QA Engineer

Job Category :
Engineering Support Services

Requisition Number : STAFF
009477

• Posted :
  January 8, 2026
• Full-Time
• On-site

Showing 1 location

Madison, AL 35756, USA

• Travel Required :
  Yes

Seeking a highly analytical QA Engineer who enjoys bridging quality assurance between design and production teams within the Prototype, Manufacturing and Integration (PMI) Division at Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA). on-site in Madison, AL. Must be a self-starter ensuring development and implementation of quality standards to ensure that products meet quality specifications, while working to improve processes and workflows to comply with safety regulations.

As a QA Engineer you will perform inspections, conduct audits, document deviations, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to uphold the highest levels of quality and compliance for products used by key stakeholders.

This position will require at minimum the ability to obtain & maintain a SECRET clearance from the US Department of War.

We're seeking the following in a Quality Engineer:

• Proven experience assisting in the development, implementation and sustainment of a Quality Management Systems (QMS) meeting AS9100D and/or ISO
  9001:2015 certification standards
• Demonstrated experience leading corrective actions and using root cause analysis tools
• Proven experience with QA tracking and reporting all activities, procedures and processes, developing auditing tools to improve the internal auditing process and conducting regular reviews and inspections to ensure employee adherence to quality standards
• Build a culture of QA accountability and collaboration with clear expectations, regular feedback, and shared ownership of outcomes
• Skilled in utilization of industry-standard inspection equipment
• Ability in Identifying opportunities for process improvements through analysis of process measurement data
• Effectively communicate a “stop-work authority” when quality requirements are not being met
• Advanced experience in reading blueprints
• Knowledge of translating GD&T drawings in actionable inspection plans
• Experience in performing incoming, in-process and final inspections
• Conduct quality training sessions
• Build a culture of QA accountability and collaboration with clear expectations, regular feedback, and shared ownership of outcomes
• Must be proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Project
• Proven ability to communicate effectively both in writing and verbally with staff at all levels of the organization
• Ability to develop relationships and to work with various functional teams and stakeholders
• Work requires sitting, sitting for long periods of time, pushing, pulling, standing, standing for long periods of time, reaching, grasping, bending, climbing, stooping, hold and move items with hand(s), multilimbed coordination, finger dexterity, arm-hand steadiness, vision for close and distance and must be able to lift up to 50lbs individually, 50lbs or more with assistance
• Be physically capable of wearing all required personal protective equipment to include, but not limited to safety glasses, respirator, safety shoes, hearing protection and hand protection as required
• Bachelor’s Degree and 2-4 years relevant work experience;
  OR In lieu of a degree, a H.S. diploma and 8-10 years’ experience as QA Engineer in a DoW/DoD manufacturing field

Nice if you have the following:

• Active / current SECRET Clearance from the US Department of War
• Solidworks or Solidworks Markup Experience
• Facilitated an ISO
  9001/AS9100 manufacturing certification
• Lead Auditor experience and/or training
• ASQ – CQI, CQA or CQE certifications

Who is ARA?

Applied Research Associates, Inc. is an employee-owned international research and engineering company recognized for providing technically superior solutions to complex and challenging problems in the physical sciences. The company, founded in Albuquerque, NM, in 1979, currently employs over 2,200 employee-owners and continues to grow. ARA offices throughout the United States and Canada provide a broad range of technical expertise in defense technologies, civil technologies, computer software and simulation, systems analysis, environmental technologies, and testing and measurement.

The corporation also provides sophisticated technical products for environmental site characterization, pavement analysis, and robotics.

* Learn more about who we are and what we do by going to:

ARA offers competitive benefits that address our employees’ needs now and in the future. Learn more about each of our benefits at

Interested? Please apply at  for the Quality Engineer position. #LI-AB1

Yes . Less than 10%

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.