Quality Assurance - Senior, QA Engineer

Position Summary

The Senior Quality Assurance Engineer provides technical and strategic quality leadership for the manufacture of turbine engine blades and airfoils at a dual-site FAA PMA-approved facility. Operating within a certified AS9100 framework, this role carries direct accountability for product airworthiness conformity, QMS ownership, and regulatory compliance across both sites. The Senior QAE leads cross-functional problem solving, owns complex quality decisions including MRB disposition and risk acceptance, and serves as the primary technical interface with customers, suppliers, the FAA, and certification bodies.

Key Responsibilities

Serve as technical authority for engineering drawing interpretation, GD&T application, and acceptance criteria for turbine blade and airfoil components.
Maintain and apply FAA PMA production conformity requirements, support DER/DAR interactions, and ensure traceability and airworthiness documentation meet FAA standards.
Lead MRB activities, including disposition of nonconforming products, risk-based decision making, and airworthiness impact assessment for critical rotating parts.
Lead RCCA and 8D problem solving, ensuring systemic corrective actions and verified effectiveness.
Own assigned elements of the AS9100 Quality Management System, including procedure development and compliance.
Coordinate quality activities across two manufacturing sites, ensuring consistent QMS implementation, shared metrics visibility, and aligned corrective action processes.
Plan and conduct risk-based internal audits; serve as primary technical point of contact during customer and FAA regulatory audits.
Provide senior-level technical support to customers and suppliers, including concession negotiation and escape resolution.
Provide quality disposition authority to support on-time shipment of conforming, airworthy products.
Drive site quality performance metrics including scrap, rework, FPY, and corrective action closure rates.
Mentor Quality Engineers and Inspectors; standardize quality tools and best practices across both sites.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Manufacturing Engineering (or equivalent experience).
7+ years of Quality Engineering experience within aerospace or other regulated manufacturing environments.
Demonstrated experience with MRB disposition authority, corrective action leadership, and audit support.
Strong working knowledge of AS9100/9110 standards and FAA Part 21 PMA production approval requirements.
AS9102 First Article Inspection leadership experience.
Proficiency with statistical analysis tools (Excel, Minitab) and quality data systems (e.g., QDAS, SAP, or equivalent ERP/MES platforms).
Familiarity with FAA Critical Parts requirements and life-limited part traceability obligations.

Preferred Qualifications / Certifications

Six Sigma Green or Black Belt certification.

Experience with turbine airfoil manufacturing processes such as investment casting, EDM, thermal barrier coatings, FPI/MPI, or CMC components.
APQP / PFMEA / Control Plan development experience.
NDT familiarity, particularly Fluorescent Penetrant Inspection (FPI).
Familiarity with CAAC, EASA, or Military quality regulatory environments.
Experience operating within a multi-site or distributed manufacturing QMS structure.