Senior Quality Engineer

Description

Company Background and Summary

Votaw Precision Technologies is a trusted leader in the manufacturing of complex precision components, assemblies, and systems for the aerospace, defense, and industrial sectors. With a strong reputation for technical excellence, quality craftsmanship, and on-time delivery, Votaw supports many of the world's most advanced aerospace and defense programs. Our precision components support the International Space Station, nearly every major launch vehicle in operation, advanced spacecraft (including classified missions), next-generation fighter aircraft, bombers, submarines, radar systems, and ground vehicles.

The Senior Quality Engineer is a highly visible technical leadership role responsible for transforming quality from an inspection-focused function into a proactive driver of operational excellence. Partnering closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Program Management, and Customers, this position is responsible for improving quality at the source by reducing defects, eliminating root causes, improving first-pass yield, increasing throughput, and reducing the Cost of Poor Quality.

This role serves as a builder and change agent, establishing scalable quality processes, strengthening cross-functional accountability, and driving continuous improvement initiatives that directly improve manufacturing performance, customer satisfaction, profitability, and EBITDA.

Essential Functions

Manufacturing Quality

• Lead root cause investigations utilizing structured problem-solving methodologies including 8D, 5 Why, Fishbone, and other Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) tools. 
• Drive corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) through implementation, verification, and sustainable closure. 
• Analyze recurring defects and implement permanent process improvements that reduce variation and improve product quality. 
• Partner with Manufacturing Engineering to improve process capability, reduce waste, optimize manufacturing methods, and improve throughput. 
• Support shop floor problem solving by working directly with operators, supervisors, engineers, and production leadership. 
• Develop and implement quality controls that prevent defects rather than relying solely on inspection activities. 

Program Quality & Manufacturing Readiness

• Participate in Engineering Review Board (ERB), production readiness reviews, and manufacturing planning activities. 
• Review customer quality requirements, specifications, and special contractual clauses to ensure manufacturing plans fully incorporate applicable quality requirements. 
• Support First Article Inspection (FAI) planning, execution, and documentation in accordance with AS9102 requirements. 
• Assess manufacturing process risks and ensure quality requirements are embedded into production planning before manufacturing begins. 
• Review engineering drawings, specifications, and 3D CAD models to validate manufacturability and quality compliance. 

Non-Conformance & Corrective Action

• Lead investigation, disposition, and closure of internal non-conformances. 
• Analyze NCR trends to identify systemic quality issues and implement sustainable corrective actions. 
• Drive measurable reductions in defects, scrap, rework, customer escapes, and Cost of Poor Quality. 
• Facilitate cross-functional problem-solving activities involving Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, and Program Management. 
• Support Material Review Board (MRB) activities and disposition of non-conforming material. 

Customer Quality

• Serve as the technical quality interface with customers including Blue Origin, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, Moog, and other strategic aerospace and defense customers. 
• Support customer audits, source inspections, and quality system assessments. 
• Lead responses to customer corrective action requests, quality escapes, and technical quality concerns. 
• Prepare, review, and improve quality documentation packages supporting customer requirements. 
• Represent Votaw during customer quality reviews and technical discussions. 

Supplier Quality

• Partner with Supply Chain to resolve supplier quality issues and improve supplier performance. 
• Lead supplier corrective actions and containment activities. 
• Support qualification, monitoring, and performance management of suppliers and special process providers. 
• Improve incoming quality through supplier performance metrics and continuous improvement initiatives. 

Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence

• Develop and maintain quality performance metrics that drive business decision-making and operational improvements. 
• Lead quality improvement projects that directly improve throughput, margin expansion, EBITDA, and customer satisfaction. 
• Analyze manufacturing performance data to identify trends, reduce variation, and improve process capability. 
• Champion Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement, and operational excellence initiatives across the organization. 
• Mentor and influence cross-functional teams to establish a culture of quality ownership and continuous improvement. 
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Qualifications and Skills

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Quality Engineering, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent combination of education and experience. 
• 10 - 15 years of progressive quality engineering experience within aerospace manufacturing or another highly regulated manufacturing environment. 
• Strong working knowledge of AS9100 quality management systems and aerospace customer quality requirements. 
• Demonstrated experience leading Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) investigations utilizing 8D, 5 Why, Fishbone, or similar structured methodologies. 
• Experience supporting precision machining, fabrication, welding, and complex aerospace hardware manufacturing. 
• Strong understanding of Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T), blueprint interpretation, and engineering specifications. 
• Experience with First Article Inspection (AS9102), manufacturing quality planning, inspection methodologies, and statistical process control. 
• Strong analytical, organizational, and technical problem-solving skills. 
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, ERP/MRP systems, and quality management software. 
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills with the ability to influence cross-functional teams without direct authority. 

Preferred Qualifications

• ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE). 
• AS9100 Lead Auditor or Internal Auditor certification. 
• Experience implementing Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma methodologies. 
• Green Belt or Black Belt certification preferred. 
• Experience supporting customer quality requirements for major aerospace and defense OEMs. 
• Experience building or transforming quality systems within a growing manufacturing organization.

Key Performance Indicators

• First Pass Yield (FPY) 
• Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ) 
• Scrap & Rework Reduction 
• Rework Hours 
• Customer Escapes 
• Non-Conformance Report (NCR) Aging 
• Corrective Action Closure Performance 
• Supplier Defect Rate 
• Internal & External Audit Results 
• Manufacturing Throughput Improvements 
• Customer Satisfaction Metrics

Personal Attributes

• Builder mentality with a demonstrated ability to establish scalable quality systems, processes, and operating mechanisms. 
• Change agent capable of driving cross-functional accountability and influencing Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, and Program Management without direct authority. 
• Hands-on problem solver equally comfortable on the manufacturing floor, in customer meetings, and presenting performance metrics to executive leadership. 
• Highly driven, self-motivated, and passionate about continuous improvement and operational excellence. 
• Results-oriented with a bias for action, accountability, and measurable business outcomes. 
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-growth manufacturing environment with changing priorities and demanding customer schedules. 

Work Conditions

• Ability to work onsite, including hours outside of a normal working day, to support production schedules, customer commitments, and critical business needs. 
• Ability to safely perform the physical demands of a manufacturing environment, including prolonged walking, occasional lifting (up to 25 pounds), and the use of required personal protective equipment (PPE).

Additional Requirements

• This position requires the use of information or access to hardware subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). All applicants must be U.S. persons as defined by ITAR.

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge, skills, education, and experience.

Votaw Precision Technologies, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer including Disability/Vets.