Lead Quality Process Engineer – Aerospace Shot Peening & Chemical Processing

Valence Surface Technologies; Paramount (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance

Employer-paid Basic Life Insurance

Supplemental Life Insurance

401(k) with Employer Match

Generous PTO

Job summary

Valence Surface Technologies in Paramount, CA is seeking a technical leader for shot peening operations to ensure NADCAP and AS9100 conformity, develop and maintain SOPs, and supervise audits and process qualifications. The role emphasizes leadership and cross-functional collaboration with aerospace customers and OEMs.

The ideal candidate brings extensive shot peening expertise, strong problem-solving skills, and proven experience with aerospace industry standards.

Qualifications

• Related technical field or equivalent aerospace industry experience.
• Minimum 5 years aerospace shot peening experience; 10+ years preferred.
• Hands-on experience with automated, manual, tumble peening, and shot peen forming processes.
• Demonstrated NADCAP and AS9100 experience.
• Strong understanding of shot peening theory, Almen intensity, coverage verification, media control, and process validation.
• Experience with Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Bombardier requirements preferred.
• Project management and continuous improvement experience.
• Strong leadership, communication, and customer relationship skills.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the site technical authority for all shot peening processes and related quality requirements.
• Ensure compliance with NADCAP, AS9100, customer specifications, and aerospace industry requirements.
• Lead NADCAP, customer, and internal audit preparation and execution.
• Develop, review, and maintain technique sheets, work instructions, operating procedures, and process specifications.
• Provide technical oversight for Automated, Manual, Tumble Peening, and Shot Peen Forming operations.
• Manage calibration systems for equipment, Almen gauges, and quality measurement devices.
• Oversee preventive maintenance programs and equipment performance monitoring.
• Administer document control and quality records in accordance with AS9100 requirements.
• Develop and maintain operator training, qualification, and certification programs.
• Lead root cause analysis, corrective actions, and troubleshooting activities.
• Drive continuous improvement and process optimization projects.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with aerospace customers, OEMs, and industry partners.
• Serve as the primary customer and OEM technical liaison.
• Support new process qualifications and customer approvals.
• Develop process metrics and monitor operational performance.
• Travel as required for training, audits, customer meetings, and support of other company locations.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Skills

Aerospace peening

Leadership

Project management

Customer relations

Communication

Tools

CATIA

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

• Serve as the site technical authority for all shot peening processes and related quality requirements.
• Ensure compliance with NADCAP, AS9100, customer specifications, and aerospace industry requirements.
• Lead NADCAP, customer, and internal audit preparation and execution.
• Develop, review, and maintain technique sheets, work instructions, operating procedures, and process specifications.
• Provide technical oversight for Automated, Manual, Tumble Peening, and Shot Peen Forming operations.
• Manage calibration systems for equipment, Almen gauges, and quality measurement devices.
• Oversee preventive maintenance programs and equipment performance monitoring.
• Administer document control and quality records in accordance with AS9100 requirements.
• Develop and maintain operator training, qualification, and certification programs.
• Lead root cause analysis, corrective actions, and troubleshooting activities.
• Drive continuous improvement and process optimization projects.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with aerospace customers, OEMs, and industry partners.
• Serve as the primary customer and OEM technical liaison.
• Support new process qualifications and customer approvals.
• Develop process metrics and monitor operational performance.
• Travel as required for training, audits, customer meetings, and support of other company locations.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Onsite: Paramount, CA

FLSA Status: Exempt

Compensation & Benefits

• Pay Range: 90k - 120k
• Benefits Include:
  • Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
  • Employer-paid Basic Life Insurance
  • Supplemental Life Insurance
  • 401(k) with Employer Match
  • Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) program
  • 8 Paid Holidays + 1 Floating Holiday

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Serve as the site technical authority for all shot peening processes and related quality requirements.
• Ensure compliance with NADCAP, AS9100, customer specifications, and aerospace industry requirements.
• Lead NADCAP, customer, and internal audit preparation and execution.
• Develop, review, and maintain technique sheets, work instructions, operating procedures, and process specifications.
• Provide technical oversight for Automated, Manual, Tumble Peening, and Shot Peen Forming operations.
• Manage calibration systems for equipment, Almen gauges, and quality measurement devices.
• Oversee preventive maintenance programs and equipment performance monitoring.
• Administer document control and quality records in accordance with AS9100 requirements.
• Develop and maintain operator training, qualification, and certification programs.
• Lead root cause analysis, corrective actions, and troubleshooting activities.
• Drive continuous improvement and process optimization projects.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with aerospace customers, OEMs, and industry partners.
• Serve as the primary customer and OEM technical liaison.
• Support new process qualifications and customer approvals.
• Develop process metrics and monitor operational performance.
• Travel as required for training, audits, customer meetings, and support of other company locations.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications

• Related technical field, or equivalent aerospace industry experience.
• Minimum 5 years aerospace shot peening experience; 10+ years preferred.
• Hands-on experience with automated, manual, tumble peening, and shot peen forming processes.
• Demonstrated NADCAP and AS9100 experience.
• Strong understanding of shot peening theory, Almen intensity, coverage verification, media control, and process validation.
• Experience with Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Bombardier requirements preferred.
• Project management and continuous improvement experience.
• Strong leadership, communication, and customer relationship skills are important.
• Intermediate experience with Catia programs, Word, Excel and PowerPoint are essential.