Lead Product Quality Engineer, Aerospace & Defense

VulcanForms Inc.; Harvard (MA); On-site; USD 117,000 - 162,000; Full time

Job summary

VulcanForms Inc. is seeking a Lead Product Quality Engineer for the Aerospace & Defense sector to own quality strategy and execution across customer programs. You will set the technical standard for quality systems and drive process control in our high-tech digital production environment.

You will mentor and develop other quality engineers, lead CAPA programs, and represent quality in cross-functional product development and ongoing production initiatives throughout the program lifecycle.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of progressive quality engineering experience in a regulated manufacturing environment.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field.
• Proven mastery of FAIRs, NS steps such as CAPA/NCR handling, MRBs, and risk management tools.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary quality engineering lead for designated product lines across the lifecycle.
• Lead IQ/OQ/PQ for NPI and line expansions.
• Investigate NCRs, lead MRBs, drive CAPAs to eliminate systemic failure modes.
• Own SPC deployment, define CTQ metrics, and optimize metrology/testing protocols.
• Author, review, and approve DHFs, DMRs, and DHRs for audit readiness.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Process, and Machine Engineering to implement proactive quality controls.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior quality engineers and technicians.

Skills

CAPA

NCR investigation

SPC

QA documentation

AS9100/ISO13485

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

FAIRs

DFMEA/PFMEA

AS9100/ISO13485 systems

Job description

Job Purpose

VulcanForms is hiring a Lead Product Quality Engineer, Aerospace & Defense to own quality strategy and execution for customer programs within our aerospace & defense business unit. You will set the technical standard for quality systems and process control within our high-tech digital production environment. This role goes beyond individual task execution to shape how quality is built into the program from the outset, mentor and develop other quality engineers supporting the program, and represent quality engineering in cross-functional product development & ongoing production initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary quality engineering lead for designated product lines, managing product lifecycle quality frominitialvalidation through steady-state production.
• Lead and execute comprehensive process validations and verification activities (IQ/OQ/PQ) for new product introductions (NPI) and existing line expansions.
• Independently investigate complex product non-conformances (NCRs), lead material review boards (MRBs), and drive the execution of Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPAs) toeliminatesystemic failure modes.
• Own the deployment and monitoring of SPC frameworks, defining critical-to-quality (CTQ) metrics andoptimizingmetrology and testing protocols across the factory floor.
• Author, review, and approve critical quality system documentation (including DHFs, DMRs, and DHRs) tomaintaincontinuous audit readiness.
• Partner with Manufacturing, Process, and Machine Engineering teams during normal business hours to implement proactive quality controls and design-for-manufacturability initiatives.
• Build a high, performing team byprovidingtechnical guidance, coaching, and peer reviews for junior quality engineers and inspection technicians

Qualifications

• 8+ years of progressive quality engineering experience within a highly regulated advanced manufacturing environment, with strong preference for aerospace & defense experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Materials Science, or a related technical field preferred.
• Proven mastery of First Article Inspection Reports (FAIRs), process capabilitystudies ,and formal risk management tools (DFMEA/PFMEA).
• Hands-on experience working under AS9100 or ISO13485quality management systems.
• Familiarity with metal alloys, metallurgy, precision machining, or metal additive manufacturing processes.
• ASQ certifications (CQE, CRE) or Six Sigma Green/Black Belt a plus

VulcanForms offers a competitive salary and equity package. Actual compensation is based on factors such as the candidate’s skills, qualifications, and experience. In addition, VulcanForms provides comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance; generous paid time off; and a 401(k) plan with company match.

The annual base salary range for this position is $117,400 to $161,500.