Location : Lake Forest, CA

Salary : $110,000 — $120,000

Bonus : $10/k – $15k

Position Summary

Seeking a Senior Quality Engineer to support advanced technology programs transitioning into U.S.-based manufacturing, repair, and sustainment. This role is responsible for independently executing production, test, and supplier quality activities to ensure compliance with program requirements, reporting obligations, and internal quality standards. This position reports to the Quality Manager and works closely with Program Management, Production Systems Engineering, Supply Chain, and Engineering.

Key Responsibilities

Program Quality and Compliance

• Ensure manufacturing, repair, and test activities comply with program requirements, contractual obligations, and internal quality standards.
• Support program execution with disciplined quality planning, execution, and reporting aligned with milestone-based program reviews.
• Participate in program reviews, readiness assessments, and audits as required.
• Support customer and corporate quality engagements related to production, repair, and sustainment activities.

Manufacturing and Test Quality

• Partner with Production Systems Engineering to review and approve manufacturing processes, work
• instructions, and test flows from a quality perspective.
• Ensure production and test documentation is accurate, controlled, and consistent with approved processes.
• Support validation of production lines prior to LRIP and FRP, including process verification and readiness
• Support nonconformance identification, documentation, root cause analysis, and corrective action.

Supplier Quality and Incoming Inspection

• Lead supplier quality activities for mechanical, optical, and electronic components supporting advanced technology programs.
• Support supplier qualification, including first article inspection (FAI), capability assessments, and ongoing
• supplier compliance.
• Define and support incoming inspection plans in coordination with Supply Chain and Engineering.
• Monitor supplier performance and drive corrective actions as required.

Reporting and Systems

• Ensure quality data, inspection results, and nonconformance records are accurately captured and maintained in company systems.
• Support program reporting requirements related to quality, test, and compliance.
• Partner with Program Management to ensure quality impacts to cost, schedule, and risk are visible and addressed.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Program Management to support cost, schedule, and risk objectives through effective
• quality execution.
• Collaborate with Production Systems Engineering to ensure quality is built into manufacturing processes, not inspected in afterward.
• Coordinate with Supply Chain on supplier issues, material disposition, and corrective actions.
• Support training and on-the-job guidance for technicians related to quality requirements, inspection, and documentation.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 3-7 years of experience in quality engineering, manufacturing quality, or supplier quality roles.
• Experience working in regulated manufacturing environments such as aerospace, defense, medical devices, or similar industries.

Quality and Technical Background

• Experience with first article inspections (FAI), incoming inspection, and supplier quality processes.
• Familiarity with manufacturing and test documentation such as work instructions, travelers, inspection plans, and test reports.
• Experience supporting root cause analysis and corrective action.
• Working knowledge of quality management systems and production quality controls.

Skills and Attributes

• Detail-oriented, organized, and execution-focused.
• Comfortable working on the production floor and interacting directly with technicians.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Able to work independently while collaborating across engineering, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and program teams.
• Pragmatic problem solver with a bias toward resolution and continuous improvement.

Why Us?

• Competitive Benefits: Medical plan coverage, 401k plan with employer matching, Paid time-off, Tuition reimbursement, Profit sharing
• High-impact mission support: Your work contributes to critical surveillance platforms used by US DoD, DHS, NASA, and international clients.
• Modular, future-proof design: Work with systems built for long-term operation and upgradeability.
• Quality-driven environment: Operate within AS9100D and ISO 9001 certified processes