Quality Engineer

About the role

At CIS Secure, we protect the nation’s most critical missions by delivering secure, high‑performance communications and networking solutions to defense and intelligence customers worldwide. Reporting to the Director of Quality Assurance, the Quality Engineer will lead quality efforts across New Product Introduction, manufacturing, and supplier engagement, ensuring compliance with AS9100, AS9145, and AS9102 while strengthening process capability and reliability. The role partners with engineering, operations, and customers, applying advanced quality tools to investigate issues, implement corrective actions, and continuously improve performance.

Responsibilities

• Conduct compliance checks to improve processes and drive actions resulting from Continuous Improvement initiatives.
• Perform and support internal and external quality audits.
• Ensure project and process control documentation complies with contractual, regulatory, and company requirements.
• Author and maintain Quality Management System (QMS) documentation, including policies, procedures, inspection checklists, and work instructions.
• Serve as the quality representative during customer audits and support resolution of customer quality concerns.
• Flow down quality requirements to internal operations and external suppliers.
• Lead quality activities for New Product Introduction (NPI) in accordance with AS9145 Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) processes.
• Participate in design reviews to ensure manufacturability (DFM), reliability, and quality requirements are achieved.
• Perform First Article Inspection (FAI) and review results for compliance with AS9102 requirements.
• Apply quality planning tools and methodologies such as FMEA, PPAP, SPC, and Control Plans.
• Develop, implement, and maintain quality control procedures, including in‑process inspections, to ensure stable and capable manufacturing processes.
• Assist Manufacturing Operations with special processes and ensure compliance with AS9100 special process requirements.
• Interpret engineering drawings, specifications, tolerances, BOMs, and work instructions to ensure product conformity.
• Oversee product testing, including AOI and functional testing, and validate inspection and test equipment (Gauge R&R).
• Investigate quality issues and lead root cause analysis using structured methodologies such as 8D, 5 Whys, and Fishbone diagrams.
• Implement corrective and preventive actions to prevent recurrence and improve overall product and process quality.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives using established quality tools and error‑proofing techniques.
• Utilize industry‑standard quality tools and methodologies, including Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), Statistical Process Control (SPC), Production Part Approval Process (PPAP), and Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA).

Qualifications

• U.S. Person with ability to obtain and maintain a government security clearance (active clearance not required).
• Bachelor’s degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics discipline.
• American Society for Quality (ASQ) certifications – desired.
• Minimum 6 years relevant quality assurance experience in the aerospace/DoD environment.
• At least 5 years experience auditing and maintaining compliance with ISO 9001, AS9100, AS9145, and AS9102.
• At least 5 years experience with Quality Auditing and Continuous Improvement tools (Kaizen, Six Sigma, Fishbone Diagram, Poka‑Yoke, RCCA).
• At least 4 years authoring policy, process, and procedure documentation compliant with ISO 9001, AS9100, AS9145, and AS9102.
• Experience with AS9145 and Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP).
• Proficiency with tools such as PPAP, Key Characteristics, DFMEA, PFMEA, and Control Plans.

Desired Skills and Experience

• Experience working in a manufacturing organization utilizing IPC‑610 and IPC‑620 standards.
• Experience leading or participating in 8D/RCCA analyses and Material Review Board (MRB) activities.
• Material Review Board experience.

Physical Requirements

This position operates in a professional office environment. The employee must be able to remain in a stationary computer position for extended periods, use hands and fingers to type, reach with hands and arms for computer use, and occasionally lift 5–20 pounds. Flexibility in work hours may be required as project demands arise. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Schedule

Standard working hours are expected, with some variability based on surge requirements. The role is onsite at the Ashburn headquarters. Travel is less than 10%.

Pay

Full‑time (onsite) – $80,000.00 – $125,000.00 per year.

Benefits

• 401(k) with company matching
• Dental insurance
• Medical insurance
• Health Savings Account option
• Flexible Spending
• Vision insurance
• Life and Disability Insurance
• Ancillary offerings (Hospital Indemnity, Accident, Critical Illness, Pet Insurance)
• Paid Time Off
• Holiday pay