Lead Composites Quality Engineer - Build Quality Systems

Approach Venture; Hawthorne (FL); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Benefits

Career growth

Job summary

Approach Venture, an early-stage advanced manufacturing company in Hawthorne, CA, seeks a Lead Composites Quality Engineer to build the quality foundation for next-generation composite manufacturing. You will spend substantial time on the shop floor performing inspections, investigating defects, developing testing methods, and improving processes while shaping scalable quality systems.

You will lead root-cause analyses, drive AS9100 and ISO 9001 readiness, mentor engineers, and collaborate with

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Manufacturing, Materials Science, Polymers, or related.
• 5+ years quality engineering in composite/advanced manufacturing environments.
• Experience with carbon fiber, CFRP, RTM, prepregs, or similar composites.
• Strong understanding of quality in composite manufacturing and defect analysis.
• Experience with MRB, non-conformance, supplier quality, and audits.
• Hands-on on-floor manufacturing and collaboration with cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead quality engineering across composite manufacturing from development to production.
• Develop inspection plans, acceptance criteria, and quality standards for components.
• Partner with manufacturing and process engineering to improve yield and process capability.
• Investigate defects (delamination, porosity, distortion, resin-rich) and drive CAPAs.
• Build and implement Quality Management System; pursue AS9100/ISO 9001 certifications.
• Mentor and develop future quality engineers and inspectors.

Skills

Quality engineering

Composite manufacturing

Root cause analysis

On-floor inspection

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Aerospace/Materials/Composites

Tools

CMMs

Laser scanners

Faro arms

Ultrasonic testing

Thermography

Job description

Approach Venture, an early-stage advanced manufacturing company in Hawthorne, CA, seeks a Lead Composites Quality Engineer to build the quality foundation for next-generation composite manufacturing. You will spend substantial time on the shop floor performing inspections, investigating defects, developing testing methods, and improving processes while shaping scalable quality systems.

You will lead root-cause analyses, drive AS9100 and ISO 9001 readiness, mentor engineers, and collaborate with