA, and other structured quality planning and problem-solving methodologies.
- Experience supporting ECR/ECO processes, process validation, supplier qualification, and quality requirements flow-down.
- Familiarity with AS9100, ISO 9001, or comparable quality management system requirements.
- Proficiency with statistical process control (SPC), quality metrics, data analysis, and data-driven continuous improvement.
- Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across Engineering, Supply Chain, Production, Program Management, and Quality teams.
- Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, iterative environment with shifting priorities, aggressive schedules, and high accountability for results.
Core Competencies
- NPI execution: Demonstrated ability to support disciplined, on-time transitions from prototype to production while minimizing quality escapes.
- Quality performance: Proven ability to reduce defects, improve yield, and drive corrective action across pilot and production builds.
- Cross-functional leadership: Ability to align Engineering, Supply Chain, Program Management, Production, and Quality teams around launch readiness and mission performance.
Benefits
- Comprehensive BCBS medical, dental, and vision coverage; 80% sponsored by the company.
- Safe Harbor 401(K) with company match.
- Paid Parental Leave.
- A work environment that encourages teamwork and innovation.
- On-site gym
- Employer provided life insurance.
- Robust Employee Assistant Program (EAP).
- Competitive salary, generous paid time off (PTO), and flexible leave options.