Staff Quality Engineer

About the role

Root cause investigations and nonconformance resolution remove barriers that otherwise slow production and reduce defects.

Software engineers turn product ideas into working code. Engineers work in small teams, review each other's work, and ship in small batches. Most teams follow agile practices such as sprints and daily standups. Engineers also write tests, fix bugs, and improve performance. The field values clear communication as much as technical skill. Engineers spend part of every week on planning, code review, and debugging, not just writing new code. The ability to explain a technical decision in plain words separates strong engineers from the rest.

Key facts

What you'll do

Daily production quality issues receive your support so that quality-related barriers to manufacturing are removed.

You lead or support Material Review Board activities and coordinate with Design Engineering for repair, rework, or use-as-accepted decisions.

Nonconformance reports close in a timely manner while product integrity and regulatory compliance are maintained.

Recurring nonconformances trigger corrective actions that eliminate repeat issues.

Corrective and preventive actions are developed, implemented, and verified while quality metrics and trend analysis monitor effectiveness.

Cross functional problem solving teams resolve complex manufacturing issues.

Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma initiatives receive your support.

Engineering changes are reviewed and manufacturing quality impacts are assessed as part of production readiness.

Design reviews participate to improve manufacturability and inspectability.

New products introduced into production receive your support.

Quality Management System standards are ensured, including AS9100, customer requirements, and internal procedures.

Quality documentation such as inspection plans, quality procedures, and work instructions are developed and maintained.

Internal, customer, and regulatory audits receive your support.

Quality metrics and dashboards monitor manufacturing performance.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline.

Minimum 3 years of experience in manufacturing quality engineering, aerospace manufacturing, or related industry.

Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing.

Strong experience with statistical analysis, data interpretation, and quality metrics.

Strong communication and cross functional collaboration skills.

Ability to prioritize multiple issues in a fast paced manufacturing environment.

Practical notes

Temporary employee benefits apply after 60 days of employment for eligible temporary roles.

Typical interview steps

Hiring for engineering roles usually starts with a recruiter screen, followed by one or two technical rounds. Candidates often solve a coding problem, discuss past projects, and answer system design questions. Some loops include a take-home task. Final rounds typically cover team fit and give candidates a chance to ask questions. Interviewers look for how you break down an unfamiliar problem, not just whether you reach the answer. Practicing a few problems aloud and reviewing your own past projects are the best preparation.

Good to know

Root cause analysis commonly uses structured methods such as 8D and 5 Why to isolate issues.

Quality metrics and dashboards translate data into decisions for manufacturing improvements.

Cross functional collaboration aligns production, engineering, and supply chain around shared quality goals.

Defense and aerospace manufacturing often require strict compliance with standards such as AS9100.

Career growth

Engineering careers usually progress from individual contributor to senior, staff, and principal levels. Some engineers move into management and lead teams of five to twenty people. Others stay on the technical track. Growth follows demonstrated impact, not tenure alone. A typical engineering ladder has clear levels with defined expectations for scope, quality, and mentorship. Moving up usually requires owning outcomes end to end rather than completing assigned tickets.