Senior Quality Engineer

Description

The company builds avionics that run the flight controls of the largest commercial jets, in-flight entertainment systems used by 50 million travelers a year, and flight simulators that train fighter, transport and search and rescue helicopter pilots.

This is a hybrid role based in Irvine, California.

Quality work covers hardware design, production and fielded products, along with APQP, airworthiness regulatory tasks and PMA ODA duties.

You will work with operations, engineering, finance and program management, and with customers, suppliers, service providers and regulators. When needed, you will also act as a delegate.

Responsibilities

• Lead and guide quality assurance and APQP activities, root cause corrective action, safety management system work and the Product Safety Board across the Irvine and Orlando sites, including PMA ODA and regulatory tasks.
• Make personnel and technical decisions for hardware quality assurance and PMA ODA without needing sign-off from the hardware QA manager or director or the PMA ODA administrator.
• Run cross-department discussions to solve problems and drive improvement. Teach problem-solving circles, improvement methods and root cause analysis. Check requirements and send PMA application packages to the PMA ODA administrator.
• Review the performance of hardware quality engineers and PMA ODA unit members, their roles, product safety investigation reports and presentations. Assess process compliance, risk and maturity across design, configuration control, manufacturing and supplier control, as well as flow-down and traceability of technical and contract requirements, APQP deliverables and RCCA plans.
• Write reports, presentations and formal letters or memos. Revise procedures, forms and inspection instructions. Report task and objective status in writing or verbally.
• Mentor team members and lead cross-functional projects such as audits, continual improvement and new process development.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science with 4+ years of related experience, or an equivalent mix of education and experience. Active involvement in regulatory airworthiness work and use of regulator websites is expected.
• Solid quality assurance and quality engineering background across aerospace, automotive, electronics and contract manufacturing. Working knowledge of FMEA, RCCA, SPC, control plans, containment, MRB, configuration control and QA plans.
• Hands-on APQP work through all phases (AS9145) and related tools. Skilled at nonconforming part containment, root cause corrective action, quality system and process audits, and running Product Safety Board meetings with careful review of safety reports.
• Manage people, lead teams, run performance evaluations, resolve personnel conflicts, prioritize workload and enforce process compliance. Offer practical solutions and stay calm under pressure.
• Hands-on manufacturing knowledge: mechanical inspection tools (calipers, rulers, scales), reading two-dimensional drawings and understanding technical specifications, with close attention to detail.
• Strong communication, facilitation and reporting. Present ideas clearly verbally and in writing, run meetings in person or virtually, and build reports, proposals, analyses and status updates. Proficient in Outlook, Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer at the time of hire.

Conditions

Hybrid work in Irvine, California. Core hours are Monday to Friday.

Work areas include manufacturing and production floors, lab testing facilities and a warehouse.

The job involves typing, reading, sitting, walking, bending at the knees and waist, and lifting up to 25 lbs.

Travel of up to 20%, domestic and international, may be required.

When needed, your personal vehicle may be used for trips to local suppliers, test facilities and the airport.

No regulatory compliance requirements apply. Visa sponsorship is not available now or in the future.

Equal opportunity employer, including disability and veteran status.

Benefits

• Reference total target compensation range of 98,337.00 to 163,895.00 USD per year, covering base salary plus the variable compensation target. Placement within the range depends on career history, skills, performance, budget, customer requirements and internal equity. Additional compensation may be offered for reasons unrelated to legally protected status.
• Full-time employees working 30 or more hours a week, plus eligible dependents, can choose health, dental, vision, FSA or HSA, voluntary life and AD&D, whole group life with LTC, critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident, legal, identity theft and pet insurance.
• Retirement savings plan starting after 30 days, with company contribution and matching, and no vesting period.
• Paid holidays and paid time off.
• Company-paid life insurance, AD&D, disability, employee assistance program and well-being program.