Quality Engineer in Oxnard

Company Overview

BIRNS, Inc., established in 1954, is an AS9100 certified global leader in the design and manufacturing of high-performance underwater connectors, subsea cable assemblies, subsea lighting, dive lights, and nuclear facility lighting. With a commitment to quality and innovation, we serve critical applications in deep ocean, marine, military, and nuclear power sectors.

BIRNS is seeking a Quality Engineer to join our team at BIRNS, Inc. This role is pivotal in ensuring the highest standards of quality for our products. Located in the United States, you will contribute to our mission of delivering exceptional performance and reliability in our lighting and connector systems. You will be responsible for maintaining product quality, driving corrective actions, and improving our manufacturing processes on the production floor alongside assembly technicians and reporting to the Quality Manager.

• Lead root cause analysis and corrective action investigations for internal nonconformances, customer complaints, and field failures.
• Plan and execute process validation activities (IQ/OQ/PQ) for new or modified manufacturing processes including soldering, overmolding, and connector termination.
• Support product validation including First Article Inspection, design verification testing, and qualification testing to confirm products meet customer and specification requirements.
• Develop, review, and maintain work instructions and inspection procedures for cable assembly operations.
• Monitor and improve manufacturing processes with a focus on J-STD soldering workmanship and quality.
• Conduct in-process and final inspections to ensure product meets drawing and specification requirements.
• Support internal audits and maintain compliance with AS9100 or ISO 9001 quality management system requirements.
• Identify and implement process improvements to reduce defects, scrap, and rework.
• Interface with customers and suppliers on quality matters including First Article Inspections, deviation requests, and supplier corrective actions.
• Maintain quality records and generate reports on key quality metrics.

• Demonstrate initiative to work efficiently and to streamline processes.
• Generate initiative and creative solutions as a self‑starter.
• Communicate effectively in both written and verbal contexts.
• Work well individually and as part of a team in a fast‑paced, deadline‑driven environment.
• Provide training to production teams on quality standards, procedures and best practices.
• Assist in the development of quality‑related documentation and work instructions.

• 3–7 years of quality engineering experience in a cable assembly, wire harness, or electromechanical manufacturing environment.
• Hands‑on working knowledge of J‑STD‑001 soldering standards and IPC workmanship criteria.
• Demonstrated ability to lead structured root cause analysis (5 Why, 8D, Fishbone) and write corrective actions that stick.
• Experience planning and executing process validation for manufacturing processes.
• Experience supporting product validation activities – First Article Inspection, qualification testing, or design verification testing against a defined specification.
• Experience writing clear, usable work instructions and inspection procedures.
• Working knowledge of AS9100 or ISO
  9001 quality management systems.
• IPC‑J‑STD‑001 Certified Specialist or Certified Instructor highly desired.
• Background in aerospace, defense, or military cable and wire harness manufacturing.
• Experience with connector potting, encapsulation, or overmolding (polyurethane, epoxy, or similar).
• Familiarity with continuity testing, insulation resistance testing, or electrical verification of cable assemblies.
• Experience with pressure testing or environmental testing of sealed assemblies.

• Knowledge of subsea, oil and gas, or underwater connector assemblies.
• Experience with X‑ray or CT inspection for connector or potting verification.
• Familiarity with MIL‑STD or Navy cable specifications.

In your first 90 days you will have learned our product line, walked every step of our assembly process, and identified at…