At Areté, we are on the forefront of utilizing innovative solutions, with great minds from all backgrounds, to help solve the nation’s most complex security challenges. We strive for an inclusive, collaborative team environment that approaches differences as opportunities for innovation and excellence. As an employee-owned company, we foster an atmosphere that propels diverse career opportunities and professional growth.
Discover your future with us.
We have an immediate need for a Senior Quality Engineer in our Niwot, CO facility. We are looking for a dedicated professional who thrives in challenging environments and brings strong technical expertise in physics-based systems, optical engineering, and/or laser technologies combined with proven quality engineering experience in regulated defense or aerospace environments.
Our QA department focuses on process controls, metrics measurements, test witnessing, and inspection & verification supporting our advanced laser and electro-optical systems. As the Senior Quality Engineer, you will be responsible for program and site-level Quality Assurance functions, with particular emphasis on leading root cause analysis investigations, driving nonconformances to closure, and assisting engineering teams in implementing corrective actions into design and manufacturing processes. You will own the end-to-end nonconformance lifecycle—from detection through verified closure—ensuring systematic resolution and prevention of recurring issues.
This position is open immediately and offers a highly competitive salary and benefits package. This position is an exempt, non-supervisory, full-time position.
Responsibilities & Duties:
Root Cause Analysis & Nonconformance Closure
- Lead comprehensive root cause analysis investigations using structured methodologies (8D, 5 Why, Fishbone, FMEA, CAPA) to identify true root causes
- Own end-to-end nonconformance management from detection through verified closure for all NCs, SCARs, and CAs
- Drive timely closure by coordinating cross-functional teams and maintaining accountability throughout resolution
- Partner with engineering to develop corrective actions and translate findings into ECNs with clear technical rationale and root cause linkage
- Verify corrective action effectiveness through validation testing, process monitoring, and follow-up audits
Process Improvement & Manufacturing Integration
- Work with manufacturing and engineering to identify capability gaps and implement corrective actions into workflows
- Develop and optimize inspection plans, work instructions, and process controls based on design requirements and capability studies (Cpk, SPC)
- Drive process improvements including fixture design, tooling modifications, and DFM initiatives
- Monitor and report on production performance of deliverable hardware and software products
Quality Systems & Compliance
- Oversee and continuously improve the QMS, driving the site toward continued AS9100 compliance
- Support internal and external audits (AS9100 & customer) with technical documentation and corrective action evidence
- Manage NC, SCAR, and CA systems; track quality metrics including defect trends and corrective action effectiveness
- Participate in design reviews (PDR, CDR, CRB) to provide quality input on manufacturability, testability, and reliability
- Facilitate program-level MRB meetings and develop quality documentation
Technical Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Serve as quality engineering interface between engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and program management
- Lead cross-functional corrective action teams and facilitate problem-solving sessions
- Present quality metrics, corrective action status, and improvement initiatives to program leadership
- Witness and verify testing for laser and electro-optical systems; review technical documents to provide quality feedback
- Monitor supplier performance and lead supplier quality initiatives
We have an impressive range of benefits, programs, and perks that we offer:
Health & Wellness:
- Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
- Life and Long-Term Disability (LTD)
- Vision Reimbursement
- Fitness Reimbursement
Financial:
- 401(k) Retirement Plan Contributions
- Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
- Continuing Education Assistance
Work-Life Balance:
- Flexible Scheduling
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Paid Parental and Bereavement Leave
What We Value:
- Creativity and innovation in solving challenges
- Integrity and responsibility in all actions
- Collaboration across teams and specialties
- Responsiveness in fast-paced environments
- Passion for national security and excellence
Experiences and Background We Look For: (Required Skills)
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physics, or related discipline
- 7+ years of quality engineering experience in defense, aerospace, or highly regulated manufacturing environments
- Proven track record of leading root cause analysis investigations and driving complex nonconformances to closure in a timely and effective manner
- Demonstrated experience developing and implementing corrective actions that resulted in design or process changes, with measurable improvement in quality metrics and prevention of recurrence
- Strong background in root cause analysis methodologies (8D, 5 Why, Fishbone, FMEA, Fault Tree Analysis) with demonstrated ability to identify true root causes and implement effective countermeasures
- Experience managing nonconformance systems (NC, SCAR, CAPA) including investigation, corrective action planning, implementation tracking, and closure verification
- Experience working directly with engineering teams on design-for-quality, design-for-manufacturability, and design-for-reliability initiatives
- Working knowledge of Six Sigma tools (SPC, FMEA, 5S, DFM), statistical analysis, and process capability studies
- Working knowledge of GD&T (ASME Y14.5), engineering drawings, and technical specifications
- Experience with quality management software (TipQA, or similar FRACAS applications)
- Strong data analysis, statistics, test execution, and technical reporting skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with proven capability to comprehend and represent technical product specifications
- Self-starter with strong multitasking, project management, and organizational capabilities
- Capacity to work independently and collaboratively in cross-functional teams
- Strong sense of ownership and accountability for driving issues to resolution and closure
- U.S. Citizenship and ability to acquire a secret security clearance
Nice to Have: (Preferred Skills)
- Experience with optical system integration, alignment, and test (e.g., interferometry, optical metrology, laser characterization)
- Familiarity with laser safety standards, laser system design, directed energy systems, or high-power optical systems
- Understanding of opto-mechanical design, precision manufacturing, optical tolerancing, and optical quality control techniques
- Lean manufacturing or continuous improvement experience (Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping)
- Familiarity with reliability engineering principles (MTBF, FMECA)
- Experience working in an Agile/Scrum development process and understanding of QA processes for software development
- Active security clearance
The salary range for this role is $120,000/yr to $132,000/yr; however, Arete considers several factors when extending an offer of employment, including but not limited to: the position and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.
