Quality Engineer Engine and Component Test Operations

Job Description SummaryThe Quality Engineer for Engine and Component Test Operations is responsible for ensuring that all test activities on engines, modules, and components are performed in compliance with applicable procedures, regulatory requirements, customer specifications, and quality standards. This role partners closely with Test Operations, Engineering, EHS, and Supply Chain to drive zero-defect test execution, robust data integrity, and continuous improvement in Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost.

Job Description

Roles and Responsibilities

1. Quality Oversight of Test Operations

• Test process compliance

• • Ensure test cell and component test operations comply with approved test procedures, work instructions, control plans, and configuration requirements.

• • Perform routine line walks, predictive quality assessments, layered process audits, and test record reviews.

• Configuration and documentation control

• • Verify that hardware configuration, instrumentation, and test software align with the approved test request, routing, and engineering requirements.

• • Review and approve test documentation (test requests, test reports, deviations, concessions, nonconformance documents).

• Data integrity and traceability

• • Confirm that test data acquisition, storage, and reporting conform to applicable standards.

• • Ensure complete traceability for parts, test setups, and configuration baselines.

2. Nonconformance Management and Problem Solving

• Nonconformance identification and disposition support

• • Support shop and test teams in identifying, documenting, and containing nonconformances.

• • Participate in MRB/QRB or equivalent boards with Engineering to determine dispositions.

• Root cause analysis and corrective actions

• • Lead or support structured problem solving (e.g., 5-Why, Ishikawa, 8D) for test escapes, test anomalies, hardware damage, and repeated quality issues.

• • Develop, implement, and verify effectiveness of corrective and preventive actions.

• Risk and defect prevention

• • Use PFMEA/control plans or similar tools to identify and mitigate high-risk steps in test operations.

• • Monitor escape/defect trends and drive actions to reduce repeat issues.

3. Continuous Improvement and Lean

• Process capability and stability

• • Evaluate test and inspection processes for repeatability and reproducibility.

• • Partner with operations to improve process capability and reduce variability in test results.

• Standardization and simplification

• • Help develop and maintain standard work for critical test and inspection activities.

• • Contribute to simplification of test documentation and quality checks without compromising compliance.

• Metrics and performance management

• • Define, track, and analyze key quality metrics for test (e.g., first-time yield, escapes, re-test rate, nonconformance trends, defect per test hour).

• • Present insights and action plans in daily/weekly reviews.

4. Compliance, Audit, and Customer/Regulatory Interface

• Regulatory and customer standards

• • Ensure test operations align with applicable regulatory, customer, and industry standards (for example: aviation authority requirements, customer test specifications, internal quality procedures).

• • Support interpretation and implementation of new or revised requirements.

• Internal and external audits

• • Support preparation and execution of internal audits and external audits (customer, regulatory, certification).

• • Lead closure of audit findings, including root cause and corrective actions.

• Customer and program support

• • Support customer or program-specific test quality requirements, including readiness reviews, test witnessing, and reporting.

• • Provide technical quality input for proposals, test plans, and program reviews as needed.

5. Training, Coaching, and Culture

• Quality training and awareness

• • Develop and deliver training on quality procedures, nonconformance handling, and test quality expectations for operators, technicians, and engineers.

• • Promote a culture of stop-the-line, speak-up, and right-first-time test execution.

• Cross-functional collaboration

• • Act as the primary quality liaison between Test Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, and other functions.

Facilitate effective communication of quality issues, risks, and improvement opportunities.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical, Industrial, or related field) or 5 years of equivalent technical experience.

• Experience:

• • Hands-on experience in manufacturing, test operations, or quality engineering (number of years based on level: e.g., 2–5+ years for mid-level).

• • Experience working with technical drawings, specifications, and test procedures.

• Technical skills:

• • Strong understanding of quality systems, nonconformance management, and basic statistical tools.

• • Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, test requirements, and instrumentation layouts.

• Soft skills:

• • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

• • Effective communication and collaboration in a fast-paced operations environment.

• • Ability to influence without direct authority and drive follow-through on actions.

Desired Characteristics

• Strong oral and written communication skills. Strong interpersonal and leadership skills. Demonstrated ability to analyze and resolve problems. Demonstrated ability to lead programs / projects. Ability to document, plan, market, and execute programs. Established project management skills.

• Experience in aerospace engines or complex rotating machinery.

• Familiarity with engine test cells, component rigs, data acquisition systems, and instrumentation.

• Working knowledge of structured problem-solving tools and methodologies.

• Experience with audits (internal, customer, or regulatory).

• Proficiency with relevant digital tools (e.g., quality management systems, MES, PLM, statistical tools, and office productivity tools).

Additionally Requirements include

• Willingness to travel off-base up to 25% for trainings, planning, and test support demand

• Active or ability to obtain DoD Security Clearance at the Secret level or higher.

• Active or ability to obtain “Advanced Programs” access.

• Due to security requirements, this position must be able to work a full-time in the office schedule as required by the test campaign.

• This role requires the successful candidate to maintain a US Government Security Clearance; prerequisite for a security clearance is U.S. Citizenship. Preference will be given to candidates who currently hold US Government Security Clearance.
  

• Note:

  To comply with US immigration and other legal requirements, it is necessary to specify the minimum number of years’ experience required for any role based within the USA. For roles outside of the USA, to ensure compliance with applicable legislation, the JDs should focus on the substantive level of experience required for the role and a minimum number of years should NOT be used.

This role requires access to U.S. export-controlled information. Therefore, employment will be contingent upon the ability to prove that you meet the status of a U.S. Person as one of the following: U.S. lawful permanent resident, U.S. Citizen, have been granted asylee or refugee status (i.e., a protected individual under the Immigration and Naturalization Act, 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)).

Additional Information