Program Quality Engineer

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About the role

The Program Quality Engineer coordinates and performs in-house project quality assurance activities to ensure products and processes meet ISO and AS9100C requirements. This role oversees quality audits, evaluations, reviews, and continuous QA process improvements while maintaining quality procedures, work instructions, quality records, and inspection instructions. The engineer collaborates closely with cross-functional teams and suppliers, conducts on-site and supplier inspections, and establishes and maintains artifacts that support established quality assurance processes.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and perform in-house project quality assurance functions, including quality audits, evaluations, reviews, and process improvements in accordance with ISO standards.
• Review, maintain, and improve QA processes, work instructions, quality records, and source inspection instructions to ensure consistency and compliance.
• Establish and maintain artifacts and documentation required to support established quality assurance processes.
• Conduct and participate in internal, external, and customer quality audits of products and processes to ensure compliance with AS9100C requirements.
• Support and perform internal AS9100 audits, including preparation, execution, documentation, and follow-up on findings.
• Coordinate the investigation of nonconforming products, including field returns, internal nonconformances, and supplier issues, to determine root cause and define corrective and preventative actions.
• Manage and follow up on deviations, ensuring appropriate disposition and documentation in alignment with quality requirements.
• Participate in Process Improvement Teams to support continuous improvement of existing processes for internal operations and suppliers.
• Review manufacturing processes to establish required inspection points and help prepare task-specific inspection instructions for in-process and final inspections.
• Assist manufacturing and inspection personnel in interpreting contractual and specification requirements to ensure products meet customer and regulatory expectations.
• Work with quality assurance and manufacturing teams to ensure prompt disposition of questionable or nonconforming material, minimizing impact on production flow.
• Serve as a quality assurance representative on the Material Review Board, including writing and tracking MRB documentation and ensuring required actions are completed prior to final approval.
• Request, verify, and track Corrective Action Requests and Non-Conformance Requests when issues are severe or systemic, and respond to customer requests for corrective action as needed.
• Review shipping documentation for compliance with contract requirements and ensure appropriate customer sign-off prior to shipment.
• Collaborate on a day-to-day basis with customer and supplier representatives to address and resolve quality issues.
• Collect, analyze, and organize quality-related data, preparing reports for management, ISO compliance, and customer reporting.
• Contribute to continual improvement initiatives from a quality perspective in alignment with ISO standards.
• Support quality audits and document control, including tracking procedures, change control, revisions, dates, and signatures within document control systems.
• Attend program status reviews, respond to quality issues, and provide timely updates on quality performance and risk areas.
• Prepare and present quality performance status reports, both overall and project-specific, for internal stakeholders and customers.
• Assist in the development, tracking, and reporting of metrics such as scrap, rework, supplier performance, and FRACAS to highlight opportunities for improvement.
• Support other quality-related activities as needed, within the scope of skills and knowledge, to meet organizational and program objectives.

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience in quality assurance source and final inspection.
• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Management, Mechanical Engineering, or an equivalent discipline.
• Experience in contract manufacturing CCA inspection in accordance with IPC-610, IPC-620, and J-STD-001 Class 3.
• Knowledge of AS9100C processes and their application within a production environment.
• Strong background in production and inspection processes for contract assembly of printed circuit boards and electromechanical assemblies, harnesses, and wiring.
• Extensive experience in inspection or testing of electrical sub-assemblies, mechanical parts, and build-to-print items.
• Proficiency in in-process and final inspection and evaluation of hardware and associated contract manufacturing processes, including preparing daily and weekly reports.
• Ability to read and comprehend engineering drawings, specifications, technical documentation, and contracts for build-to-print and PCB assembly.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, databases, and ERP systems (experience with Infor Syteline is preferred).
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team to resolve product and process quality issues and to take a lead role when required.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to apply knowledge of quality and contract requirements, manufacturing processes, inspection concepts, and AQL acceptance criteria.
• Above-average written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to define and communicate issues clearly and concisely to various organizational levels.
• Ability to interpret various forms of assembly documentation accurately and consistently.
• High level of focus and attention to detail in all quality-related tasks.
• Authorization to work in the United States and eligibility to obtain a passport and security clearance.
• Ability and willingness to pass a security background screening process.
• Willingness to work beyond the regular work schedule when necessary to meet program and quality commitments.

Skills

• Defense industry experience is a plus.
• Formal certification in performing internal quality audits is a plus.
• Internal Auditor Certification is a plus.
• Quality-related certifications and/or membership in professional quality organizations (such as ASQ) are a plus.
• Experience with FRACAS and other quality metrics and reporting systems is beneficial.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build cooperative working relationships with system engineers, manufacturing, procurement, contract specialists, production workers, customer users, and quality representatives.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and guide cross-functional teams in resolving quality issues and driving process improvements.

Work Environment

This is an on-site role in a production and manufacturing environment focused on contract assembly of printed circuit boards, electromechanical assemblies, harnesses, and wiring. The Program Quality Engineer works closely with manufacturing, inspection, engineering, procurement, and customer and supplier representatives on the shop floor and in office settings. The position involves regular interaction with ERP systems, Microsoft Office tools, and document control systems, as well as frequent engagement with inspection and test activities at in-process and final stages. The work may require occasional visits to supplier facilities for audits and inspections, participation in internal and external audits, and attendance at program status reviews. The schedule is primarily standard business hours, with flexibility and occasional extended hours required to support production schedules, audits, and critical quality issues.

Pay

The pay range for this position is $100,000.00 - $120,000.00 per year. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Benefits

• MetLife benefits
• BCBS superior vision plan
• Aflac