Senior Quality Engineer

Position Summary

         The Senior Quality Engineer is responsible for leading quality assurance and quality engineering activities across production, supplier, and sustaining engineering environments. This role serves as the technical quality lead for complex aerospace systems, driving process capability, root cause corrective action, PPAP/APQP execution, risk reduction, and compliance with AS9100 requirements. The position partners closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Operations to improve product quality, reduce variation, increase first-pass yield, and ensure conformity to customer, regulatory, and internal requirements.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Essential functions of a job that are crucial to its purpose and must be performed regularly. They are the fundamental tasks that an employee must be able to carry out, with or without reasonable accommodation, and are central to defining the role's purpose.

• Lead quality engineering activities supporting production, sustaining engineering, supplier quality, and new product introduction programs.
• Develop and maintain PFMEAs, Process Flow Diagrams, Control Plans, Inspection Plans, and Quality Plans.
• Lead PPAP/APQP implementation and approval activities for new products, engineering changes, process changes, and supplier transfers.
• Drive First Pass Yield (FPY), Cost of Poor Quality (CoPQ), and defect reduction initiatives using statistical and lean methodologies.
• Lead Material Review Board (MRB) activities and provide technical guidance for disposition of nonconforming material.
• Facilitate RCCA activities utilizing 8D, 5 Why, Fishbone, Fault Tree Analysis, DOE, and statistical problem-solving methods.
• Perform process audits and product audits to ensure compliance with AS9100, customer requirements, and internal procedures.
• Support qualification and validation activities including process validation, equipment qualification, and product verification testing.
• Analyze production, field return, and customer complaint data to identify systemic quality issues and drive corrective actions.
• Mentor junior quality engineers and quality inspectors on aerospace quality tools, methodologies, and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with Design Engineering on GD&T interpretation, tolerance analysis, manufacturability reviews, and risk assessments.
• Support internal, customer, and regulatory audits

Required Qualifications - The following qualifications are required for any position:

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, or related discipline.
• 7+ years of Quality Engineering experience in aerospace, defense, aviation, avionics, or other highly regulated manufacturing environments.
• Demonstrated expertise in AS9100 Quality Management Systems.
• Strong working knowledge of APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plans, SPC, MSA, Gage R&R, and Process Capability studies.
• Extensive experience leading RCCA activities and driving closure of corrective actions.
• Proficiency interpreting engineering drawings, GD&T, specifications, wiring diagrams, schematics, and assembly documentation.
• Experience supporting manufacturing operations and production quality systems.
• Experience with MRB processes and nonconformance management.
• Strong understanding of risk-based quality methodologies and aerospace quality requirements.
• Experience using ERP, PLM, and quality management systems.

Additional Desired Qualifications - The requirements below are desired knowledge, skills and/or abilities we desire but not required.

• Experience with electrical, avionics, PCB assemblies, wire harnesses, and electromechanical systems.
• Experience qualifying aerospace suppliers through PPAP, FAI (AS9102), process validation, and supplier audits.
• Experience with UAV, aircraft, aerospace propulsion, avionics, or mission systems.
• Experience with reliability engineering, environmental testing, and qualification testing.
• CQE (ASQ Certified Quality Engineer).
• Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt.
• Lead Auditor certification for AS9100.      

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions - The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods in office and manufacturing environments.
• Capability to lift up to 25 lbs. occasionally (inspection tools, parts, or test equipment).
• Visual acuity to read drawings, inspect hardware, and identify defects.
• Manual dexterity to handle small components and operate inspection instruments.

Background Check

This position will require successfully completing a post-offer background check. Qualified candidates with a criminal history will be considered and are not automatically disqualified, consistent with federal and state law.

EEO and ITAR/EAR Work Authorization Disclosure

Red Cat Holdings provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This position requires direct or indirect access to hardware, software, technology or technical data controlled under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Successful candidates for positions subject to ITAR/EAR restrictions must provide proof of U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residence and must not require sponsorship for export-restricted work authorization.

E-Verify

The company participates E-Verify ensure eligibility for employment and compliance with Right to Work rules.

Compensation:     Salary Range: 132K – 183K plus possible bonus , equity and company benefits