Intern, Quality Engineer

Crystal Group; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Crystal Group is seeking an Intern, Quality Engineer to support quality activities in an engineering environment. You will learn established quality processes while contributing to FAI, nonconformance handling, audits, and process improvement within a team-based setting.

You will work under supervision in a full-time on-site role with regular schedule and exposure to aerospace and manufacturing quality practices.

Qualifications

• Pursuing a BS in engineering or related technical field.
• US Person eligible for employment.
• Interest in quality, manufacturing, or aerospace environments.

Responsibilities

• Assist FAI activities by reviewing drawings and specifications.
• Support MRB and nonconformance activities with data collection.
• Contribute to containment, root-cause analysis, and corrective actions.
• Provide quality support to manufacturing and inspection tasks.
• Assist internal audits and collection of objective evidence.
• Review drawings, customer requirements and contract quality clauses.

Skills

Engineering fundamentals

Technical drawings

Data analysis

Microsoft Office

Communication skills

Multitasking

Education

BS in engineering or related field

Tools

AS9102 documentation

Job description

Job Description:

Job Title: Intern, Quality Engineer

Reports to: Manager, Quality

Department: Engineering

Work Model: Full-time, On-site - No Travel Required

Schedule: Monday - Friday 8am-5pm

Company Information

At Crystal Group, we do hard things - designing and building rugged tech and tech solutions that provide predictable performance in the world’s most unforgiving environments. As a 100% employee-owned company, here you take extreme ownership of your role and work and invest in your own success and that of your teammates. Together we use a zero limits approach to wow our customers.

Job Summary

This position supports Quality Engineering and Quality Management System activities while providing practical experience in aerospace and manufacturing quality. Under the guidance of Quality team members, the intern assists with first article inspection documentation, nonconformance and corrective action activities, manufacturing Quality support, internal audit evidence collection, requirements review, process-risk activities, and Quality data analysis. The intern will contribute to real departmental projects while learning established Quality processes, standards, tools, and decision boundaries.

Essential Functions

• Assist Quality Engineers with First Article Inspection (FAI) activities by reviewing drawings and specifications, organizing characteristic accountability information, collecting objective evidence, and supporting preparation or review of AS9102 documentation.
• Support nonconforming material and Material Review Board (MRB) activities by gathering facts, documenting nonconformances, tracking required actions, and helping verify that records are complete. Disposition and acceptance decisions remain with authorized personnel.
• Participate in containment, root cause analysis, corrective action, and effectiveness follow-up by collecting data, mapping processes, researching evidence, and supporting assigned actions under guidance.
• Provide Quality support to manufacturing and inspection activities by researching applicable requirements, gathering objective evidence, identifying questions, and escalating issues to the appropriate Quality Engineer or authorized decision-maker.
• Assist with internal audit activities by preparing supporting information, sampling records, observing processes, and documenting objective evidence under the direction of qualified audit personnel.
• Assist with reviews of drawings, specifications, customer requirements, and contract quality clauses to identify applicable Quality requirements and potential gaps for review by experienced Quality personnel.
• Participate in FMEA, PFMEA, Control Plan, or other risk-based activities to help connect identified risks with manufacturing, inspection, and verification controls.
• Collect, analyze, and summarize Quality data such as defects, nonconformances, escapes, audit results, and process metrics; prepare clear reports, charts, or recommendations for review.
• Support supplier and customer Quality activities as assigned, including preparation for source inspections, collection of supplier issue data, action tracking, and documentation support.
• Assist with continuous improvement activities, including updating procedures, work instructions, templates, or process documentation and researching applicable best practices.
• Work cross-functionally with Quality, Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, and other departments while following established procedures, confidentiality requirements, and escalation paths.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Foundational understanding of engineering, manufacturing, mathematics, statistics, or related technical concepts.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, specifications, procedures, and other technical information, or demonstrated ability to learn these skills with guidance.
• Ability to organize information, maintain accurate records, and distinguish observed facts and objective evidence from assumptions.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office tools, including Word and Excel; ability to organize and analyze data is helpful.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work with people across different functions and levels of the organization.
• Ability to manage multiple assigned tasks, follow established procedures, ask questions when requirements are unclear, and adjust priorities as directed.
• Ability to work both independently on defined assignments and collaboratively as part of a team.

Required Qualifications

• Must be a US Person (US Citizen, person granted US Permanent Resident Card or any individual who is granted status as a "protected person")
• Pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering, quality, manufacturing, industrial engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or a related technical field.

Preferred Qualifications

• Coursework, laboratory work, student projects, prior internship experience, or other exposure related to manufacturing, Quality, process improvement, or data analysis.
• Familiarity with one or more Quality concepts or standards such as AS9100, ISO 9001, AS9102, root cause analysis, corrective action, FMEA, SPC, Lean, or Six Sigma.
• Exposure to engineering drawings, dimensional inspection, GD&T, manufacturing processes, or product verification activities.
• Experience using Excel or similar tools to organize, analyze, and present data.

Working Conditions

Work is primarily performed in an office environment. Occasional exposure to manufacturing floor and testing environments. May require lifting up to 25 lbs, standing for extended periods during product testing.

EEO Statement

Crystal Group, Inc, maintains a program of equal employment opportunity designed to ensure that employment and advancement opportunities are made available to all employees and applicants on the basis of individual qualifications and without regard to race, religion, color, creed, national origin, disability, age, sex, genetic information, military status, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Offer Contingency

All job offers are contingent on the applicant successfully completing the background check, physical assessment and drug screen.

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and to assign other responsibilities as necessary. Employment with Crystal Group remains at-will.