EP Quality Systems Engineer

Aspen Aerogels, Inc.; East Providence (RI); On-site; USD 95,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Coverage

Vision Coverage

Tuition Reimbursement

Paid Holidays

Sick Time

PTO

401k Match

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Job summary

Aspen Aerogels, Inc. is seeking a Quality Systems Engineer in East Providence, RI to lead the Quality Management System and drive continuous improvement.

You will work closely with Operations, Process Engineering, Supply Chain, R&D, and EHS to ensure compliance with IATF 16949, ISO 9001, and customer requirements. The role emphasizes audits, corrective actions, document control, and cross-functional collaboration to enhance product quality and customer satisfaction.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality Management, Manufacturing, Supply Chain Management, or related technical field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience supporting, implementing, or auditing QMS in Automotive, Chemical, Pharmaceutical, Aerospace or manufacturing environments.
• IATF 16949 Lead Auditor with knowledge of Automotive Process approach and customer-specific requirements.
• Experience implementing or auditing IATF 16949-certified QMS.
• Knowledge of Automotive Core Tools and structured problem-solving methodologies.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally.

Responsibilities

• Lead the internal Quality Auditor Team and maintain auditor competency.
• Manage and improve the East Providence QMS to meet IATF 16949, ISO 9001, and other standards.
• Coordinate the audit program including process, layered audits, and certification activities.
• Investigate nonconformities using root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Maintain document control and ensure compliance with customer-specific requirements.
• Support change management and risk assessment activities related to quality systems.
• Promote standardization and continual improvement across functions and sites.

Skills

Lead Auditor

Auditing

Quality Management

Root Cause Analysis

Cross-functional Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

APQP/PPAP

FMEA

Control Plans

SPC/MSA

Automotive Core Tools

Job description

What we do-

Aspen is a technology leader in sustainability and electrification solutions. The Company's aerogel technology enables its customers and partners to achieve their own objectives around the global megatrends of resource efficiency, e-mobility, and clean energy. Aspen's PyroThin products enable solutions to thermal runaway challenges within the electric vehicle ("EV") market. The Company's Cryogel and Pyrogel products are valued by the world's largest energy infrastructure companies. Aspen's strategy is to partner with world-class industry leaders to leverage its Aerogel Technology Platform into additional high-value markets. Aspen is headquartered in Northborough, Mass.

What we value-

At Aspen, our values reflect who we are and how we work both with each other and our customers, suppliers, and communities. They shape our interactions, guide our decisions, and inspire us to bring our best. Whether collaborating internally or externally, our values drive us to make a meaningful impact within Aspen and in all our relationships.

Aspen's CORE Values

We Do the Right Thing

We are Problem Solvers

We are Allies

We Drive Forward

What you will do-

Aspen is seeking a motivated and collaborative Quality Systems Engineer to drive and continuously improve the East Providence Quality Management System (QMS). Reporting to the Quality Manager, this role is responsible for ensuring compliance with customer, regulatory, and internal quality requirements through effective management of quality system processes, corrective actions, document control, audits, and continuous improvement initiatives.

The Quality Systems Engineer works closely with Operations, Process Engineering, Supply Chain, R&D, EHS, and other cross-functional teams to promote quality, compliance, and operational excellence. While supporting alignment with Aspen's Global Quality Management System, the scope of this position is limited to the East Providence site and does not include responsibility for Quality Management System oversight, certification management, or audit scheduling at other Aspen locations.

