CAPA (Corrective and Preventive Action) Engineer
Job Summary
ESAero is seeking a Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) Engineer to support and strengthen our Mission Assurance team through effective oversight and implementation of corrective and preventive action processes. In this key role, you will support and lead root cause investigations, oversee timely and compliant CAPA execution, and collaborate across departments to ensure issues are resolved at their source.
Responsibilities and Duties:
- Lead the lifecycle of both corrective and preventive actions, ensuring timely initiation, investigation, implementation, verification, and closure.
- Conduct structured root cause analyses using methods such as 5‑Why, Fishbone, 8D, Fault Tree, or other analysis methodologies to drive effective investigations.
- Perform and lead perform failure investigations, using findings, data, and test results to drive effective corrective actions.
- Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to develop and implement robust corrective and preventive action plans to eliminate the recurrence of issues and strengthen processes.
- Monitor CAPA progress, maintain accurate records, and ensure all documentation meets internal and regulatory requirements.
- Analyze trends in corrective actions, nonconformances, audit findings, and customer feedback to proactively identify systemic issues.
- Prepare clear, data‑driven reports that communicate investigation results, risk assessments, and CAPA effectiveness to leadership.
- Support internal and external audits by providing objective evidence of CAPA effectiveness, status updates, and historical data as needed.
- Maintain and improve CAPA processes, templates, and tools to enhance efficiency and consistency across the organization.
- Ensure CAPA activities align with ISO 9001, AS9100, and customer‑specific quality requirements.
- Promote a culture of accountability and continuous improvement by coaching teams on effective problem‑solving and CAPA best practices
Required Qualifications and Skills
- Bachelor's degree in engineering.
- Minimum 3 years of experience in an engineering or quality role.
- Experience conducting CAPA activities.
- Hands-on experience working within ISO 9001, AS9100, or similar QMS frameworks.
- Six Sigma certification.
- Experience operating in manufacturing environments.
- Excellent written communication and documentation skills.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Effective interpersonal and communication skills, with proven success collaborating across teams.
- Proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
Desired Qualifications and Skills:
- 5+ years of experience in an engineering or quality-related field.
- Extensive experience with ISO 9001, AS9100, or equivalent QMS standards.
- Background in aerospace or a comparable technical industry.
- Hands-on expertise with various manufacturing processes.
Company Overview:
Empirical Systems Aerospace, Inc (ESAero) is a leader in aerospace engineering, product development, and manufacturing, dedicated to delivering high-quality, innovative, and cost-effective solutions to the industry. We specialize in cutting-edge system design, rapid product development, precision manufacturing, comprehensive testing, and technology demonstrations to support the evolving needs of the aerospace community. Committed to excellence, on-time delivery, and continuous growth, we invest in infrastructure to expand our manufacturing and aftermarket capabilities while maintaining the highest standards of engineering services.
At ESAero, we don’t just build products, we engineer solutions that propel
the aerospace industry forward.
**This position is fully on-site at ESAero in San Luis Obispo, CA**
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E-Verify participation required for employment.
Must present proof of authorization to work in the United States.
Must be able to pass background check and drug test.
Pay Range: $90-120k Salary Exempt
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What We Do
Empirical Systems Aerospace, Inc. (ESAero), an aerospace engineering design and manufacturing company, specializes in cost-effective development of innovative and advanced concepts, with emphasis on simple honesty and a track record of commitment. Since 2003, ESAero has served the needs of the engineering industry through its work on military and commercial conceptual air vehicle designs, electric and hybrid propulsion system development, aircraft modifications, sub-scale technology demonstrators, rapid system prototyping, design for manufacturing, low-rate initial production, manufacturing, and niche engineering support. An “Advanced Design Group to Advanced Design Groups”, ESAero is the Prime Contractor and Integrator of the NASA X-57 “Maxwell” all-electric airplane. ESAero customers include multiple NASA Centers, AFRL, AMRDEC, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, General Atomics, Electricore, and AeroVironment. With a 32,000 sq.ft. design & manufacturing facility located in San Luis Obispo, CA and an 8,000 sq.ft. integration and test location at the Oceano (CA) County Airport (L52), ESAero has expanded operations and airport space for system testing and product development. ESAero will continue to provide the aviation and aerospace industries with cutting-edge systems solutions and optimized manufacturing practices. With an emphasis on quality, cost, and/or time, ESAero performs design, analytical, prototyping, and testing services for systems ranging from conceptual aerospace designs to aircraft seeking supplemental type certificates. • Proven solutions that focus on the quality of results • Rapid system development • Hands-on development/testing to achieve customer goals • “Out-of-the-Box” thinking and engineering • Customized project plans structured for efficiency to meet larger program goals of cost or time • On-demand niche engineering team to supplement ongoing projects For more information, please visit our website at www.esaero.com or call (805) 275-1053.