Other Considerations
Areté is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity and nondiscrimination, and we believe every person has the right to be treated with fairness, dignity, and equal consideration.
Areté is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
U.S. citizenship is required to meet position eligibility.
Successful passage of a criminal background screen is required to meet position eligibility.
Selected applicants will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.
Areté will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.
Successful passage of a Department of Transportation (DOT) drug test is required to meet position eligibility.
If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request an accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our website because of your disability. To request an accommodation, please contact Areté Human Resources at 818-885-2200 for assistance.
Areté does not accept unsolicited resumes or candidate submissions from staffing agencies, search firms, or third-party recruiters. All agency engagements must be authorized in advance through a written agreement with Areté's Human Resources Department. Areté will not be responsible for any fees or charges associated with unsolicited submissions, and any such submissions will be considered the property of Areté without obligation to the submitting party.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physics, or a related discipline
- 7+ years of quality engineering experience in defense, aerospace, or highly regulated manufacturing environments
- Experience leading root cause analysis investigations and driving complex nonconformances to closure
- Experience developing and implementing corrective actions resulting in design or process changes and measurable quality improvements
- Experience with 8D, 5 Why, Fishbone, FMEA, and Fault Tree Analysis
- Experience managing nonconformance systems, including NC, SCAR, and CAPA
- Experience with design-for-quality, design-for-manufacturability, and design-for-reliability initiatives
- Working knowledge of Six Sigma tools, SPC, FMEA, 5S, DFM, statistical analysis, and process capability studies
- Working knowledge of GD&T, ASME Y14.5, engineering drawings, and technical specifications
- Experience with quality management software such as TipQA or similar FRACAS applications
- Strong data analysis, statistics, test execution, and technical reporting skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to comprehend and represent technical product specifications
- Strong multitasking, project management, and organizational capabilities
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in cross-functional teams
- Strong ownership and accountability for driving issues to resolution
- U.S. citizenship
- Ability to acquire a Secret security clearance
- Experience with optical system integration, alignment, and testing
- Familiarity with laser safety standards, laser system design, directed energy systems, or high-power optical systems
- Understanding of opto-mechanical design, precision manufacturing, optical tolerancing, and optical quality control
- Lean manufacturing or continuous improvement experience
- Familiarity with reliability engineering principles, including MTBF and FMECA
- Experience with Agile/Scrum development and QA processes for software development
- Active security clearance
What We Do
Areté, an employee-owned company, is an advanced science and engineering company that provides innovative solutions to the most challenging technical problems faced by the United States Defense and Intelligence agencies. Areté is derived from the Greek word “ἀρέτη”, meaning the pursuit of excellence and the achievement of maximum performance. Areté was founded in 1976 by five scientists, tasked by the DoD to help solve the challenge of detecting weak signals in heavy clutter over very wide areas. The signatures involved in this work were so weak that any advancement in signal processing algorithms demanded a new approach and understanding of the underlying fundamentals affecting the sensors and signal phenomena in the environments of interest. This first-principles-of-physics approach has been a hallmark of Areté’s development programs for the past 40 years Areté now works across the electromagnetic spectrum. We develop sensors and the associated signal processing algorithms necessary for the extraction and interpretation of data for systems operating under water, in the atmosphere, and in space. With our emphasis on enhanced signal processing and real-time executable software, Areté is able to improve the performance of existing sensor systems at fractions of the cost and time to operations of replacement systems. We work directly with customers and partners seeking maximum performance. Building on our expertise in detection theory we will continue to exploit the contextual, spatial, spectral, and temporal characteristics of data, incorporating them into our signal processing algorithms. These robust algorithms will continue to enable Areté to rapidly deliver innovative solutions to the ever evolving challenges of our customers.
