NPI Quality Engineer

PDW; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive BCBS medical coverage

401(k) with company match

On-site fitness center

Job summary

Performance Drone Works (PDW) in Huntsville is searching for an NPI Quality Engineer. This role ensures all new products meet rigorous reliability, manufacturability, and performance standards. The job requires collaboration with multiple departments to navigate the transition from design to production, maintaining uncompromising quality.

The ideal candidate will have a relevant Bachelor's degree and over 4 years of experience in quality engineering, especially in environments like aerospace or defense. Comprehensive benefits include medical coverage, 401(k) matching, and paid parental leave.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of Quality Engineering experience in relevant fields.
• Proficiency in quality management systems like AS9100, ISO 9001.
• Familiarity with statistical process control and quality metrics.

Responsibilities

• Own quality deliverables for new product introductions.
• Partner with Engineering to integrate quality into schedules.
• Lead investigations for prototype and pilot build issues.

Skills

Quality Engineering experience

Communication skills

Collaboration skills

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Manufacturing, or Quality Engineering

Job description

Performance Drone Works (PDW) is building the next generation of tactical robotic systems used across defense, national security, and public safety missions. We are building a new center of engineering excellence to design our new category of tactical robotic systems and the industrial capacity to deliver them, bringing decisive airpower into the hands of every operator. We are not here to make promises; we are here to deliver real systems with real capabilities for real missions.

You will join a team of operators, engineers, and builders who solve hard problems with humility and focus. We design and produce multi‑mission aerial systems that operators trust to perform in real‑world conditions, reliably, repeatedly, and at scale. Our approach is grounded in operator‑centered design, rapid iteration from field use, and U.S.‑based manufacturing. We operate by a clear set of values: Mission First, Aim Farther, Own It, Win Together. This is how we build advantage and how we help protect our service members, our communities, and our country.

Now, we’re entering a new phase of growth and are looking for an NPI Quality Engineer to join our team. This role ensures that every new product launched meets PDW’s rigorous standards for reliability, manufacturability, and mission performance. Working cross‑functionally with Engineering, Supply Chain, and Program Management, the NPI Quality Engineer will be instrumental in transitioning designs into production while maintaining uncompromising quality standards.

What You'll Do

• Own quality deliverables for new product introductions from prototype through production ramp, ensuring each build phase meets PDW's standards for reliability, manufacturability, and mission readiness.
• Partner with Engineering and Program Management to integrate quality milestones into the NPI schedule and communicate readiness, risks, and mitigation plans to key stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain control plans, inspection criteria, and test procedures for new assemblies, production processes, and critical‑to‑quality characteristics.
• Support Engineering Change Requests and Engineering Change Orders (ECRs/ECOs) with clear assessment of quality, reliability, traceability, and compliance impacts.
• Lead root cause and corrective action (RCCA) investigations for prototype and pilot build issues, driving containment, corrective action, and prevention of recurrence.
• Collaborate with Design Engineering and Manufacturing Engineering to incorporate design‑for‑quality, design‑for‑manufacturing, and design‑for‑assembly principles into new products.
• Partner with Supplier Quality Engineering and Supply Chain to qualify new suppliers and verify that incoming materials and components meet PDW quality requirements.
• Support the transition from development to production by validating process readiness, operator training, tooling, equipment qualification, and build documentation.
• Identify and execute process improvements that improve yield, reduce rework and scrap, and strengthen product reliability across pilot and production builds.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Manufacturing, Quality Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 4+ years of Quality Engineering experience, preferably supporting new product introduction, complex assembly manufacturing, aerospace, defense, or mission‑critical systems.
• Working knowledge of APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, control plans, RCCA, and other structured quality planning and problem‑solving methodologies.
• Experience supporting ECR/ECO processes, process validation, supplier qualification, and quality requirements flow‑down.
• Familiarity with AS9100, ISO 9001, or comparable quality management system requirements.
• Proficiency with statistical process control (SPC), quality metrics, data analysis, and data‑driven continuous improvement.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across Engineering, Supply Chain, Production, Program Management, and Quality teams.
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast‑paced, iterative environment with shifting priorities, aggressive schedules, and high accountability for results.

Core Competencies

• NPI execution: Demonstrated ability to support disciplined, on‑time transitions from prototype to production while minimizing quality escapes.
• Quality performance: Proven ability to reduce defects, improve yield, and drive corrective action across pilot and production builds.
• Cross‑functional leadership: Ability to align Engineering, Supply Chain, Program Management, Production, and Quality teams around launch readiness and mission performance.

Preferred

• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or higher certification.
• Experience supporting unmanned systems, aerospace, defense, or other regulated product manufacturing environments.
• Working knowledge of ITAR requirements, supplier quality expectations, and compliance frameworks relevant to defense manufacturing.

Physical Requirements

Ability to sit, stand, bend, reach, climb, and move about regularly throughout the day and lift / carry up to 25 pounds. Must have manual dexterity to operate standard office equipment as well as manual inspection hand tools. Must have acute vision, including close, distance, color, and peripheral vision. Vision testing may be required.

Work Environment

This position typically operates in a standard office setting and manufacturing environment. This role requires use of standard office equipment and may involve exposure to equipment, tools, machinery, hazardous chemicals, or materials relevant to the role. This position may have exposure to outdoor weather conditions, noise, and non‑climate‑controlled environments. May require the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) depending on the environment. This is a fast‑paced work environment and requires cross departmental collaboration with independent and team‑based responsibilities. Standard work hours for this position are 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM with occasional overtime as operational needs demand.

ITAR Requirement

In compliance with International Traffic of Arms Regulations (ITAR), candidates must be U.S. Citizens, U.S. Permanent Residents (Green Card holders) or individuals granted asylee/refugee status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).

Compensation And Benefit

• Comprehensive BCBS medical, dental, and vision coverage; 80% sponsored by the company.
• Safe Harbor 401(k) with company match.
• Paid Parental Leave.
• Competitive salary, generous paid time off (PTO), and flexible leave options.
• On‑site fitness center.

EEO Statement

PDW is an equal‑opportunity employer that upholds all federal and state non‑discrimination laws. We ensure a fair and unbiased evaluation for employment for all qualified candidates regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, medical condition, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.