Quality Engineer

Overview

As Chemring Energetic Devices (CED) celebrates 50 years of building products that protect our country, protect the individual warfighter, and send rockets into outer space, our growth is creating new opportunities to expand our team with talented individuals who want to shape the next era of mission‑critical innovation. CED is located in Downers Grove, Illinois, a commuter train ride west of Chicago and a short drive from farmland.

CED’s current salary range for this role is $84,000 to $108,500 per year. Compensation may vary based on education, skills, experience, performance, shift, location, and geography. Total compensation may include participation in a bonus, commission, or incentive program. Benefits include medical, dental, vision coverage; paid time off; disability insurance; 401(k) with company match; life insurance; voluntary supplemental coverages; parental leave; adoption assistance;

tuition assistance; and employer/partner discounts. CED follows a 9/80 work schedule allowing employees to enjoy alternating Fridays off.

The Quality Engineer (QE) ensures products and processes meet customer, regulatory, and internal quality requirements while acting as a key representative of the Quality Assurance function. The role leads root‑cause analysis, corrective and preventive actions, and continuous‑improvement initiatives, and may serve as a primary customer interface for quality‑related concerns, audits, and issue resolution. The QE is a critical component of CED’s internal audit process for preparing for internal and external audits.

• Coordinate and facilitate customer‑required test witnessing and examination of product functions, including arranging for and supporting customer source inspections in accordance with contractual requirements.
• Conduct quality tests, compile and analyze performance data, prepare detailed reports, and present findings to support product and process improvements.
• Ensure compliance with customer and/or industry requirements needed for product design and assembly.
• Understand and interpret all manufacturing audits, including AS9100D, ISO 9001, customer requirements, and other industry standards.
• Review and interpret customer, engineering, and manufacturing specifications to lead internal quality activities, drive root‑cause analysis, validate corrective actions, and ensure final outcomes meet quality and compliance requirements.
• Provide guidance to other positions within Quality Assurance in support of development and problem solving.
• Ensure compliance with CED’s Quality Management System (QMS) and other internal procedures and requirements.
• With supervisory support, initiate follow‑up of non‑conformance reports through closure; participate in corrective action processes as required.
• Professionally lead or participate in customer‑related communications, activities, and investigations as assigned.
• Coordinate, witness, and facilitate customer‑required test witnessing and examination of product functions, including arranging for and supporting customer source inspections in accordance with contractual requirements.
• Lead or perform internal audits, prepare audit reports, and follow findings through closure; provide guidance to internal auditors who typically work outside Quality Assurance to improve their capabilities.
• Support audits and process review/changes related to DCMA, Engineering Change Orders (ECOs), Project/Program Books, and related activities.

• Comply with government and corporate laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Ensure 100% compliance with the Chemring Operational Framework, BACM, Code of Conduct, and U.S. Code of Ethics and Business Conduct.
• Perform special projects and other duties/responsibilities as assigned.

N/A

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Minimum of 4 years of experience in a first‑line quality function (e.g., auditing, quality systems coordination, or inspection) in a regulated environment to include AS9100, ISO 9001.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience maintaining…