Quality Engineer I

Benchmark; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Benchmark in Huntsville, AL seeks a Quality Engineer I - Receiving Inspection to ensure incoming materials, components, PCBs, and electromechanical assemblies meet customer, engineering, and AS9100 requirements before production release.

The role partners with Procurement, Supplier Quality, Manufacturing, and Engineering to ensure traceability, nonconformance management, and continuous improvement in a high-reliability electronics environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Industrial Technology, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent experience.
• Experience in quality assurance, receiving inspection, supplier quality, and quality engineering in electronics manufacturing services.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, BOMs, and technical documents.
• Working knowledge of quality management systems and QA principles.
• Strong technical, analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and cross-functional teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Verify incoming materials, components, and hardware against PO requirements and drawings.
• Perform receiving inspections of electronic, mechanical, and electromechanical products for defects and nonconformities.
• Inspect PCBs, components, cable assemblies, wire harnesses, connectors, and hardware per drawings and IPC standards.
• Verify packaging, labeling, MSL, and handling/storage controls for components.
• Use inspection equipment to verify critical dimensions and electrical characteristics.
• Review CoCs, material certifications, test reports, and AS9100-related documentation for completeness.

Skills

Read drawings

Quality assurance

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Quality/Manufacturing

Tools

Excel

Word

PowerPoint

Calipers

Micrometers

Optical inspection

Multimeters

XRF equipment

Job description

At Benchmark, we are driven by our purpose: to innovate for a healthier, safer, and better-connected world to create a brighter future. When you join us, you become part of a team passionate about making a meaningful impact across various sectors, including commercial aerospace, defense, advanced computing, next-generation communications, complex industrials, medical, and semiconductor capital equipment. We prioritize career growth, fostering a culture that ensures you reach your full potential. At Benchmark, your work is purpose-driven, enabling you to create a positive impact on the world and make your career truly meaningful. You’ll be part of a collaborative and inclusive team that values your ideas and contributions.

Position Summary

The Quality Engineer I - Receiving Inspection is responsible for ensuring incoming materials, components, printed circuit boards, cable assemblies, wire harnesses, hardware, and electromechanical assemblies conform to customer, engineering, regulatory, and contractual requirements prior to release into production.

This position serves as the quality focal point for receiving inspection activities and works closely with Procurement, Supplier Quality, Manufacturing, Engineering, and Program teams to ensure effective supplier quality oversight, material traceability, counterfeit mitigation, nonconformance management, and continuous improvement. This role plays a critical part in maintaining compliance with AS9100 quality management system requirements while supporting aerospace and defense electronic manufacturing programs.

Key Responsibilities

Receiving Inspection & Product Verification

• Verify incoming materials, components, assemblies, and hardware against purchase order requirements, engineering drawings, specifications, and customer requirements.
• Perform receiving inspections of electronic, mechanical, and electromechanical products to identify defects, workmanship concerns, damage, contamination, and nonconforming conditions.
• Inspect printed circuit boards, electronic components, cable assemblies, wire harnesses, connectors, and hardware in accordance with drawings, specifications, IPC standards, and customer requirements.
• Verify packaging integrity, labeling accuracy, Moisture Sensitivity Level (MSL) requirements, and proper handling and storage controls for electronic components.
• Utilize calibrated inspection, measurement, and test equipment to verify critical dimensions, electrical characteristics, and product acceptance criteria.
• Perform X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) inspections to verify plating composition, plating thickness, and material compliance requirements.

Documentation & Traceability Verification

• Review and validate Certificates of Conformance (CoCs), material certifications, test reports, laboratory reports, and special process certifications.
• Conduct data package reviews to ensure completeness and acceptability of required quality documentation, including AS9102 First Article Inspection packages, material certifications, CoCs, acceptance test data, laboratory reports, and customer-required quality records.
• Verify lot traceability, serial number control, batch identification, and certification records in accordance with AS9100, customer, and contractual requirements.
• Maintain inspection records and quality documentation in compliance with retention requirements and company procedures.

