Lead Product Quality Engineer, Aerospace & Defense - Equity

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

Job summary

VulcanForms Inc. is seeking a Lead Product Quality Engineer for its Aerospace & Defense unit to own quality strategy and execution across customer programs. You will set quality standards, mentor engineers, and drive cross-functional improvements from design through production.

The role emphasizes leading validations, CAPAs, and continuous quality control in a high-tech manufacturing environment. Base salary ranges with comprehensive benefits are provided.

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 capability studies, and formal risk management tools (DFMEA/PFMEA).
• Hands-on experience working under AS9100 or ISO 13485 quality 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

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary quality engineering lead for designated product lines, managing product lifecycle quality from initial validation 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) to eliminate systemic failure modes.
• Own the deployment and monitoring of SPC frameworks, defining critical-to-quality (CTQ) metrics and optimizing metrology and testing protocols across the factory floor.
• Author, review, and approve critical quality system documentation (including DHFs, DMRs, and DHRs) to maintain continuous 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 by providing technical guidance, coaching, and peer reviews for junior quality engineers and inspection technicians

Skills

Quality engineering

A&D experience

AS9100/ISO13485

DFMEA/PFMEA

SPC/CTQ metrics

CAPA leadership

Education

Bachelors in Engineering/Materials Science

Job description

VulcanForms Inc. is seeking a Lead Product Quality Engineer for its Aerospace & Defense unit to own quality strategy and execution across customer programs. You will set quality standards, mentor engineers, and drive cross-functional improvements from design through production.

The role emphasizes leading validations, CAPAs, and continuous quality control in a high-tech manufacturing environment. Base salary ranges with comprehensive benefits are provided.