Quality Engineer - Aerospace Engineering

Sonaca North America; Vista (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with company match

Competitive wages

Paid holidays

Paid time off

Medical, dental, vision, life, and AD

Short-term disability

Long-term disability

Employee assistance program

Wellness program

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Sonaca North America is seeking a Quality Engineer to interpret customer requirements, review drawings and data, and ensure QMS compliance. You will support audits, develop QA plans, and lead continuous improvement initiatives in a high‑quality aerospace environment.

The role requires a Bachelor's in engineering/quality with aerospace experience, auditing skills, and proficiency in MS Office and PLM/ERP tools. US citizenship is preferred, and the position is in Vista, CA.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering/quality/science with 3–5 years in aerospace quality.
• Auditing experience, preferably AS9000/AS9100.
• Experience in root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and enterprise applications.
• US Citizenship.
• ASQ Quality Engineering knowledge preferred.

Responsibilities

• Identify and communicate Customer contractual requirements.
• Interface with the Customer for quality activities.
• Support customer or industry quality audits or certifications.
• Create Quality Assurance Program Plans as applicable.
• Update procedures and work instructions to meet customer requirements.
• Conduct process and product audits for quality compliance.
• Participate in design reviews and IPT support as required.
• Create inspection plans including FAI for manufacturing operations.
• Train personnel on inspection criteria and process improvements.
• Lead team-based corrective action and continuous improvement efforts.
• Utilize SPC tools to analyze process capability and performance.

Skills

Auditing

Root cause analysis

SPC / statistics

Customer interface

Quality systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering/quality/science

AS9000/AS9100 Lead Auditor certification preferred

ASQ Quality Engineering certification preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

ERP/MRP systems

Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) tools

CAD systems

Model Based Definition (MBD)

Job description

Title: Quality Engineer - Aerospace Engineering

Location: Vista, CA

Position Type: Full time

Requisition ID: R0015286

WHO ARE WE

Sonaca North America is driven by a passion for innovation and a commitment to excellence. As a leading provider of aerospace and defense solutions, we are dedicated to making air and space travel safe and sustainable. We have 13 locations across North America and our engineering expertise and operational excellence set us apart from the competition.

Since the beginning in 1948, we have a proven track record of delivering high-quality products and services that are reliable, safe, and efficient. Our team of experts is dedicated to staying ahead of the curve in the aerospace and defense industry, utilizing the latest technologies and processes to ensure that we deliver the best possible solutions to our customers.

POSITION SUMMARY

We are currently seeking a Quality Engineer (QE). The QE responsible for interpreting Customer contract requirements, engineering drawings & data sets, specifications, and other technical information to ensure compliance and proper implementation in the Quality Management System (QMS). The role of the QE spans the entire scope of the QMS, from contact/proposal review through final delivery and documentation of quality acceptance.

In all actions, the QE will support Strategy, Quality Policy, and Values by supporting our commitment to total customer satisfaction, quality products and services, and employee development.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

The essential duties and responsibilities of the QE will vary depending upon the assignment within a particular operation and manufacturing location at Sonaca North America. The following list represents the key activities typical of this role:

• Identify and communicate Customer contractual requirements
• Provide interface to the Customer for quality related activities
• Host and provide support for customer or industry quality audit or certification activities
• Create Quality Assurance Program Plans, as applicable
• Update and maintain procedures and work instructions to ensure compliance with Customer requirements
• Conduct process and product audits in support of quality compliance
• Participate in design review, design verification, and Integrated Product Team (IPT) support, as required
• Create inspection plans, and methods for the manufacturing operations, including inspection equipment and tools necessary to provide efficient inspection processes. This would include the creation of First Article Inspection (FAI) plans, as required.
• Assist and train personnel in procedures and processes establishing and documenting inspection criteria and process improvements including process auditing
• Participate in and lead team based corrective action and continuous improvement efforts related to continuous quality improvement
• Utilize qualitative and statistical methods and tools to collect, summarize, analyze, interpret and communicate process capability and performance. This would include the use of key statistical process control (SPC) tools.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCES

• Bachelor's degree from four-year College or University with major course work in engineering, quality, or science preferred along with 3-5 years Quality Engineering experience in the aerospace industry. Equivalent combination of education and experience will be accepted.
• Knowledge of the Aerospace industry is preferred.
• Inspection of detail parts, tooling and assemblies required. Aerospace inspection experience and knowledge of computer aided design systems and digital product definition o5r model based definition objects is preferred.
• Auditing experience required, preferably to AS9000/AS9100. Lead Auditor certification for AS9000/AS9100 preferred.
• Experience in performing root cause analysis and corrective action development.
• Excellent computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite and the ability to use enterprise applications (e.g., material resource planning, product lifecycle management) and a variety of special software applications on a daily basis.
• Certification to the Body of Knowledge for ASQ Quality Engineering preferred.
• US Citizenship.

WHY CHOOSE SONACA NORTH AMERICA?

We take care of our people.

• 401(k) retirement savings plan with a percentage company-match contribution
• Competitive wages
• Paid holidays
• Paid time off
• Medical, dental, vision, life, and accidental insurance
• Short-term disability
• Long-term disability
• Employee assistance plan — for access to counseling, consulting and other community resources
• Wellness program
• Tuition assistance

Subject to eligibility, terms, and conditions

Pay Range - $85,000-$95,000 annually

Sonaca North America is an equal employment opportunity employer. Consistent with applicable law, Sonaca North America provides access and opportunities to those with disabilities. This includes providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans who seek to access the company's online application system. If an applicant is unable to fully access the online application system, Sonaca North America will provide a reasonable accommodation. Applicants with disabilities may contact us at 636-916-2400 for assistance accessing the on-line application system. Callers should have a detailed description of the requested accommodation, their name and preferred method of contact ready for Sonaca North America's Human Resources Department. Sonaca North America will make every effort to respond within two (2) business days. This phone number is not for the general submission of application materials.

Sonaca North America is an E-Verify Employer.

Sonaca North America is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Disability/Veterans Employer