Supplier Quality & Compliance

• Support supplier quality investigations and supplier corrective action activities.
• Perform counterfeit parts prevention and verification activities to mitigate the risk of counterfeit electronic components entering the supply chain.
• Support first article inspections, sampling plans, and risk-based inspection activities for new or high-risk suppliers.
• Collaborate with Supplier Quality, Procurement, Manufacturing, and Engineering teams to resolve incoming material quality concerns.
• Support internal audits, customer audits, and AS9100 quality system compliance initiatives.

Nonconformance Management & Continuous Improvement

• Identify, document, segregate, and process nonconforming material in accordance with company procedures.
• Participate in Material Review Board (MRB) activities and support root cause investigations and corrective action implementation.
• Analyze incoming quality trends and supplier performance metrics to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Support continuous improvement, workplace organization, and 5S initiatives within the inspection function.
• Maintain calibration compliance of inspection and measurement equipment.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Industrial Technology, or a related technical discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience as approved by management.
• Experience in quality assurance, receiving inspection, supplier quality, and quality engineering with a company who provides electronics manufacturing services
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, bills of material, and technical documentation.
• Working knowledge of quality management systems and quality assurance principles.
• Strong technical, analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to work effectively with customers, suppliers, and cross-functional teams in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting receiving inspection, supplier quality, or quality engineering activities within an electronics manufacturing environment.
• Experience with SMT processes, PCB assemblies, cable assemblies, wire harnesses, connectors, and electromechanical assemblies.
• Knowledge of IPC-A-610, J-STD-001, IPC-TM-650, and AS9100 requirements.
• Experience performing inspections of electronic, mechanical, and electromechanical components.
• Experience reviewing AS9102 First Article Inspection (FAI) documentation and certification packages.
• Experience reviewing Certificates of Conformance, material certifications, laboratory reports, test reports, and special process certifications.
• Experience utilizing inspection and measurement equipment including calipers, micrometers, optical inspection systems, multimeters, and XRF equipment.
• Knowledge of traceability requirements, counterfeit parts prevention, and supplier quality management systems.
• Aerospace, defense, medical, or other high-reliability manufacturing experience preferred.
• Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement experience is a plus.

What You'll Bring

• Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to product quality.
• Strong technical aptitude and problem-solving abilities.
• A customer-focused mindset with a commitment to compliance and operational excellence.
• Ability to make data-driven decisions and effectively prioritize work.
• A continuous improvement mindset focused on defect prevention and process effectiveness.
• Strong collaboration, communication, and interpersonal skills.

Geographical Location: Alabama:Huntsville

Physical Location: Huntsville, AL

Shift: Shift 1

Work Schedule: M-F 0800-1700

Full Time

In our innovative environment, you'll work with cutting-edge technology, leading the way in engineering design and delivering world-class manufacturing services for products that make a real difference in the lives of others. At Benchmark, your career is more than just a job. It’s an opportunity to be part of something bigger, where your work matters and helps shape a brighter future for everyone. Together, we will achieve extraordinary things.

Benchmark is an equal opportunity employer. We are bringing together a dynamic workforce with unique talents, life experiences, cultures, and perspectives to promote an innovative, collaborative, and creative place to work. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please email us at [e-mail] .

Export Control:

This position may involve access to information, technology, or materials that are regulated under U.S. export control laws. Employment in this role may be contingent upon verification that you qualify as a U.S. Person under federal regulations. U.S. Persons include U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), and individuals granted asylum or refugee status in the United States. If a candidate does not qualify as a U.S. Person, Benchmark will evaluate the position requirements and applicable legal restrictions to determine whether employment can proceed. In some cases, Benchmark may be unable to move forward with an application due to export control requirements.

Benchmark is an equal opportunity employer. We are bringing together a dynamic workforce with unique talents, life experiences, cultures, and perspectives to promote an innovative, collaborative, and creative place to work. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please email us at [e-mail] .