Quality Engineer

Spectrum Laser & Technologies Inc.; Colorado Springs (CO); On-site; USD 80,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental & vision

401(k) with company match

Paid holidays

Paid time off

Sick days

Job summary

Spectrum AMT, based in Colorado Springs, seeks a Quality Engineer to own product quality from floor to customer. You will interface with customers and agencies, translate requirements into actionable manufacturing instructions, and drive continuous improvement across the quality system.

You will lead RCAs, apply lean and Six Sigma methods, and mentor engineers while ensuring compliance with AS9100/ISO 9001, IPC standards, and relevant military specifications.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required or equivalent experience.
• 8+ years of quality engineering in high-reliability manufacturing preferred.
• Strong communication and interface skills with customers and auditors.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary quality interface for customers and government agencies (DCMA, DLA, Space agencies); coordinate audits and inspections.
• Translate customer POs, SOWs, quality clauses, and drawings into actionable work instructions on the production floor.
• Lead RCCA investigations and use 5-Why, fishbone, and Pareto analysis to drive improvements.
• Maintain QMS in compliance with AS9100 and ISO 9001; ensure IPC/ESD requirements and certifications are met.
• Drive KPI performance, reduce returns, and improve on-time delivery; mentor engineering staff.

Skills

Quality interface

AS9100 knowledge

ISO 9001 knowledge

Lean manufacturing

6S/5-Why/ SPC

Customer liaison

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Excel

Word

PowerPoint

ERP/MRP systems

Job description

QUALITY ENGINEER Spectrum AMT

Colorado Springs, CO

DEPARTMENT Quality REPORTS TO Director of Manufacturing and Quality STATUS Full-Time | On-Site | Immediate Opening

ABOUT THE ROLE

Spectrum AMT builds electronics that go to orbit, protect warfighters, and help patients. Quality isn’t a department here. It’s the foundation on which everything else stands. We’re looking for a Quality Engineer who shares a similar philosophy — along with expertise, rigor, and ownership. In this role, you’ll serve as a critical interface between our production floor, our customers, and some of the most demanding quality standards in the industry. You’ll own processes, drive improvements, and represent Spectrum’s standards to unique agencies and enterprises, as well as important defense prime contractors. This is a high-visibility position with real accountability and real impact.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• CUSTOMER & AGENCY INTERFACE – Serve as the primary quality interface for assigned customers and government agencies (DCMA, DLA, Space agencies etc.), coordinating audits, inspections, and requirements flow-down.
• – Translate customer purchase orders, SOWs, quality clauses, and drawing notes into actionable work instructions and procedures on the production floor.
• – Manage supplier and customer scorecards, developing and executing Continuous Improvement Plans (CIPs) to meet performance expectations on both ends.
• QUALITY SYSTEMS & COMPLIANCE – Maintain and update the Quality Management System (QMS) in compliance with AS9100 and ISO 9001 (current revisions).
• – Ensure compliance with IPC standards, ESD protocols, and industry-specific quality certifications.
• – Support certification of personnel to J-STD-001, NASA Space Addendum, and IPC/WHMA-A-620 for hi-rel and commercial assembly.
• ROOT CAUSE & CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT – Lead root cause corrective action (RCCA) investigations, consolidating findings into clear, defensible reports for customers and leadership.
• – Monitor non-conformance trends and process data; apply SPC, Pareto analysis, 5-Why, and fishbone methodologies to drive measurable improvement.
• – Drive KPI performance, including the reduction of returns and the achievement of on-time delivery (OTD) targets.
• – Apply lean manufacturing and 6S methodology to identify waste, reduce variation, and improve production quality.
• NEW PRODUCT INTRODUCTION & BUSINESS SUPPORT – Support new product introduction (NPI) by reviewing POs, SOWs, and drawings to ensure manufacturing readiness from a quality standpoint.
• – Support new business activities, including quote reviews, PO intake, and drawing analysis as required.
• LEADERSHIP & DEVELOPMENT – Mentor and train engineers, technicians, and leads on quality standards, inspection techniques, and improvement tools.
• – Assume quality supervisory responsibilities as needed in support of the Quality Manager/Director, including performance appraisals, training, and issue resolution.
• – Partner directly with senior leadership on strategies for facility improvements and company growth.

WHAT YOU BRING

• 8+ years of quality engineering experience in a high-reliability manufacturing environment (aerospace, defense, medical, or space strongly preferred); a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field may substitute for up to 5 years of experience.
• – Deep working knowledge of AS9100, ISO 9001, IPC standards, ESD protocols, and relevant military specifications.
• – Hands-on experience with lean manufacturing, 6S methodology, SPC, and quality improvement tools.
• – Demonstrated ability to interface professionally and credibly with customers, government agencies, and external auditors.
• – Strong written and verbal communication skills — you can translate complex technical findings in o clear, concise reports.
• – Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint); familiarity with ERP/MRP systems.
• – ASQ certification preferred.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• SALARY – $80,000 — $95,000 annually, commensurate with experience.
• HEALTH & SUPPLEMENTAL INSURANCE – Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, long-term disability, and supplemental coverage for employees and dependents.
• – Spectrum covers 75% of employee premiums and 50% of spouse/dependent premiums.
• – Coverage becomes effective on the first of the month following a 60-day waiting period.
• RETIREMENT & PAID TIME OFF – 401(k) with 100% company match on employee contributions up to 3% of gross wages. Immediate vesting. Eligible after 90 days of employment.
• – 10 paid holidays per year.
• – 10 days of accrued PTO per year during the first five years of employment, accrued bi-weekly.
• – 6 paid sick days per year, available after the 90-day probationary period.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This is a full-time, on-site role at our Colorado Springs facility. The work environment is a professional electronics manufacturing floor — expect a mix of desk work and floor engagement, with frequent standing, walking, and hands-on collaboration with production and inspection teams.

WHY SPECTRUM

For nearly 30 years, Spectrum has built a reputation for doing things right the first time, every time. Our work ends up in satellites, defense systems, and medical devices that cannot fail. We take that seriously, and we look for people who do too. If precision, accountability, and mission-critical work resonate with you, you’ll fit in well here.