Quality Engineering Lead (Supervisor)

Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Company (EBAD); Simsbury (CT); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Company (EBAD) seeks a Quality Engineer Lead to head the Quality function within a Value Stream. This role acts as both a technical quality engineer and a leader for quality teams, accountable for quality performance, issue resolution, and talent development.

You will collaborate with program management, engineering, and operations, driving continuous improvement and ensuring compliance with AS9100 / ISO 9001.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related technical discipline.
• Experience in Quality Engineering in a manufacturing environment.
• Aerospace or regulated manufacturing experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Leads and develops Quality Engineers and Quality Inspectors.
• Drives safety, quality, delivery and cost targets through corrective actions.
• Represents Quality in audits and customer interactions.
• Interfaces with customers and suppliers on quality matters.
• Supports programs from proposal through shipment and design reviews.
• Manages change control and assesses impact of production changes.

Skills

AS9100 knowledge

Quality leadership

Problem solving

Cross-functional collaboration

MS Office

Audits & compliance

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related technical discipline

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

At Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Company (EBAD), we believe that our strengths are built on our most important resource - our people. Join EBAD and you'll be a part of a team who creates cutting edge technology that will blast us into the future. No other company can match the innovative energetic solutions that we provide. At EBAD you will actively contribute to successful missions putting men, women and satellites into space, and protecting our armed service men and women around the world. If this is the culture and work environment you are seeking, then EBAD is the place for you!

Job Description

The Quality Engineer Lead leads the Quality function within the assigned Value Stream and serves as the Quality representative for programs, customers, and internal operations. This role functions as both a technical Quality Engineer on select programs and as the leader of Quality Engineers and Quality Inspectors. The QEL is accountable for Value Stream quality performance, systemic issue resolution, and development of Quality talent.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership and Team Development

• Leads and develops Quality Engineers and Quality Inspectors
• Sets goals, conducts performance reviews, and identifies training needs
• Distributes workload to support business priorities
• Establishes consistent quality best practices across the Value Stream
• Represents Quality in Value Stream meetings & Gemba reviews

Business and Quality Performance

• Supports Value Stream and Operations leadership in achieving safety, quality, delivery, and cost targets through leading problem solving and corrective actions
• Tracks and analyzes quality performance, trends, and systemic issues
• Inclusive of verifying effectiveness of corrective actions
• Drives continuous improvement to reduce defects and variation

Audit and Compliance

• Represents the Value Stream in customer, regulatory, and internal quality audits
• Reviews and approves audit responses
• Ensures compliance with quality system and customer requirements

Customer and Supplier Interface

• Serves as the primary Quality point of contact for customers within the Value Stream
• Interfaces with customer quality representatives and participates in quality meetings
• Supports supplier visits and audits related to Value Stream programs

Program and Engineering Support

• Supports programs from proposal through shipment
• Participates in proposal reviews for quality scope and labor
• Reviews product drawings and approves inspection plans
• Participates in design and risk reviews (e.g., PDRs, CDRs, FMEAs)
• Identifies potential defect opportunities and ensures product conformance
• Defines how product conformance will be verified

Configuration and Change Control

• Acts as Quality representative for change and review boards as assigned
• Assess impact of changes to production and in-process product

Requirements

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related technical discipline
• Experience in Quality Engineering in a manufacturing environment
• Aerospace or regulated manufacturing experience preferred

Knowledge and Skills

• Ability to interpret customer specifications and develop quality plans
• Knowledge of AS9100 / ISO 9001 quality systems
• Experience with corrective and preventive action
• Strong problem-solving and continuous improvement skills
• Experience supporting internal and external audits
• Proficient with Microsoft Office
• Strong communication and cross-functional leadership skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt
• Experience in aerospace or defense quality systems
• Experience supporting new product development

Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, national origin, or veteran status.