Quality Engineer

The Structures Company, LLC; Mesa (AZ); On-site; USD 110,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus potential

Priority access via Tier 1 supplier

Job summary

The Structures Company is seeking a manufacturing quality SME to support spacecraft and aircraft fabrication, assembly, and integration. You will lead RCCA/CAPA, NCR dispositioning, and FAI activities while ensuring MWIs meet quality standards.

Ideal candidates hold 8+ years in aerospace QA with GD&T expertise, CMM/metrology experience, and a track record of cross-functional collaboration to enable production readiness on complex aerospace components.

Qualifications

• Must have 8+ years of manufacturing quality engineering experience in aerospace.
• Experience with First Article Inspections (FAIs) per AS9102.
• Experience reviewing MWIs and tooling documentation.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the manufacturing quality SME for spacecraft and aircraft fabrication, assembly, and integration.
• Lead RCCA, CAPA, and NCR processes and related investigations.
• Review MWIs to ensure compliance with processes and quality standards.
• Conduct and oversee FAIs in accordance with AS9102 requirements.
• Perform GD&T validation and tolerance analyses on drawings, ensuring manufacturability.
• Collaborate with design engineering to enable production readiness of components.

Skills

Composite fabrication

Metallic manufacturing

GD&T ASME Y14.5

FAI (AS9102)

RCCA & CAPA

MRB decision-making

NCR dispositioning

Leadership

CMM/metrology experience

Manufacturing leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Aerospace/Manufacturing Engineering

Tools

CMMs

Metrology systems

Job description

We are a national aerospace and defense staffing agency seeking highly qualified candidates for a position with a top-tier client.

• Job Type: Contract (Long Term)
• Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision (Cigna)
• Perks: Bonus potential + Priority access via Tier 1 supplier
• Openings Nationwide: Thousands of opportunities across the U.S.

Summary:

• Serves as the manufacturing quality Subject Matter Expert (SME) for composite and metallic part fabrication, assembly, and integration of spacecraft and aircraft.
• Performs root cause and corrective action (RCCA) for nonconformances and leads investigations to implement effective corrective and preventive actions.
• Leads and manages the Non-Conformance (NCR) process including defect evaluation, engineering collaboration, and accurate dispositioning (use-as-is, rework, repair, scrap).
• Reviews manufacturing work instructions (MWIs) to ensure compliance to processes, specifications, and quality standards.
• Conducts and oversees First Article Inspections (FAIs) in accordance with AS9102 and verifies compliance with all requirements.
• Performs detailed engineering drawing reviews for manufacturability, tolerance stack-ups, and Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) accuracy.
• Applies expert-level GD&T (ASME Y14.5) to validate design intent and dimensional requirements.
• Develops and implements in-process inspection criteria, test plans, and quality control checkpoints for spacecraft assembly.
• Reviews and approves MWIs, inspection plans, and tooling documentation from a quality perspective.
• Collaborates with design engineering to ensure manufacturability and production readiness of spacecraft and aircraft components.

Requirements:

• Must be a U.S. Person (as defined by ITAR).
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field.
• 8+ years of manufacturing quality engineering experience in aerospace, with significant assembly experience in spacecraft or aircraft.
• SME-level expertise in composite fabrication and metallic manufacturing processes.
• Proven experience with First Article Inspections (FAIs) in accordance with AS9102.
• Experience reviewing and approving Manufacturing Work Instructions (MWIs) and tooling documentation.
• Strong working knowledge and application of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) per ASME Y14.5.
• Extensive experience in NCR dispositioning and Material Review Board (MRB) decision-making.
• Leadership experience in Root Cause and Corrective Action (RCCA), CAPA, and CAB processes.
• Preferred: Spacecraft manufacturing or launch vehicle integration experience, Lean Six Sigma Green or Black Belt certification, and hands-on experience with CMMs and metrology systems.

About Us:

The Structures Company is a premier national aerospace and defense staffing agency specializing in contract, contract-to-hire, and direct hire placements. We deliver expert workforce solutions across engineering, IT, production, maintenance, and support roles. As trusted partners to leading aerospace and defense OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers, we connect professionals with career opportunities to grow and excel in aviation, aerospace, and defense.

Eligibility Requirements:

Must be a U.S. Person (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual under 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3)) to comply with ITAR regulations.