Quality Engineer III

Mercury Systems; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Mercury Systems is seeking a Quality Engineer III to lead yield performance improvements across complex manufacturing operations. You will drive FPY/RTY initiatives, validate production readiness, and mentor teams to sustain high-volume, quality-focused production.

You will partner with Manufacturing, Engineering, and Supply Chain to strengthen process controls, reduce variation, and ensure design-to-release conformance with AS9100 standards.

Qualifications

• BS in a technical discipline.
• Typically requires 4+ years' experience in a quality or process engineering position for complex aerospace programs and systems.
• Knowledge of fault trees and statistical process control.
• Experience in matrix organizations supporting multiple products and projects.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and deploy advanced quality tools (PFMEAs, control plans, capability studies, MSAs).
• Monitor yield and quality KPIs; provide data-driven insights and roadmaps.
• Lead FPY improvement initiatives by analyzing defect data and driving corrective actions.
• Own RTY methodologies; map end-to-end performance and reduce losses.
• Validate production readiness and process controls before ramp to full-rate manufacturing.
• Identify waste and variation using Lean and Six Sigma methods.
• Drive problem-solving with structured methodologies (8D, DMAIC, A3).
• Support material disposition and MRB processes; perform trend analysis.
• Mentor junior engineers and production teams on quality systems and SPC.
• Execute non-conforming material processes and ensure timely MRB closure.
• Prevent defects via process, supplier, and manufacturing controls.
• Lead effective failure analyses and customer communications.
• Interface with customers to provide quality status as required.
• Promote adherence to AS9100 and drive improvements.
• Participate in audits and report results.
• Develop and maintain visible quality KPI's (COPQ, FPY, DPPM).
• Oversee First Article Inspection (FAI) activities and close gaps prior to production release.

Skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Root cause analysis

Statistical process control

8D / DMAIC / A3

Lean & Six Sigma

Education

BS in technical discipline

Tools

Agile PLM

Oracle

Solidworks

Jira

Jama

Job description

Job Summary:

The Quality Engineer III serves as a technical leader responsible for driving yield performance, process capability, and production readiness across complex manufacturing operations. This role leads strategic initiatives to improve First Pass Yield (FPY) and Rolled Throughput Yield (RTY), applying advanced quality engineering methods to identify systemic issues and deliver sustainable process improvements.

The Quality Engineer III ensures new and modified parts meet all design, specification, and capability requirements prior to release. The position partners closely with Manufacturing, Engineering, and Supply Chain to validate production readiness, strengthen process controls, and enable stable, predictable high-volume execution.

This role requires strong analytical skills, mastery of root-cause methodologies, and the ability to influence cross-functional teams to achieve measurable and lasting quality outcomes.

Job Responsibilities:

• Develop, maintain, and deploy advanced quality tools such as PFMEAs, control plans, capability studies, and measurement system analysis to sustain predictable, high-yield processes.
• Establish and monitor key yield and quality performance indicators, providing data-driven insights and improvement roadmaps to leadership.
• Lead First Pass Yield (FPY) improvement initiatives by analyzing defect data, identifying systemic issues, and driving corrective and preventive actions to achieve targeted yield performance.
• Own Rolled Throughput Yield (RTY) methodologies, including mapping endtoend process performance, calculating yield losses at each stage, and implementing improvement plans to increase overall throughput efficiency.
• Facilitate cross-functional reviews for production readiness, including validation of process controls, capability metrics, tooling, equipment qualification, and operator readiness before ramping to full-rate manufacturing.
• Partner with Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Engineering teams to identify waste, reduce variation, and enhance process robustness using Lean and Six Sigma methods.
• Drive problem-solving activities using structured methodologies (8D, DMAIC, A3) and ensure actions are implemented, verified, and sustained.
• Support material review, disposition processes, and defect reduction activity through deep-dive analytics and trend identification.
• Provide mentoring and technical guidance to junior engineers and production teams on quality systems, root cause analysis, and process control.
• Execute processes for non-conforming material and the efficient management of MRB.
• Prevent defects through use of process, supplier, manufacturing, and quality controls.
• Drive effective failure analysis, and responsive communication to customers.
• Interface and communicate with customers regularly, providing quality status as required.
• Promote adherence to the Quality Management System (AS9100), and drive improvements.
• Participate in internal and external audits and provide results.
• Develop and Maintain visibleQuality KPI'sand associated actions (COPQ, FPY, DPPM)
• Facilitate and oversee First Article Inspection (FAI) activities, ensuring complete verification of design, specification, and process requirements in accordance with applicable standards and internal procedures, and driving timely closure of identified gaps prior to production release.

Required Qualifications:

• BS in a technical discipline.
• Typically requires 4+ years' experience in a quality or process engineering position for complex aerospace programs and systems.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships within and across departments and the company to support organization strategies.
• Ability to maintain the professional competence, knowledge, and skill necessary for the performance of all assigned responsibilities.
• Knowledge of relevant quality standards, methods and practices.
• Knowledge of fault trees and statistical process control.
• Experience working in a matrix organization, supporting multiple products and projects.
• Outstanding written and verbal communications skills.
• Proven record of initiative, problem solving and the ability to recognize and implement improvements.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a government security clearance as required by program or customer needs.

Preferred Qualifications:

• PCBAs (or related product) experience is a plus.
• Contract Manufacturer experience (PCBA type work), or similar, preferred.
• Experience with Agile PLM (or similar), Oracle, Solidworks, Jira, and Jama software, is a plus.

"This position requires you to have or obtain a government security clearance. Security clearances may only be granted to U.S. citizens."

Why should you join Mercury Systems?

Mercury Systems is a technology company that makes the world a safer, more secure place. We push processing power to the tactical edge, making the latest commercial technologies profoundly more accessible for today's most challenging aerospace and defense missions. From silicon to system scale, Mercury enables customers to accelerate innovation and turn data into decision superiority. Headquartered in Andover, Massachusetts, Mercury employs more than 2,300 people in 24 locations worldwide. To learn more, visit mrcy.com

Our Culture

We are committed to making Mercury a great place to work, no matter where our employees are located. We offer a casual and enjoyable atmosphere that allows employees to learn and grow. We help and care for one another and work as one to achieve results for us and for our customers. We value communication and transparency, and strive to foster two-way dialogue at all levels of the organization. We are committed to lifelong learning, offering comprehensive skills training and tuition reimbursement. Whether you're just starting out on your career journey or you are an experienced professional, it's important to us that you feel recognized and rewarded for your contributions.

To find out more aboutWhy Mercury?, or visit the Mercury Community or find answers to general questions at Mercury FAQs

Mercury Systems is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, genetic information, creed, citizenship, disability, protected veteran or marital status.

As an equal opportunity employer, Mercury Systems is committed to a diverse workforce. In order to ensure reasonable accommodation for individuals protected by Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Veterans' Readjustment Act of 1974, and Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, applicants that require accommodation in the job application process may contact the number below for assistance.

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