Aerospace Quality Engineer: Drive Process Excellence

GKN Aerospace; El Cajon (CA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

GKN Aerospace in El Cajon, CA is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer - Quality Engineering to ensure aerospace products and processes meet internal standards and customer requirements. The QE partners with Manufacturing, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Programs to drive defect prevention and regulatory compliance.

The role covers on-site quality support, root cause analysis, supplier quality, customer interfaces, and continuous improvement, including Lean and Six Sigma initiatives to design quality

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, quality, manufacturing, or related field.
• 2+ years of quality engineering experience in aerospace or regulated manufacturing, or 5 years equivalent with no degree.
• Strong knowledge of AS9100, quality systems, and aerospace standards.
• Experience with root cause analysis and corrective action methodologies.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, and specifications.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and quality systems or ERP/MES tools.
• Experience with AS9102 First Article Inspection (FAI) and knowledge of special processes (e.g., heat treat, welding, NDT, plating).
• Preferred: GKN Experience.
• Preferred: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Preferred: Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Preferred: Ability to work cross-functionally in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Preferred: Detail-oriented with a strong commitment to compliance and product safety.

Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with AS9100, ISO 9001, and customer requirements; develop and maintain quality plans, control plans, and inspection plans; support audits.
• Manufacturing & Process Quality: provide on-site quality engineering support; perform root cause analysis; lead CAPA; monitor Cp/Cpk and yield; support FAI per AS9102.
• Supplier & Incoming Quality: support supplier qualification, audits, and performance management; review supplier quality data and CAPA; collaborate with Supply Chain.
• Customer Interface: act as quality contact for inquiries, audits, and escapes; support containment and root cause activities; present quality data to customers.
• Continuous Improvement: identify opportunities to improve quality, reliability, and manufacturability; support Lean and Six Sigma; participate in design/process reviews.

Skills

Root cause analysis

AS9100 knowledge

GD&T interpretation

Quality systems

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Tools

ERP/MES systems

Job description

GKN Aerospace in El Cajon, CA is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer - Quality Engineering to ensure aerospace products and processes meet internal standards and customer requirements. The QE partners with Manufacturing, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Programs to drive defect prevention and regulatory compliance.

The role covers on-site quality support, root cause analysis, supplier quality, customer interfaces, and continuous improvement, including Lean and Six Sigma initiatives to design quality