Quality Engineer-Aerospace Manufacturing & FAA Compliance

Robinson Helicopter Co; Torrance (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Robinson Helicopter Co in Torrance, CA is seeking a highly experienced Quality Engineer for aerospace manufacturing and FAA compliance. This senior-level position ensures products and manufacturing methods meet FAA regulations and quality standards.

The ideal candidate possesses expertise in aerospace manufacturing processes, FAA compliance, and quality engineering methodologies. The role demands strong analytical capabilities, technical judgment, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of aerospace quality engineering experience in FAA-regulated environments.
• Strong working knowledge of FAA regulations: Part 21, Part 43.
• Demonstrated experience in managing nonconforming material processes.

Responsibilities

• Review and disposition nonconforming materials and processes.
• Lead investigations for quality escapes and recurring defects.
• Ensure compliance with FAA regulations and airworthiness standards.

Skills

FAA regulatory compliance

Aerospace manufacturing processes

Root cause analysis

Quality engineering methodologies

Statistical analysis

Technical judgment

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field

Job description

JOB SUMMARY

Robinson Helicopter Company (RHC) is seeking a highly experienced Quality Engineer – Aerospace Manufacturing & FAA Compliance to support production, supplier quality, and airworthiness compliance across helicopter manufacturing and overhaul operations.

This is a senior‑level engineering position responsible for ensuring products, processes, materials, and manufacturing methods conform to FAA regulations, engineering requirements, and company quality standards. The Quality Engineer serves as a technical authority in the evaluation, disposition, containment, and resolution of deficient, nonconforming, suspect, and non‑DfMA (Design for Manufacturing & Assembly) conditions affecting aircraft components and assemblies.

The ideal candidate possesses deep expertise in aerospace manufacturing processes, FAA regulatory compliance, root cause and corrective action systems, and risk‑based quality engineering methodologies. This individual must be capable of making sound engineering decisions in fast‑paced production environments where airworthiness, product integrity, and operational execution are critical.

This role requires a highly analytical aerospace professional with exceptional technical judgment, strong business acumen, and a relentless commitment to airworthiness, escape prevention, manufacturability, quality, cost, and continuous improvement. The Quality Engineer is expected to maintain a strong floor presence, influence technical and operational decisions, and serve as a trusted advisor to Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, and Operations leadership.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

• Review, investigate, contain, and disposition nonconforming materials, components, assemblies, and processes in accordance with FAA regulations, engineering requirements, and company quality procedures
• Serve as a technical authority in the evaluation of deficient and non‑DfMA product conditions, providing practical, compliant, and manufacturable corrective action recommendations
• Lead root cause and corrective action investigations involving quality escapes, recurring defects, supplier issues, process failures, and airworthiness concerns using structured methodologies including 5‑Why, Fishbone, RCCA, PFMEA, and risk‑based analysis techniques
• Partner with Design Engineering and Manufacturing Engineering to improve manufacturability, assembly efficiency, process capability, product reliability, and overall production readiness
• Ensure compliance with FAA regulations, AS9100 quality management requirements, internal procedures, and airworthiness standards, with zero tolerance for compromised product integrity
• Review and interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, specifications, work instructions, inspection criteria, manufacturing methods, and airworthiness requirements to ensure technical and regulatory compliance
• Support and participate in Material Review Board (MRB) activities including technical evaluation, containment strategy development, disposition recommendations, and implementation of corrective actions
• Analyze production and quality performance data to identify adverse trends, recurring defects, process variation, escape risks, and opportunities for operational improvement
• Drive containment and corrective actions for supplier quality issues, manufacturing escapes, and internal nonconformances to prevent recurrence and protect product integrity
• Support First Article Inspection (FAI), process validation, inspection planning, control plans, and production readiness activities for new and existing products
• Provide technical leadership, mentorship, and guidance to inspectors, technicians, engineers, and manufacturing personnel regarding quality standards, workmanship expectations, regulatory compliance, and problem‑solving methodologies
• Maintain an active presence on the production floor, supporting manufacturing teams in resolving real‑time technical, quality, and process‑related issues
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on reducing defects, improving first‑pass yield, eliminating rework, reducing cost of poor quality (COPQ), and improving operational efficiency
• Participate in internal, customer, supplier, and regulatory audits and support timely closure of corrective and preventive actions
• Exercise sound engineering judgment and decision‑making authority in balancing manufacturability, compliance, airworthiness, quality, schedule, and operational risk

QUALIFICATIONS

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality Engineering, or related technical discipline required
• 7+ years of progressive aerospace quality engineering experience supporting manufacturing, assembly, overhaul, or FAA‑regulated production environments
• Strong working knowledge and practical application of FAA regulations including Part 21, Part 43, and aerospace quality system requirements
• Demonstrated experience managing nonconforming material processes, containment activities, and MRB support within an aerospace manufacturing environment
• Strong understanding of aerospace manufacturing methods including machining, fabrication, assembly, inspection, process control, and production support
• Ability to evaluate technical deficiencies and independently recommend practical, compliant, airworthy, and manufacturable corrective actions
• Experience interpreting engineering drawings, GD&T, specifications, process instructions, inspection requirements, and airworthiness criteria with high attention to detail
• Proven expertise in root cause analysis, corrective action systems, statistical analysis, and continuous improvement methodologies
• Strong communication, leadership, and cross‑functional collaboration skills with the ability to influence technical and operational decisions across all organizational levels
• Ability to make sound engineering judgments under pressure in a fast‑paced aerospace production environment while maintaining strict regulatory and quality compliance
• Strong analytical capability with a disciplined, detail‑oriented, and quality‑focused mindset

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in FAA Part 21 and/or Part 145 regulated aerospace environments
• AS9100 internal auditing experience
• Prior participation in Material Review Board (MRB) authority or disposition activities
• Experience supporting rotorcraft, flight‑critical hardware, or complex aerospace systems
• Certification or training in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, RCCA, PFMEA, or advanced quality engineering methodologies
• Familiarity with SPC, Control Plans, advanced product quality planning, and risk‑based manufacturing controls
• Experience working closely with Manufacturing Engineering to improve DfMA, process capability, and production efficiency
• Knowledge of aerospace materials including aluminum alloys, titanium, composites, and aircraft hardware systems

WHAT YOU’LL SUPPORT

• civil aviation
• pilot training
• public safety operations
• commercial aerial applications
• global aftermarket support

Pay Range: $80,000 – $100,000.00/Annually