Quality Assurance Technician

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc., is a leading defense technology company focused on uncrewed systems, satellite communications, cyber security/warfare, microwave electronics, missile defense, training, and combat systems. Our customers include the U.S. federal government, foreign governments, commercial enterprises, and state and local government agencies. At Kratos, we prioritize affordability as a cornerstone of our technology, leveraging proven, cutting-edge methodologies to minimize costs, streamline schedules, and mitigate risks.

About the role

The Quality Assurance Technician supports day-to-day Quality Management System (QMS) compliance and verifies that manufacturing and quality processes are consistently executed in accordance with approved procedures, work instructions, travelers, engineering requirements, customer requirements, and applicable quality standards. This role has a strong shop-floor presence and focuses on process confirmation, layered process audits, periodic job observations, Gemba verification, employee job certification, on-the-job training effectiveness, documentation compliance, and production record accuracy. Reporting to the Quality Manager, the Quality Assurance Technician works closely with Quality, Manufacturing, Engineering, and Operations teams.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine process confirmation activities to verify work is being performed in accordance with approved drawings, travelers, work instructions, procedures, specifications, and quality requirements.
• Conduct periodic job observations to confirm employee adherence to established standard work and process requirements.
• Perform Layered Process Audits (LPAs) and document findings, actions, and follow-up.
• Conduct regular Gemba observations throughout manufacturing and assembly areas.
• Verify required inspection, test, documentation, traceability, and process-control steps are being completed.
• Identify deviations from approved processes and escalate issues to Quality and Operations leadership.
• Follow up on identified process gaps to verify corrective actions have been implemented and remain effective.
• Administer and maintain employee job-certification programs for manufacturing, assembly, inspection, test, and other controlled operations.
• Coordinate initial certification, periodic recertification, and qualification requirements.
• Support and verify On-the-Job Training (OJT) activities.
• Confirm employees demonstrate required knowledge and practical competency before independent performance of certified operations.
• Maintain employee training, qualification, and certification records.
• Monitor certification expiration dates and support timely recertification.
• Work with Quality, Manufacturing, and Engineering personnel to develop practical qualification criteria and competency checklists.
• Identify recurring training or competency gaps and communicate improvement opportunities to leadership.
• Support internal audits, customer audits, regulatory audits, and AS9100 Quality Management System activities.
• Conduct scheduled process and compliance audits within assigned operational areas.
• Maintain objective evidence demonstrating compliance with QMS requirements.
• Assist with corrective-action follow-up resulting from audits, process observations, and identified compliance gaps.
• Support continuous audit readiness by ensuring required records and documentation are complete, accurate, controlled, and retrievable.
• Reinforce requirements related to configuration control, traceability, calibration, FOD, documentation, inspection status, product identification, and record retention.
• Review manufacturing travelers, inspection records, test records, training records, and other production documentation for completeness and accuracy.
• Verify required signoffs, inspection points, certifications, and approvals are completed before product progresses to subsequent operations.
• Support maintenance and control of organizational quality records and electronic quality-system data.
• Identify incomplete, inaccurate, or missing production records and coordinate correction with responsible personnel.
• Support electronic QMS systems, including TIPQA or equivalent platforms.
• Support identification, documentation, containment, and investigation of nonconforming products or processes.
• Assist Quality Engineering with collection of data and objective evidence required for root cause and corrective-action investigations.
• Identify recurring process deviations, documentation issues, or workmanship concerns and escalate trends.
• Support implementation and verification of corrective actions.
• Assist with incoming, in-process, and final inspection activities as production demands require.
• Support First Article Inspection (FAI), inspection, testing, and product verification activities as assigned.
• Identify opportunities to improve standard work, process controls, training effectiveness, documentation, and operational discipline.
• Participate in continuous improvement activities focused on reducing defects, rework, process variation, and operational delays.
• Promote quality at the source and reinforce employee ownership of product and process quality.
• Provide feedback to Quality and Operations leadership regarding recurring process, training, documentation, or compliance risks.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Associate degree, technical certification, or vocational training preferred.
• 2+ years of experience in quality, manufacturing, inspection, aerospace, defense, automotive, or another regulated manufacturing environment preferred.
• Previous experience supporting quality audits, process compliance, employee training, or job-certification programs preferred.
• Experience working within an ISO 9001, AS9100, or similar regulated Quality Management System preferred.
• ASQ Certified Quality Technician (CQT), Certified Quality Inspector (CQI), or similar certification is a plus.

Skills

• Working knowledge of manufacturing and quality assurance practices.
• Working knowledge of ISO 9001 and/or AS9100 Quality Management Systems.
• Ability to read and follow engineering drawings, work instructions, travelers, specifications, and procedures.
• Understanding of process audits, Layered Process Audits, standard work, and process confirmation principles.
• Ability to observe manufacturing activities objectively and identify deviations from documented requirements.
• Strong attention to documentation accuracy, traceability, and record control.
• Ability to train, coach, and evaluate employee competency in a constructive and professional manner.
• Strong organizational and follow-up skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with production employees, supervisors, engineers, inspectors, and management.
• Ability to work independently and maintain multiple certification, audit, and compliance activities simultaneously.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and electronic QMS/ERP systems.
• TIPQA experience preferred.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, 5S/6S, Gemba, and continuous-improvement principles preferred.

Work Environment

• Combination of manufacturing, inspection, test, and office environments.
• Frequent presence on the manufacturing floor is required.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods while conducting process observations and audits.
• Ability to safely work around manufacturing equipment and test operations.
• Ability to lift parts, materials, or documentation up to 50 pounds as required.
• Must comply with applicable PPE, FOD, ESD, safety, and controlled area requirements.

Travel

Limited travel, generally 0–10%, as required to support training, audits, suppliers, customers, or other Kratos locations.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance Coverage
• Life/ADD & Short/Long Term Disability Insurance
• 401(k) Savings Plan
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
• Paid Time-Off (PTO)
• Holidays
• Education Reimbursement