Lead Quality Engineer

We are seeking a Lead Quality Engineer (QE) to support high-reliability hardware and processes within the aerospace and defense industry. This role provides quality leadership across development, manufacturing, qualification, and acceptance activities for safety-critical components operating in highly regulated environments.

The Lead QE partners closely with engineering, manufacturing, safety, supply chain, and program teams to ensure product compliance, process robustness, and continuous improvement across the full product lifecycle.

• Provide quality engineering leadership for safety-critical components and assemblies used in aerospace and defense applications
• Lead quality planning activities, including inspection plans, control plans, verification strategies, and risk mitigation efforts
• Ensure compliance with AS9100
  , customer requirements, internal standards, and applicable regulatory frameworks
• Serve as the quality authority for complex manufacturing processes and acceptance testing
• Lead nonconformance investigations, root cause analysis, and corrective/preventive actions
• Support qualification, acceptance, and readiness activities, including reviews and configuration control
• Partner with engineering and manufacturing to improve process capability, yield, and product reliability
• Support supplier quality activities, including audits, source inspections, and corrective action management
• Prepare and review quality documentation, certifications, and program quality deliverables
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to quality engineers and inspectors

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related technical discipline
• 7+ years of quality engineering experience in aerospace, defense, or other highly regulated manufacturing environments
• Strong working knowledge of AS9100 and related quality management systems
• Experience supporting high-risk, safety-critical hardware and tightly controlled manufacturing processes
• Proven experience leading nonconformance resolution and corrective action activities
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and process documentation
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

• Experience supporting special processes or controlled manufacturing environments
• Familiarity with hazard analysis, risk management, and compliance-driven programs
• Experience working with government or prime contractor customers