Quality Assurance Engineer

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Full Time Salary Full-Time Manitowoc, WI, US

The Quality Assurance Engineer is responsible for developing, deploying, and sustaining robust quality systems that ensure compliance with customer, regulatory, and internal standards across shipbuilding operations. This role focuses on preventing defects, eliminating repeat issues, and driving systemic improvements across multiple value streams including fabrication, assembly, outfitting, and testing. The position supports both commercial and government contracts and requires a strong understanding of regulatory frameworks (e.g., NAVSEA, ABS, ISO) along with hands‑on problem‑solving and continuous improvement leadership.

• Ensure process standardization and control across all shipbuilding value streams.
• Develop and implement quality plans, inspection/test plans (ITPs), and control plans.
• Drive integration of quality systems into production workflows to ensure "quality at the source."
• Maintain and improve the Quality Management System (QMS) in alignment with ISO 9001 and applicable maritime/government standards (e.g., NAVSEA, ABS, USCG).

• Develop and manage systems to prevent recurrence of issues across programs and value streams.
• Implement lessons learned programs and ensure knowledge is shared across departments.
• Utilize data analytics to identify trends, recurring defects, and process weaknesses.
• Standardize best practices and error‑proofing (poka‑yoke) solutions across operations.
• Partner with cross‑functional teams to ensure horizontal deployment of corrective actions.

• Ensure compliance with customer requirements, government specifications, and classification society rules.
• Serve as a point of contact for internal audits, external audits, and customer/government inspections.
• Interpret and cascade contractual and regulatory quality requirements into actionable processes.
• Support documentation and traceability required for government contracts and audits.

• Lead investigations into nonconformances, escapes, and customer complaints.
• Apply structured problem‑solving methodologies (e.g., 8D, DMAIC, A3) to identify root causes.
• Ensure corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) are effective, validated, and sustained.
• Monitor trends and lead efforts to eliminate systemic issues, not just individual defects.

• Collaborate with Engineering, Production, Supply Chain, and Program Management to ensure quality requirements are integrated early.
• Support design reviews to ensure manufacturability and quality risks are mitigated upfront.
• Work directly on the shop floor to validate processes and support first article inspections (FAI).
• Engage suppliers to resolve quality issues and improve incoming material quality.

• Lead and support Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Drive reduction of rework, scrap, and cost of poor quality (COPQ).
• Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs) related to quality performance.
• Promote a culture of accountability, proactive quality, and operational excellence.

• Reduction in repeat nonconformances across value streams
• Improved audit performance and compliance scores
• Decreased cost of poor quality (rework, scrap, warranty issues)
• Increased effectiveness and closure rate of corrective actions
• Standardization and adoption of best practices across programs

• Combination of office, shipyard production floor, and onboard vessel environments.
• May require working in industrial conditions, including noise, confined spaces, and varying weather conditions.
• Occasional travel for supplier audits, ship trials, or customer support.

• Thinking with focus on root cause vs symptom correction
• Strong analytical and data‑driven decision‑making skills
• Ability to influence cross‑functional teams without authority
• Detail‑oriented with a…