Quality Engineer

Kratos Defense and Security Solutions; Auburn Hills (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Technical Directions Inc. seeks a Quality Engineer to support product and process quality across Engineering, Manufacturing, Test, Supply Chain and Program execution.

The role focuses on preventing defects, resolving nonconformances, and strengthening process capability through disciplined RCA, CAPA, and quality planning, reporting to the Quality Manager and collaborating cross-functionally through the product lifecycle.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, or related technical discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in quality engineering or manufacturing quality roles.
• Experience in regulated or AS9100 environments.
• Strong knowledge of quality engineering principles and problem-solving methods.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and GD&T.

Responsibilities

• Review engineering drawings, specifications, and BOMs for quality and inspection requirements.
• Develop and maintain inspection plans, control plans, and acceptance criteria.
• Provide quality engineering support to Assembly & Test operations.
• Support supplier quality activities including receiving inspection, SCARs, and QMS development.
• Participate in customer audits, reviews, and technical discussions as required.

Skills

Quality engineering principles

AS9100D knowledge

Root cause analysis

Reading GD&T drawings

Analytical skills

ITAR

DFMEA/PFMEA

Statistical analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, or related technical discipline

Tools

CMM equipment

Job description

The Quality Engineer is responsible for supporting product and process quality across Engineering, Manufacturing, Test, Supply Chain, and Program execution at Technical Directions Inc. This role focuses on preventing defects, resolving nonconformances, and strengthening process capability through disciplined root cause analysis, corrective actions, and quality planning. Reporting to the Quality Manager, the Quality Engineer works cross-functionally to ensure quality requirements are clearly defined, understood, and executed throughout the product lifecycle—from design and supplier receipt through assembly, test, and delivery.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Product & Process Quality Engineering

• Support product quality planning and execution across Engineering and Manufacturing
• Review engineering drawings, specifications, and BOMs for quality and inspection requirements
• Develop and maintain inspection plans, control plans, and acceptance criteria
• Support First Article Inspection (FAI) activities in accordance with AS9102
• Plan & perform APQP processes per AS9145
• Develop processes, procedures, & work instructions for quality and/ or manufacturing

Nonconformance, RCA & CAPA Execution

• Investigate internal, supplier, and customer nonconformances (NCRs)
• Lead or support root cause analysis using 8D, A3, DMAIC, or equivalent methods
• Develop, implement, and verify effectiveness of corrective and preventive actions (CAPA)
• Track NCR and CAPA status to closure and report trends

Manufacturing & Test Support

• Provide quality engineering support to Assembly & Test operations
• Support containment, disposition, and corrective action for shop-floor issues
• Partner with Manufacturing and Test Engineering to improve first-time-through yield
• Support process confirmation and standard work adherence
• Support equipment management and calibration programs

Supplier Quality Support

• Support supplier quality activities including receiving inspection, SCARs, and QMS development
• Participate in supplier audits and performance reviews as assigned
• Verify supplier compliance with quality requirements and documentation flow-down
• Support resolution of supplier-related quality issues

Program & Customer Quality Support

• Support Program Management with quality inputs for program reviews and risk assessments
• Participate in customer audits, reviews, and technical discussions as required
• Support customer quality issue resolution and communication
• Ensure quality data supports program delivery commitments

Data, Metrics & Continuous Improvement

• Track and analyze quality metrics including NCRs, COPQ, yield, escapes, and trends
• Support development of dashboards and reporting for leadership visibility
• Identify systemic issues and support continuous improvement initiatives
• Support Lean and Six Sigma activities related to quality improvement
• Lead Measurement System Analysis (MSA) studies in support of continuous improvement initiatives

Compliance, Documentation & Governance

• Ensure compliance with AS9100D, government, customer, and internal QMS procedures
• Maintain accurate quality records and documentation
• Support internal and external audits as required
• Ensure quality data is accurate, traceable, and audit-ready

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

• No direct people management responsibility
• Provides technical guidance and quality leadership through influence
• Works closely with Inspectors, Manufacturing, Engineering, and Supply Chain

Experience And Skills

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Required

• Strong knowledge of quality engineering principles and problem‑solving methods
• Working knowledge of AS9100D and aerospace quality requirements
• Experience with root cause analysis, CAPA, and inspection planning
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and specifications (GD&T)
• Strong analytical, communication, and documentation skills
• Ability to manage confidential and export‑controlled information (ITAR)
• Familiarity with DFMEA, PFMEA, and control plan development
• Experience with statistical analysis and process capability tools

Preferred

• Experience in aerospace, defense, propulsion, or regulated manufacturing environments
• ASQ certifications (CQE/CQA/CSSBB) or equivalent
• Gauge design

Required

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, or related technical discipline
• 5+ years of experience in quality engineering or manufacturing quality roles
• Experience supporting regulated or AS9100 environments

Preferred

• Experience supporting government or defense programs
• Experience working in high‑mix, low‑volume manufacturing environments
• Dimensional inspections using CMM equipment in accordance with inspection plans and drawings
• Perform manual inspections using precision measurement tools (calipers, micrometers, height gauges, indicators)

WORK ENVIRONMENT / PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Office, manufacturing, and test environments
• Frequent presence on the shop floor
• Exposure to noise, equipment, and hazardous