Quality Engineer

Kratos Unmanned Systems; Auburn Hills (MI); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Kratos Unmanned Systems is seeking a Quality Engineer to support product and process quality across engineering, manufacturing, test, supply chain, and program execution. The role focuses on preventing defects and driving root cause analysis and CAPA.

Reporting to the Quality Manager, you will define quality requirements, review drawings and BOMs, develop inspection and control plans, support AS9102 FAI and AS9145 APQP, and promote continuous improvement across the lifecycle from design to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related technical discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in quality engineering or manufacturing quality roles.
• Experience supporting regulated or AS9100 environments.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and specifications (GD&T).

Responsibilities

• Support product and process quality engineering across Engineering, Manufacturing, Test, Supply Chain, and Programs.
• 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 per AS9102; APQP per AS9145.
• Lead or support CAPA and root cause analysis; track NCRs to closure.

Skills

Quality engineering

AS9100D

Root cause analysis

CAPA

GD&T

Statistical analysis

Documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

CMM equipment

Calipers

Micrometers

Job description

GENERAL JOB SUMMARY

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 ifrom 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 input 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

Keyword: Six Sigma, ITAR, GD&T, root cause analysis, CAPA, AS9100D, supplier quality, FAI AS9102, Lean, quality engineering, APQP AS9145, inspection plans, nonconformance, NCR, process capability

Required Experience:

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 certification (CQE/CQA/CSSBB) or equivalent
• Gauge design

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Required

• Bacheloris 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 materials
• Ability to stand, walk, and perform inspections for extended periods
• May be required to lift materials, components, or assemblies up to 50 lbs
• May require extended hours during investigations or program milestones

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

• 0i15% as required to support suppliers, audits, customer visits, or other Kratos locations

THE ABOVE STATEMENTS ARE INTENDED TO DESCRIBE THE GENERAL NATURE AND LEVEL OF WORK BEING PERFORMED BY INDIVIDUALS ASSIGNED TO THIS CLASSIFICATION. THEY ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE CONSTRUED AS AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST OF ALL RESPONSIBILITIES, DUTIES AND SKILLS REQUIRED OF PERSONNEL SO CLASSIFIED.

A REVIEW OF THIS CLASSIFICATION HAS EXCLUDED THE MARGINAL FUNCTIONS OF THE CLASSIFICATION THAT ARE INCIDENTAL TO THE PERFORMANCE OF FUNDAMENTAL JOB JUTIES. ALL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES ARE ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND REQUIREMENTS AND ARE SUBJECT TO POSSIBLE MODIFICATION TO REASONABLY ACCOMMODATE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES TO PERFORM THIS JOB PROFICIENTLY. THE REQUIREMENTS LISTED IN THIS DOCUMENT ARE THE MINIMUM LEVELS OF KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS OR ABILITIES.

EEO/M/F/D/V

From: Kratos Defense