Quality Systems Engineer

Performance Drone Works (PDW) is building the next generation of tactical robotic systems used across defense, national security, and public safety missions. We are building a new center of engineering excellence to design our new category of tactical robotic systems and the industrial capacity to deliver them, bringing decisive airpower into the hands of every operator. We are not here to make promises; we are here to deliver real systems with real capabilities for real missions.  
 
You will join a team of operators, engineers, and builders who solve hard problems with humility and focus. We design and produce multi-mission aerial systems that operators trust to perform in real-world conditions, reliably, repeatedly, and at scale. Our approach is grounded in operator-centered design, rapid iteration from field use, and U.S.-based manufacturing. We operate by a clear set of values: Mission First, Aim Farther, Own It, Win Together. This is how we build advantage and how we help protect our service members, our communities, and our country. 

PDW is seeking a Quality Systems Engineer to serve as the ETQ Reliance champion and functional owner while sustaining and maturing PDW’s AS9100-certified Quality Management System. This role will drive adoption, governance, and continuous improvement of the eQMS across current and future locations.

The ideal candidate will combine strong AS9100 knowledge with hands-on quality systems experience and translate requirements into scalable digital workflows. This individual will partner across Quality, Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, and Manufacturing Systems to improve compliance, audit readiness, and execution.

What You'll Do

• Serve as PDW’s ETQ Reliance functional owner and champion, driving system governance, user adoption, workflow optimization, permissions, data integrity, reporting, and continuous improvement.
• Own and support core ETQ modules, including Document Control, Training Management, Corrective Actions, Assets/Calibration & Maintenance, Supplier Qualification, Receiving & Inspection, Non-Conformance Reporting, Planned Deviations, and Inspection Management.
• Maintain AS9100 audit readiness across PDW operations, ensuring processes, records, objective evidence, and system controls remain compliant and prepared for internal, registrar surveillance, and customer audits.
• Translate AS9100 and PDW QMS requirements into effective ETQ workflows and controls, ensuring electronic processes support compliance, traceability, accountability, and scalable execution.
• Monitor and improve QMS performance through internal audits, corrective-action effectiveness, nonconformance trends, training compliance, calibration status, supplier performance, inspection results, and other ETQ-based quality metrics.
• Partner cross-functionally with Quality, Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, and Manufacturing to strengthen process discipline, resolve system or compliance gaps, and embed quality requirements into day-to-day execution.
• Support corrective action, risk reduction, and continuous improvement activities, ensuring issues are properly contained, investigated, resolved, verified for effectiveness, and prevented from recurring.
• Standardize and scale ETQ-enabled QMS processes across PDW, supporting organizational growth while maintaining strong AS9100 compliance, audit readiness, and consistent quality-system execution.

Requirements

• Strong working knowledge of AS9100 Rev D with demonstrated experience maintaining audit readiness, supporting internal, registrar, and customer audits, and managing objective evidence, nonconformance, corrective action, risk, configuration management, and product safety requirements.
• Hands-on experience owning or administering an enterprise eQMS, preferably ETQ Reliance, including workflow configuration, permissions, user support, system governance, data integrity, reporting, and continuous improvement.
• Experience managing core ETQ/QMS processes, including Document Control, Training Management, Corrective Actions, Assets/Calibration & Maintenance, Supplier Qualification, Receiving & Inspection, Non-Conformance Reporting, Planned Deviations, and Inspection Management.
• Ability to translate AS9100 and PDW process requirements into effective ETQ workflows and controls, ensuring electronic records provide complete, traceable, and audit-ready evidence of QMS compliance.
• Demonstrated ability to monitor QMS performance through audits, metrics, aging, trending, corrective-action effectiveness, and system data, identifying compliance risks and driving sustainable process improvements.
• Strong cross-functional communication and training skills, with the ability to work hands-on with Quality, Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, and Manufacturing teams while effectively communicating with leadership, customers, and auditors.
• Ability to standardize and scale QMS processes across a rapidly growing organization while maintaining appropriate process discipline, accountability, and AS9100 compliance.
• ETQ Reliance experience, ISO/AS9100 auditor certification, aerospace quality systems experience, and/or Six Sigma certification are preferred.
• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret security clearance or higher, as required.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Ability to sit, stand, bend, reach, climb, and move about regularly throughout the day and lift / carry up to 50 pounds. Must have manual dexterity to operate standard office equipment as well as manufacturing and test equipment, industrial computers, HMIs, and handheld diagnostic tools. Must be physically capable of walking production floors, accessing equipment in constrained spaces, participating in factory acceptance testing, and supporting on-site system deployments.

Work Environment

This position operates primarily in a professional, climate-controlled office, warehouse, manufacturing, and shipping environment. At times, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), such as safety gloves, goggles, and hearing protection, may be required. The employee will also work outdoors when loading and receiving shipments and may be exposed to varying weather conditions, including heat, rain, and cold. Standard working hours are Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM, with occasional overtime based on operational needs. The role operates in a fast-paced environment involving the movement, packing, and staging of shipments and requires approximately 10–25% domestic and international travel, as needed.

Benefits 

PDW values our team, and we offer a compensation package reflective of your experience and capabilities. Benefits include: 

• Comprehensive BCBS medical, dental, and vision coverage; 80% sponsored by the company. 
• Safe Harbor 401(K) with company match. 
• Paid Parental Leave. 
• On-site gym at Huntsville, AL & Denver, CO locations.
• Employer provided life insurance. 
• Robust Employee Assistance Program (EAP). 
• A work environment that encourages teamwork and innovation. 
• Competitive salary, generous paid time off (PTO), and flexible leave options. 

EEO Statement 

PDW is an equal opportunity employer that upholds all federal and state non-discrimination laws. We ensure a fair and unbiased evaluation for employment for all qualified candidates regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, medical condition, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.