Lead Quality Engineer - Aerospace & Defense Industry!

The HEICO Companies, LLC; Exeter (NH); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Paid PTO

Sick Time

Parental Leave

401(k) with match

Education reimbursement

Climate-controlled facility

On-site break areas

Job summary

The HEICO Companies, LLC seeks a Senior Quality Engineer to be the Quality Director's technical partner, leading the QMS, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement at the Exeter site.

You will coordinate cross-functional quality initiatives, drive CAPA and audits, and provide mentorship to the quality team while ensuring aerospace standards and NADCAP expectations where applicable.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related technical discipline.
• Experience in aerospace quality environments and AS9100.
• Proficient with inspection tools and GD&T interpretation.
• Lead and coordinate CAPA, internal audits, and supplier quality.
• Strong problem-solving and cross-functional leadership.

Responsibilities

• Own the site Quality Management System (QMS) and ensure AS9100 compliance.
• Coordinate audits readiness and support customer audits.
• Lead cross-functional quality initiatives across Manufacturing, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Inspection.
• Mentor and provide technical leadership to Quality Engineers.

Skills

QMS leadership

Regulatory compliance

Continuous improvement

Cross-functional collaboration

Root cause investigations

CAPA

Problem-solving

GD&T interpretation

Leadership without authority

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering

Tools

Optical Comparator

CMM

Calipers

Digital height gauges

Job description

Senior Quality Engineer

Senior Quality Engineer serves as the Quality Director's primary technical and operational partner at the site, providing leadership for the Quality Management System (QMS), regulatory compliance, continuous improvement, and cross-functional quality initiatives. This position acts as the site quality leader in the absence of the Quality Director, coordinating quality activities across Manufacturing, Engineering, Supply Chain, Special Processes, and Inspection to ensure compliance with customer, regulatory, and AS9100 requirements. This position is responsible for maintaining and improving the Quality Management System, leading complex problem-solving activities, coordinating audit readiness, supporting strategic initiatives, and providing technical leadership and mentorship across theESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Serve as the site owner for the Quality Management System (QMS), ensuring continued compliance with AS9100, customer requirements, and applicable industry standards. Assist the Quality Director in the development, implementation, maintenance, and continual improvement of quality policies, procedures, work instructions, and process documentation. Coordinate document control activities related to Quality procedures and system documentation. Coordinate management review inputs, quality objectives, and quality performance reporting. Monitor QMS effectiveness using performance metrics to identify opportunities for improvement. Identify opportunities to simplify, standardize, and improve quality processes across the organization. Act as the Quality Director's delegate for day-to-day quality decisions and cross-functional coordination at the site. Coordinate quality priorities across multiple quality functions to ensure timely support of production and customer requirements. Partner with Manufacturing, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Operations leadership to resolve complex quality issues. Foster collaboration between Quality, Manufacturing, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Operations. Support workload balancing across the quality team based on business priorities. Lead complex root cause investigations using structured problem-solving methodologies (8D, RCCA, 5 Why, Fishbone, etc.). Facilitate cross-functional Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) activities and verify effectiveness. Identify systemic quality risks and implement preventive improvements. Ensure compliance with customer specifications, contract requirements, and aerospace regulatory requirements. Support customer audits and interface directly with customer quality representatives. Support Special Process (Dip Brazing, Vacuum Brazing, Heat Treat, and Chemical Processing) compliance. Provide technical support to other Quality Engineers as needed, including: Corrective actions, first article inspections (AS9102), supplier quality, contract review, customer returns /escapes, MRB activities, process validations, risk assessments, production support, inspection process improveements. Participate in new product introduction and process validation activities. Support production readiness activities, process validation, and risk assessments. Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical discipline. Equivalent experience may be considered. Preferred certifications: ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) ASQ Certified Auditor (CQA) Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt AS9100 Internal Auditor

COMPETENCIES

Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced aerospace manufacturing environment High level of professionalism and customer focus Strong organizational leadership without direct authority Ability to influence cross-functional teams Excellent decision-making skills Strong analytical skills and the ability to express technical concepts effectively, both written and verbally

EXPERIENCE

5-7 years of progressive Quality Engineering experience in aerospace, aviation, or defense manufacturing. Demonstrated experience supporting AS9100-certified manufacturing environments. Experience working within NADCAP-accredited special process environments strongly preferred. Experience serving as a technical leader or mentor without direct supervisory responsibility preferred. Proficient with inspection methods, tools, and instruments (Optical Comparator, digital height gages, CMM, calipers, etc.), preferred. Experienced interpreting GD&T requirements of complex machined components, preferred. Excellent computer skills and proficiency with Microsoft products; Familiarity with Nadcap accreditation is a plus.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Additional 40 hours of Sick Time
• Paid Parental Leave
• Competitive 401(k) plan with employer matching contributions
• Education reimbursement program for professional development
• Climate-controlled facility
• Subsidized vending and on-site break areas
• Complimentary coffee and refreshments
• Clean, modern work environment with advanced equipment and technology
• Opportunities for career growth within a stable, growing aerospace manufacturing organization

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout the work shift.
• Ability to frequently use hands and fingers to operate machine controls, tools, and measuring instruments.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and components weighing up to 40 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, and reach as required to load, unload, and inspect parts and equipment.
• Ability to perform repetitive motions involving the hands, wrists, and arms.
• Ability to visually inspect parts, interpret and read blueprints, technical drawings, work instructions, and use gauges, and measuring devices.
• Ability to distinguish colors, dimensions, and surface defects when performing quality inspections.
• Ability to hear and communicate effectively in a manufacturing environment.
• Ability to safely operate equipment in a fast-paced production setting while wearing required personal protective equipment (PPE), including safety glasses, hearing protection, safety shoes, and other equipment as required.
• Ability to work in an environment with exposure to machine noise, metal chips, cutting fluids, lubricants, and varying temperatures.
• Ability to maintain regular attendance and work scheduled shifts, including overtime as required.

Work Environment

• Manufacturing environment with exposure to moving mechanical equipment.
• Frequent interaction with machine tools, raw materials, and finished products.
• Compliance with all company safety policies, housekeeping requirements, and Foreign Object Debris (FOD) prevention practices.
• Required use of appropriate PPE and adherence to all safety procedures.

Essential Functions Disclaimer: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

ABOUT HEICO

Heico has a history of success. Since its founding over 40 years ago The Heico Companies has grown from a single business to over 80 separate companies through a strategic acquisition policy, and by reinvesting its earnings into internal growth and new prospects. Historically talented at restoring distressed companies, Heico now strategically targets acquisitions that will complement its ever-growing portfolio of companies in manufacturing, construction, and industrial services. These four core operations are organized into groups: Metal Processing Group, Construction Solutions Group, Applied Solutions Group, and Industrial Technologies Group. Once acquired, new Heico companies are assigned to a group and run on a stand-alone basis, allowing for great independence as well as the opportunity to share knowledge about markets, production processes, and management practices across other Heico groups and companies. Each Group has its own corporate team. Heico continues to seek out new opportunities and maintain its standard of success. The Heico Companies has remained a privately held company since its creation and maintains a majority ownership in each of its operations, which generates more than $3.3 billion dollars in revenues. Many of our businesses are certified Woman-owned Business Enterprises (WBE). More information about the holding company and overall organization can be found at www.heicocompanies.com.