Quality Engineer

Onboard Systems International; Vancouver (WA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) with match

GPU program

Job summary

Onboard Systems Hoist & Winch in Vancouver, WA is seeking a Quality Engineer to lead quality improvement across the product and supplier lifecycle for aerospace lifting, cargo-hook, and weighing systems.

The role focuses on CAPA/FRACAS, root-cause analysis, supplier qualification, and risk-based quality management in a high-stakes aerospace environment. Strong AS9100 knowledge and CQE preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related technical field; equivalent education and substantial demonstrated quality experience considered.
• 5-8+ years aerospace/manufacturing quality experience.
• Experience leading nonconformance investigations, root-cause analysis, corrective actions, and cross-functional process improvements.
• ASQ CQE preferred; CSQP or CQA desirable.
• Working knowledge of AS9100, AS9102 and supplier quality management practices.

Responsibilities

• Contain, document, investigate nonconforming product and route for disposition.
• Own CAPA and FRACAS with root-cause verification.
• Establish risk-based supplier quality requirements and surveillance.
• Lead supplier corrective actions and supplier development.
• Produce quality metrics and drive reduction of nonconformances.
• Support inspection/test planning and change control for products.
• Apply SPC, MSA, and risk tools to improve conformance.
• Provide technical quality leadership across functions.

Skills

CAPA & FRACAS

Root-cause analysis

SPC & MSA

Supplier quality

Quality audits

AS9100 knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

5-8+ years aerospace quality experience

ASQ CQE preferred

CSQP/CQA desirable

Tools

AS9100 knowledge

Job description

Description

Signia Aerospace is a global, integrated provider of high-performance systems and specialized components for the aerospace industry. Signia designs, manufactures, and services a wide range of products, that include mission equipment, thermal management systems, engine technology, and propellers. The Signia brands are leaders in their respective markets and provide a compelling value proposition to both aerospace and defense OEMs and end-users.

Onboard Systems Hoist & Winch, located in Anaheim, CA is one of the world’s leading providers of Search & Rescue (SAR) and Human External Cargo (HEC) advanced mission equipment for civil, commercial, and military helicopters.

Position Overview

Location: Vancouver, WA (Onsite)

Schedule: Monday - Friday

Pay: $90,000 - $125,000 per year

The Quality Engineer leads technical quality improvement and assurance activities throughout the product and supplier lifecycle. Primary accountability includes nonconforming material control, corrective and preventive action (CAPA), Failure Reporting, Analysis, and Corrective Action System (FRACAS) administration, root-cause investigations, and verification of corrective-action effectiveness. In partnership with the Buyer and Director of Supply Chain, this position establishes and drives a formal, risk-based supplier quality management program, from qualification and surveillance through supplier corrective action and development. The role supports product development, quality planning, manufacturing process capability, audits, and continuous improvement to protect the performance and reliability of aerospace lifting, cargo-hook, and weighing systems.

What You’ll Do

• Leads timely containment, documentation, investigation, and disposition routing of nonconforming product; ensures only authorized personnel approve concessions, rework, or repair.
• Owns effective CAPA and FRACAS processes, including evidence-based root-cause analysis, corrective actions, effectiveness verification, recurrence monitoring, and closure.
• Establishes risk-based supplier quality requirements, qualification criteria, supplier classification, ongoing performance monitoring, and planned supplier surveillance.
• Leads supplier corrective-action requests, escape containment, problem solving, supplier development, and verification of sustained corrective-action effectiveness.
• Produces and reviews quality and supplier performance metrics, identifies adverse trends, and leads cross-functional reduction of repeat nonconformances and escapes.
• Supports inspection and acceptance-test planning, first articles, product and process changes, configuration control, and risk mitigation for critical characteristics.
• Applies statistical methods, measurement system analysis, process capability, and risk tools to improve product conformance and manufacturing control.
• Provides technical quality leadership for manufacturing, Engineering, Supply Chain, customer issues, QMS audits, and continuous-improvement initiatives.

Who You Are

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, engineering technology, manufacturing, industrial technology, or a related technical field preferred; equivalent education and substantial demonstrated quality experience considered.
• Typically requires 5-8 or more years of aerospace or regulated manufacturing quality, manufacturing engineering, supplier quality, or related technical experience.
• Demonstrated success leading nonconformance investigations, root-cause analysis, corrective actions, and cross-functional process improvements required.
• ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) strongly preferred, with a development plan toward certification when eligible; Certified Supplier Quality Professional (CSQP) or Certified Quality Auditor (CQA) desirable.
• Working knowledge of AS9100, applicable customer and regulatory requirements, AS9102 first-article requirements, and supplier quality management practices preferred.

Technical Competencies

• Strong knowledge of aerospace quality management systems, configuration and traceability controls, risk-based thinking, and applicable requirements such as AS9100 and AS9102.
• Expertise in nonconformance and material review processes, containment, product risk evaluation, segregation, traceability, and disposition approvals within delegated authority.
• Ability to lead structured root-cause investigations using 5 Whys, cause-and-effect diagrams, 8D, fault-tree methods, and evidence-based cause verification.
• Ability to administer CAPA with correction, systemic corrective action, assigned ownership, implementation milestones, effectiveness checks, and recurrence prevention.
• Ability to administer FRACAS, including failure reporting, classification, trend analysis, engineering investigation, corrective actions, and verified closure.
• Ability to establish supplier approval criteria, risk and criticality classifications, initial evaluations, audit plans, and periodic re-evaluation methods.
• Ability to develop supplier scorecards and analyze quality escapes, defect rates, delivery trends, audit findings, and supplier corrective-action responsiveness.
• Ability to issue and manage supplier corrective-action requests (SCARs), verify containment and root cause, and confirm sustained effectiveness.
• Working knowledge of supplier flow-down requirements, special-process control, purchasing documents, change notification, counterfeit-part prevention, and traceability.
• Ability to coordinate supplier on-site or remote audits, source inspections, process reviews, and development plans with Purchasing and the Director of Supply Chain.
• Ability to plan and review first-article inspections, inspection/test strategies, quality plans, and control of key or critical product characteristics.
• Strong ability to use SPC, Pareto analysis, process capability, measurement system analysis (including gage R&R), and statistical trends to prioritize improvements.
• Ability to lead or support PFMEA, risk assessments, control plans, validation planning, and manufacturing process improvement for new or revised designs.
• Ability to assess engineering changes, nonconforming material risks, supplier deviations, and process escapes for potential customer or airworthiness impact.
• Ability to partner with the Quality Personnel on inspection methods, calibration concerns, testing, data integrity, and objective quality evidence.
• Ability to create controlled procedures, reports, action plans, management-review inputs, and audit-ready records using enterprise and quality systems.
• Strong facilitation, project management, technical writing, and communication skills across Quality, Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, suppliers, and customers.

What’s In It for You

• Benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life, disability
• Paid time off and holidays
• 401(k) plan with employer contribution matching
• In addition to offering competitive wages and benefits, Onboard Systems also offers the opportunity to increase your future earnings tied to growth in company performance. We recognize employee contributions toward growing the business through our unique Growth Participation Unit program (GPU). GPUs are tied directly to company growth and reward all eligible employees with cash when the business grows over time.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or other legally protected status