Aerospace Quality Engineer - APQP & Continuous Improvement

Howmet Aerospace Inc.; Hampton (VA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Howmet Aerospace Inc. in Hampton, VA is seeking a Quality Engineer JB20 to ensure product and process compliance across the manufacturing lifecycle. You will liaison between customers and internal teams, drive corrective actions, and lead continuous improvement initiatives.

The role emphasizes supporting Engineering, Manufacturing, Sales, and Suppliers, with expertise in quality tools, audits, and problem resolution. On-site location with standard full-time schedule.

Qualifications

• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and create project plans.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from the customer and/or management.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and technical documentation
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and organizational skills.
• Experience working with customer requirements, specifications, drawings, BOMs, and purchase orders.
• Working knowledge of quality tools and methodologies, including root cause analysis, corrective and preventive action, FMEA, 8D, PPAP, APQP, and problem-solving techniques

Responsibilities

• Ensure product compliance with customer purchase orders, blueprints, BOMs, specifications, and approved requirements.
• Serve as the primary point of contact and advocate for customers; maintain effective communication and support customer needs.
• Complete and submit customer verification requirements and product qualifications.
• Conduct and maintain weekly BOM, specification, and PC approval reviews to ensure ongoing compliance.
• Support customer calls, meetings, visits, and Quality-related activities.
• Manage customer returns, including disposition for repair, scrap, or return.
• Prepare and submit customer corrective actions and 8Ds/CAR responses.
• Coordinate nonconforming material reviews and customer concession requests.
• Provide technical Quality support to Engineering, Manufacturing, Sales, and Suppliers.
• Develop, maintain, and implement Quality procedures and instructions to meet customer and organizational requirements.
• Lead corrective and preventive actions, root cause analysis, problem solving, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Participate in continuous improvement team and one Kaizen events.
• Lead the internal audits and promote best practices across the facility.
• Perform Product Integrity Audits
• Conduct daily production floor walks from Wax through Final Verification and monitor Hold Tables.
• Delegate daily tasks to Quality Technicians and follow up on issues requiring additional support.
• Support Quality Technician ownership of Parts Submissions.
• Perform purchase order and specification reviews, APQP, NPI, and translation of customer requirements to the internal documentation.
• Participate in plant-level APQP/NPI activities.
• Support, lead and maintain FMEA, problem-solving, and root cause analysis activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Report writing

Communication skills

Engineering drawings interpretation

Analytical problem solving

Customer requirements handling

Quality tools & methods

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field

Tools

Root cause analysis

FMEA

8D

PPAP

APQP

Problem-solving techniques

Job description

Howmet Aerospace Inc. in Hampton, VA is seeking a Quality Engineer JB20 to ensure product and process compliance across the manufacturing lifecycle. You will liaison between customers and internal teams, drive corrective actions, and lead continuous improvement initiatives.

The role emphasizes supporting Engineering, Manufacturing, Sales, and Suppliers, with expertise in quality tools, audits, and problem resolution. On-site location with standard full-time schedule.