Quality Engineer

SIERRA SHEET & PLATE INC; Covington (GA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

SIERRA SHEET & PLATE INC is seeking a Quality Engineer in Covington, GA to provide technical and quality oversight related to metallic materials. The role involves reviewing documentation, overseeing compliance with aerospace standards, and performing metallurgical testing.

Ideal candidates will have a Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related field and ideally 5+ years of experience in quality within the aerospace industry. Strong communication skills and knowledge of NADCAP processes are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or materials science is required.
• 5+ years of progressive quality experience preferred in aerospace metals, forging, or heat treatment.
• Strong understanding of heat treatment and metallurgical testing is a must.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical oversight related to metallic materials and special processes.
• Review metallurgical documentation and oversee compliance.
• Analyze quality trends to recommend process improvements.

Skills

Metallurgical testing

Quality system compliance

Technical communication

Root cause analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or materials science

5+ years of quality experience in aerospace

Job description

Job Location: COVINGTON, GA 30014. Position Type: Full Time. Education Level: 4 Year Degree. Travel Percentage: Negligible. Job Shift: Day. Job Category: Engineering. The Quality Engineer provides technical and quality oversight related to metallic materials and special processes within STS Metals. This position focuses on the integrity of metallurgical practices, testing, and process qualification in compliance with aerospace and defense industry standards such as AS9100, NADCAP, and customer‑specific requirements. The Quality Engineer supports the Quality and Production departments by performing reviews of metallurgical documentation, overseeing heat treatment and forging compliance, analyzing test data, and driving continuous improvement related to material performance and process reliability. This is a full‑time Exempt position.

Material Review & Specification Compliance

• Review mill certifications, heat treat records, forging documentation, and mechanical test results to ensure compliance with specifications.
• Interpret aerospace and customer material requirements, including AMS, ASTM, and other industry standards.
• Evaluate and verify compliance to purchase order requirements and drawing notes.

Metallurgical Testing & Analysis

• Oversee metallurgical evaluations such as microstructure, grain size, and cleanliness inspections.
• Interpret results from tensile, hardness, and fracture toughness testing.
• Perform or support failure investigations, including root cause analysis and corrective action implementation.

Process & Special Process Oversight

• Support qualification and monitoring of heat treatment, forging, and other special processes per NADCAP guidelines.
• Review and approve thermal processing and forging procedures to ensure alignment with customer and industry requirements.
• Lead or participate in process audits and contribute to corrective/preventive actions related to metallurgical controls.

Continuous Improvement & Technical Support

• Analyze quality trends and material performance data to recommend process improvements.
• Participate in cross‑functional teams to improve product quality and reduce nonconformances.
• Provide metallurgical guidance to production, quality, and sales teams.

Quality System Support

• Assist in maintaining compliance to AS9100 and NADCAP standards.
• Support internal and external audits, including documentation preparation and technical responses.
• Participate in FMEA, control plan development, and material review board (MRB) activities.
• Lead or participate in root cause analysis and problem‑solving initiatives.

Customer & Supplier Communication

• Communicate technical findings and metallurgical issues to customers and vendors.
• Assist in addressing metallurgical concerns, dispositioning material, and supporting quality investigations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, materials science, or a related field.
• Alternatively, 5+ years of progressive quality experience, with experience in aerospace metals, forging, or heat treatment environments, preferred.
• Strong understanding of heat treatment, forging, and metallurgical testing (tensile, hardness, grain size, etc.), desired.
• Familiarity with NADCAP special processes and AS9100/ISO 9001 quality systems desired.
• Proficiency in interpreting technical drawings and material specifications (AMS, ASTM, MIL, etc.).
• Knowledge of root cause analysis, SPC, and quality tools is preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience with titanium, nickel alloys, and stainless steels in aerospace applications is a plus.