How will you do it-

• Manage, maintain, and continuously improve the East Providence Quality Management System (QMS), ensuring compliance with IATF 16949, ISO 9001, VDA 6.3, applicable customer‑specific requirements, statutory and regulatory requirements, and alignment with the Global Aspen QMS.
• Develop, coordinate, and continuously improve the East Providence audit program, including Quality Management System, manufacturing process, layered process audits, customer, certification and other applicable audits.
• Ensure audit planning, execution, reporting, corrective‑action follow‑up, and effectiveness verification are conducted in accordance with applicable standards and customer requirements.
• Support investigations of internal, customer, supplier and audit‑related nonconformities using structured problem‑solving methodologies. Ensuring appropriate containment, root‑cause analysis, corrective actions, implementation and effectiveness verification.
• Manage the Customer‑Specific Requirements process, including identification, applicability reviews, revision monitoring, assignment of ownership, communication, implementation, integration into the Quality Management System, and verification of compliance.
• Monitor Quality Management Systems performance through Key Metrics, Management Review activities, audits, customer feedback, and operational performance data. Identify risk and improvement opportunities; drive actions to enhance process effectiveness, product quality, and customer satisfaction.
• Manage document and record control processes, ensuring internal and external quality documents, customer‑specific requirements, standards, specifications, records, and regulatory requirements are properly controlled, maintained, communicated, and available to applicable functions.
• Serve as a System Admin for Aspen's Quality Management System Software and support training, competency development, implementation of quality system requirements and maintenance of associated records.
• Coordinate quality‑systems‑related change management, risk assessment, opportunity evaluation, and contingency‑planning activities to ensure continued compliance, product conformity, operational continuity, and customer satisfaction.
• Support the application of Automotive Core Tools and Quality Methodologies, including APQP, PPAP, FMEA, Control Plans, SPC, MSA and other Continuous‑improvement tools.
• Promote standardization and continual improvement by incorporating lessons learned and best practices. Including but not limited to Audit Results, Customer Feedback and corrective‑action outcomes.
• Prepare and communicate quality‑system performance, audit results, risk, compliance concerns, resource needs, and improvement initiatives to management and site stakeholders.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Lead and coordinate the Internal Quality Auditor Team and ensure the availability, qualification, competency, independence, and ongoing development of internal auditors.

Why you are right for the job-

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality Management, Manufacturing, Supply Chain Management, or another relevant technical discipline.
• Minimum five (5) years of experience supporting, implementing, maintaining, or auditing Quality Management Systems within Automotive, Chemical, Pharmaceutical, Aerospace or manufacturing environments.
• Qualified IATF 16949 Lead Auditor with demonstrated knowledge of the Automotive Process approach, customer‑specific requirements, internal auditing, and applicable quality‑system standards. VDA 6.3 Process Auditor Certification preferred.
• Demonstrated experience implementing, maintaining, or auditing an IATF 16949‑certified Quality Management System.
• Working knowledge and practical application of Automotive Core Tools, structured problem‑solving methodologies, root‑cause analysis, and other quality improvement tools and techniques.
• Experience working with Automotive OEMs and/or Tier 1 or Tier 2 Supplier Preferred.
• Strong analytical, organizational, project‑management and communication skills with the ability to effectively collaborate across functional teams, organizational levels, and geographical locations.
• Business‑level English communication skills required; business‑level Spanish communication skills preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to develop, maintain, and improve Quality Management System processes, documentation, and compliance activities while exercising a high degree of discretion with confidential and sensitive information.
• Ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally as required, including occasional short notice travel to support business needs.

What to expect-

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

• Frequently required to stand
• Occasionally required to walk
• Frequently required to sit
• Frequently required to utilize hand and finger dexterity
• Occasionally required to climb, balance, bend, stoop, kneel or crawl
• Frequently works near moving mechanical parts
• Frequently works around fumes, airborne particles, or toxic chemicals
• Occasionally exposed to extreme heat or cold (non‑weather)
• While performing the duties of this job, the noise level in the work environment is usually moderate
• The Engineer must occasionally lift and/or move more than 10 pounds.

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

PERKS OFJOININGOUR TEAM!

Aspen is committed to offering a comprehensive benefits package, a positive and productive work environment, encouraged work/life and family balance, and opportunities for growth and development, in a culture that is focused on inclusion, sustainability, and working together to solve the world's toughest challenges.

Aspen is proud to offer a competitive benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision, Tuition Reimbursement, Paid Holidays, Sick Time, and PTO. In addition, we also offer 401k Employer Match, Life and Disability Insurance, and other benefits.

Expected Compensation: Between $95,000 and $110,000 USD/year based on experience.

Aspen Aerogels, Inc. is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please send an e‑mail to [e-mail] or call and leave a voice message at (508) 466‑3111 and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information and we will return your message.

For Our Rhode Island Applicants:

Aspen Aerogels, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics. The East Providence, RI facility of Aspen Aerogels is subject to Title 28, Chapter 29-6.2 of Rhode Island General Laws, which governs Worker's Compensation.

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.