Quality Engineer

Winchester Interconnect; Garden Grove (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Winchester Interconnect in Garden Grove, CA, seeks a Quality Engineer to own the AS9100 QMS and drive root cause investigations, corrective actions, and continuous improvement.

You will serve as the primary technical interface for customers on quality matters, manage CARs, and lead internal audits to meet aerospace standards. This role reports to the Operations Manager and collaborates across engineering and production.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, or Industrial) or a related technical field.
• 3-5+ years of Quality Engineering experience in AS9100 or ISO 13485 manufacturing.
• Experience leading RCCA investigations using 8D, 5-Why, or similar methods.
• Experience leading internal audits and representing the company to customers/3rd-party audits.
• Experience leading a Material Review Board (MRB) for non-conforming material.
• AS9102 First Article Inspection (FAI) requirements expertise.
• Ability to read and interpret complex engineering drawings and specs.
• IPC/WHMA-A-620 and/or J-STD-001 certification strongly preferred; ASQ CQE/CQA a plus.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills in customer-facing roles.

Responsibilities

• Lead RCCA and corrective action processes.
• Serve as primary quality interface for customers on quality matters.
• Lead internal audits per AS9100 and manage audit findings log.
• Head MRB for non-conforming materials disposition.
• Own AS9102 FAI process documentation and compliance.
• Collaborate with Engineering on plots and work instructions.
• Drive Lean/Kaizen projects to reduce scrap and waste.
• Lead workmanship trainings (IPC-620, J-STD, FOD) as required.
• Interpret customer technical requirements and ensure deployment.
• Support test program interpretation and validation.
• Ensure compliance with all company policies and procedures.

Skills

RCCA investigations (8D/5-Why)

Internal audits

MRB leadership

AS9102 FAI

Engineering drawings interpretation

IPC/WHMA-A-620

J-STD-001

ASQ CQE/CQA

Customer-facing communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, or Industrial) or related technical field

Job description

At Winchester Interconnect, we always do the right thing, the right way.

Winchester Interconnect is committed to inspiring the most innovative teams. We foster a dynamic, inclusive environment that thrives on collaboration and continuous growth. We hire exceptional people, celebrate wins, empower employee growth, and provide opportunities to thrive. Winchester is where potential transforms into purpose, and every team member plays a vital role in shaping our shared success.

Position Summary

As our Quality Engineer, you will be the technical expert for our AS9100 Quality Management System (QMS). You will be responsible for ensuring product and process compliance, leading Root Cause and Corrective Action (RCCA) investigations, and driving continuous improvement.

You will serve as a primary technical interface for our customers on all quality matters, manage our corrective action (CAR) system, and lead our internal audit program to ensure we meet the rigorous quality expectations of the aerospace and defense industry.

This position reports to the Operations Manager.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, or Industrial) or a related technical field.
• Must be a U.S. Person (U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident) due to ITAR regulations.
• 3-5+ years of Quality Engineering experience in an AS9100 (aerospace) or ISO 13485 (medical) manufacturing environment.
• Proven experience leading Root Cause and Corrective Action (RCCA) investigations using 8D, 5-Why, or similar methodologies.
• Direct experience leading an internal audit program and representing a company during customer/3rd-party audits.
• Experience leading a Material Review Board (MRB) for the disposition of non-conforming material.
• Expertise in AS9102 First Article Inspection (FAI) requirements.
• Must be able to read and interpret complex engineering drawings and technical specifications.
• IPC/WHMA-A-620 and/or J-STD-001 certification is strongly preferred.
• ASQ certification (e.g., CQE, CQA) is a significant advantage.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with experience in a customer-facing role.

Our core values - Accountability, Collaboration, and Empowerment (ACE) - are the foundation of how we operate and drive success. You will take ownership of your contributions, collaborate with a team that gets stuff done, and be empowered to innovate and pursue bold initiatives that drive our business forward.

Are You Our Next ACE?

• Lead the site's Root Cause and Corrective Action (RCCA) process, responding to internal and customer-issued Corrective Action Requests (CARs).
• Serve as the primary Quality technical interface for customers, managing all quality-related communications and representing Winchester during customer audits.
• Lead the internal audit program per AS9100 and QMS requirements and manage the audit finding/corrective action log.
• Lead the Material Review Board (MRB), facilitating the timely disposition of non-conforming materials.
• Own and manage the AS9102 First Article Inspection (FAI) process, ensuring all documentation is accurate and complete.
• Partner with Engineering to ensure production plots (form boards) and work instructions properly define all quality and workmanship requirements.
• Champion continuous improvement (Lean/Kaizen) projects to reduce scrap, rework, and waste.
• Conduct and/or lead workmanship trainings (e.g., IPC-620, J-STD, FOD Prevention) as required.
• Interpret and flow down customer technical requirements (i.e., workmanship specifications) to the organization.
• Partner with Engineering to interpret and validate test programs and requirements.
• Comply with all company policies and procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Systems You’ll Use

• Google Workspace
• ADP / Syspro / QMS / Smartviews / Salesforce / Planful / AwardCo

Pay Transparency

Winchester Interconnect Corporation is committed to pay transparency. The pay range for this position is $80,000 - $100,000 per year plus 10% AIP. Exact salary will be contingent upon your experience, education, skills, and any other factors Winchester Interconnect Corporation considers relevant to the hiring decision.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities. In addition to federal law requirements, Winchester Interconnect complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.

Winchester Interconnect expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status.