Lead Quality Engineer

Ontic Engineering & Manufacturing Inc; California (MO); On-site; USD 110,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical insurance

Competitive PTO

401K plan with up to 4% matched

Annual bonus program

Flexible working arrangements

Volunteer opportunities

Mental health support

Career development

Employee referral program

Job summary

Ontic Engineering & Manufacturing Inc in Chatsworth, CA seeks a Lead Quality Engineer to lead quality engineering activities across aerospace programs. You will interface with Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain and Customers to ensure AS9100 compliance and continuous improvement.

The role requires 7+ years in aerospace quality, MRB and CAPA experience, and ability to drive corrective actions and process validation. Competitive benefits and bonus programs are offered.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in quality engineering in aerospace or regulated manufacturing
• Strong knowledge of AS9100/AS9102 MRB and nonconformance management
• Root cause analysis and CAPA methodology experience
• Process validation and quality systems knowledge
• ASQ certification is a plus

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and prioritize quality objectives for engineers
• Act as escalation point for complex quality and customer issues
• Drive timely closure of quality actions and deliverables
• Support staffing, training, and development of quality personnel
• Oversee MRB activities for disposition of nonconforming material
• Lead RMA investigations and customer quality responses
• Ensure completion and approval of FAIRs per AS9102
• Drive CAPA and continual improvement across product lines
• Ensure compliance with AS9100 and regulatory audits

Skills

Leadership

MRB management

CAPA methodology

Root cause analysis

Process validation

Quality systems

AS9100 compliance

Customer quality support

Job description

We are a fast-paced business with ambitious growth plans; so if you are dedicated, enthusiastic and always seeking ways to improve, you'll enjoy a career with us! Ontic is a leading global aerospace OEM trusted by the world's aviation leaders. Ontic's Chatsworth, CA, site specializes in precision engineering, MRO, and new solutions for parts at risk of obsolescence. With over 1,400 employees across four time zones and seven sites, we have more than doubled in size since 2019 and are continuing to grow at pace. Our team is looking for a Lead Quality Engineer at Chatsworth, CA office, to join them. The Lead Quality Engineer is responsible for leading quality engineering activities that ensure product conformity, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement across aerospace programs. This role provides technical leadership, prioritization, and oversight of quality engineering functions including MRB, RMA, FAIRs, process validation, corrective actions, and quality system adherence. The Lead serves as a key interface between Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Customers to drive operational excellence and compliance with AS9100, customer, and regulatory requirements.

To be considered for Lead Quality Engineer opening, here’s what you’ll need to bring with you:

• A minimum 7+ years of experience in quality engineering experience in an aerospace or regulated manufacturing environment
• Strong working knowledge of AS9100 / AS9102 MRB and nonconformance management
• Root cause analysis and CAPA methodologist experience
• Process validation and quality systems knowledge
• ASQ- American Society for Quality certification is a plus

As a Lead Quality Engineer, you will:

• Leadership & Oversight Lead, mentor, and support Quality Engineers in daily execution of quality objectives and workload prioritization
• Act as a technical escalation point for complex quality, compliance, and customer issues
• Drive accountability for timely closure of quality activities and deliverables
• Support staffing, training, and development of quality engineering personnel

Material Review Board (MRB) & Nonconformance Management

• Oversee MRB activities to ensure timely, compliant disposition of nonconforming material
• Ensure MRB actions are reviewed, dispositioned, and documented within defined timelines
• Verify root cause analysis and corrective actions are technically sound and effective

RMA & Customer Quality Support

• Lead RMA investigations and responses, ensuring timely evaluation, containment, and corrective action
• Interface directly with customers as required to resolve quality concerns and support satisfaction
• Ensure lessons learned are captured and communicated to prevent recurrence

Process Validation & First Article Inspection (FAI)

• Ensure process validations are planned, executed, and documented in accordance with internal, customer, and regulatory requirements
• Oversee completion and approval of First Article Inspection Reports (FAIRs) in accordance with AS9102
• Support new product introduction and configuration changes from a quality perspective

Continual Improvement & Corrective Action

• Drive continual improvement initiatives across assigned product lines or processes
• Lead corrective and preventive action (CAPA) activities using structured problem-solving methodologies
• Analyze quality data and metrics to identify trends, risks, and improvement opportunities

Quality Systems & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with AS9100, customer-specific requirements, and applicable regulatory standards
• Support internal, customer, and regulatory audits and ensure timely closure of audit findings
• Maintain accuracy and integrity of quality documentation, records, and ticketing systems

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Manufacturing, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Program Management to ensure quality objectives are met
• Support supplier quality activities as required, including issue resolution and corrective actions
• Promote a culture of quality, accountability, and compliance throughout the organization

Our Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical insurance
• Competitive PTO, holiday pay, and sick leave
• Company 401K plan with up to 4% matched contribution
• Annual bonus program (varies by level and discretionary based on company and individual performance)
• Flexible working arrangements
• Paid volunteering opportunities
• Access to mental health champions across our sites
• Commitment to development
• Employee referral program

EOE/Minority/Female/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/Disability/Veteran

Compensation Pay Range 110,000.00 - 135,000.00

Please click here to review Ontic's California Consumer Privacy Act policy.

Ontic Engineering and Manufacturing Inc. is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex including sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. This position must meet export control compliance requirements. To meet export control compliance requirements, a U.S. Person as defined by 22. C.F.R. 120.15 is required. U.S. Person includes U.S. Citizen, lawful permanent resident, asylee, or refugee. Ontic is a leading manufacturer to the world's civil and military aircraft. By becoming the OEM to critical parts others originally developed, we provide continuity, availability and longevity to our customers' fleets, supporting them for a lifetime of flight. Through our in-house manufacturing and engineering, MRO, spares, and AOG support, we ensure certified, safety-critical components remain available, compliant, and reliable across the full operational life of the aircraft we support. We use our expertise and experience to reduce supply chain risk, improve production outputs and deliver for our customers, so they can keep their aircraft flying now and in the future.