Process Assurance Engineer (Mechanical)

Job Summary 

The Process Assurance Engineer (Mechanical) is a critical role responsible for ensuring that all mechanical components, systems, and manufacturing processes meet the highest standards of quality, safety, and regulatory compliance. This role will be integral in the development of our cutting-edge eVTOL or aerospace products, focusing on preventing non-conformances by establishing robust, repeatable, and auditable processes from concept to production. The successful candidate will work closely with design, manufacturing, and quality teams to implement best practices and drive continuous improvement.

The ideal candidate is a mechanical engineer with strong structural engineering fundamentals, process compliance, and a full understanding of the whole aircraft structural design lifecycle process,the iterative feedback loop between Mission,Spectrum, Loads, Sizing, and Compliance,test and measure loads, design loads versus actual loads,Fatigue and Damage Tolerance,etc.

Key Responsibilities

• Process Development and Audits: Develop, implement, and maintain mechanical process assurance plans in accordance with aerospace industry standards (e.g., AS9100, EASA Part 21, FAA Part 21). You will conduct regular process audits to ensure compliance and identify areas for improvement.
• Non-Conformance Prevention: Proactively work with engineering and manufacturing teams to prevent defects and non-conformances. This includes participating in design reviews, conducting Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), and assisting with root cause analysis to resolve issues at their source.
• Supplier Quality Management: Collaborate with the supply chain and quality teams to assure the quality of mechanical components from external suppliers. This involves conducting supplier audits, reviewing supplier quality plans, and ensuring all incoming materials meet technical and quality specifications.
• Documentation and Reporting: Prepare and maintain detailed documentation of all process assurance activities, including audit reports, compliance matrices, and quality metrics. You'll ensure that all records are traceable and auditable for regulatory body inspections.
• Continuous Improvement: Lead and participate in continuous improvement initiatives using methodologies like Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma to optimize mechanical processes, increase efficiency, and reduce waste.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Act as a key liaison between various departments, including design, manufacturing, test, and certification, to ensure a seamless flow of information and a consistent application of quality standards across all project phases.
• Process Compliance:
  Strong discipline in following and enforcing engineering processes, documentation, and configuration control.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience: Minimum of 5 years of experience in quality assurance, process engineering, or a similar role within the aerospace, defense, or a highly-regulated manufacturing industry.
• Technical Knowledge:
• Aircraft Structural Lifecycle Knowledge:
  Understands the full chain: mission → spectrum → loads → sizing → flight load measurement → correlation → compliance.
  
• Fatigue & Damage Tolerance:
  Knowledge of damage definition, cycle counting, crack propagation, and residual strength assessment to ensure structural safety across the aircraft life.
  
• Critical Parts & Inspections:
  Understands what constitutes a critical part, how it must be marked, controlled, and inspected (including NDI methods).
  
• Special Processes Awareness:
  Familiar with processes such as composites, bonding, machining, heat treatment, welding,etc. and how they must be specified, qualified, and verified.
  
• Strong understanding of mechanical design principles, manufacturing processes (e.g., machining, composites, additive manufacturing), and assembly techniques.
• In-depth knowledge of Quality Management Systems (QMS) such as AS9100, ISO 9001.
• Experience with quality tools and methodologies (FMEA, SPC, Root Cause Analysis, 8D).
• Familiarity with aerospace regulatory standards (e.g., FAA, EASA).
• Soft Skills:
• Exceptional attention to detail: A meticulous approach to reviewing processes and documentation.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills: The ability to identify process inefficiencies and develop effective solutions.
• Excellent communication skills: The capacity to effectively communicate technical and quality requirements to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Proactive and collaborative: A team player who can work independently and as part of a cross-functional team.

Desired Qualifications 

• Certification as a Quality Engineer (e.g., ASQ Certified Quality Engineer - CQE).
• Experience with a new aircraft certification program, particularly for eVTOL or AAM vehicles.
• Experience with Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems.
• Experience with AS9145 (APQP and PPAP for Aerospace).
• Knowledge of statistical process control (SPC) and data analysis.

• Permanent Employee or Contract Employee
• Probationary period: 3~6 month

Place of Employment

• Nagoya Airport Office: Nagoya Airport Terminal Building 2nd floor, Toyoba, Toyoyama-Cho, Nishikasugai, Aichi Prefecture
• Scope of Change: Places determined by the Company (including places where telework is performed)

• Flextime or Discretionary labor system
• Basic working hours: Start 9:00　End 18:00（Including 1hour break time）

• 115 days off per year（Saturday / Sundays / Newyear holidays（12/29～1/3） / Company designated holidays）
• Annual paid leave
• Refresh leave (Granted after 1, 3, 4, 5 years of service)

• Annual salary paid in 12 monthly installments (including fixed overtime allowance)
• To be determined based on skills, experience, and abilities

• Commuting allowance, business trip allowance, moving allowance, etc.
• Relocation Packages
  *There are some conditions.

• Health insurance
• Employee pension (according to Japan standards)
• Employment insurance
• Worker’s accident compensation insurance

• Reassignment may occur to any other work.