Aerospace Quality Systems Engineer at Hytek Finishes Kent, WA

Job Overview

Title:

Quality Systems Engineer

Reports to:

Quality Manager

Location:

Kent, WA
Type:
Exempt, Full-Time

Schedule:

Monday – Friday day shift; ability to work for portions of an off shift as needed.

The Quality Systems Engineer is responsible for maintaining and improving the Quality Management System (QMS) for Hytek Finishes compliant with AS9100 and NADCAP requirements. This role focuses on control planning, reviewing and interpreting new customer and industry specifications, and leading internal audits to ensure compliance with regulatory, customer, and accreditation requirements. The Quality Systems Engineer collaborates closely with operations, special process owners, and sales and customer service teams to ensure consistent process control and exceptional product quality.

• Has an entrepreneurial mindset, thinking and acting like an owner with a strong sense of urgency and bias for action.
• Is comfortable with ambiguity and constant change, nimble and responsive in the short-term while driving progress on longer-term initiatives and process improvements.
• Has emotional intelligence and is able to build strong trust with leaders and employees of diverse backgrounds and situations at all levels.
• Is an exceptional communicator in both written and verbal interactions; clear, concise, and courageous in giving tough but supportive feedback when needed.

• Maintain and improve the QMS in accordance with AS9100 requirements.
• Support NADCAP accreditation and periodic audits for applicable disciplines.
• Ensure documentation accuracy across procedures, work instructions, traveler/route sheets, and quality records.
• Support corrective and preventive actions (CAPA), including root cause analysis, containment, and effectiveness verification.
• Coordinate customer quality requirements and flow down into internal processes.

• Develop and maintain work instructions, process flows, and inspection checkpoints for operations.
• Ensure process sequence and process parameters are configured in ERP.
• Develop and maintain control plans per customer specifications, process capabilities, and risk assessments.
• Maintain required controlled plan approvals between Hytek and our customers.

• Maintain up-to-date internal standards, ensuring alignment with the latest technical, customer, and regulatory requirements.
• Review and interpret new or revised customer, OEM, industry, and regulatory specifications.
• Identify changes needed in processing parameters, testing, documentation, or controls and communicate updates across affected departments.
• Maintain the document library with up-to-date and approved documentation.

• Plan, conduct, and document internal audits covering AS9100 clauses, NADCAP special processes, calibration, training, and recordkeeping.
• Track findings, support root cause analysis and implementation of effective corrective actions.
• Help maintain readiness for customer audits, third-party AS9100 audits, and NADCAP audits.

• Analyze quality data (nonconformances, rework, escapes, audit trends) to identify improvement opportunities.
• Support productivity and continuous improvement initiatives focused on process stability, scrap reduction, and improved compliance.
• Promote standardization and best practices across all processes.

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Materials, Chemistry, or related technical field.
• 3+ years of experience in aerospace or a highly regulated manufacturing/service environment.
• Experience in AS9100 QMS requirements and an understanding of NADCAP special process standards.
• Ability to interpret aerospace specifications, material process requirements, and engineering drawings.
• Strong knowledge of root cause analysis tools (5 Whys, fishbone, 8D).
• Ability to perform internal audits.
• Knowledge of SPC and process capability analysis.
• Strong computer skills using MS Office products.
• QMS and ERP system experience desired, Syteline experience preferred.
• Experience in surface finishing…