Quality Mission Assurance Engineer, Sr.

InvestedintheMission; Simi Valley (CA); On-site; USD 123,000 - 187,000; Full time

Job summary

A Sr. Quality Mission Assurance Engineer at AeroVironment, Inc. is responsible for the overall quality of products and services, driving continuous improvement and establishing CAPA systems. The role incorporates CPAs, QC controls, and data analysis to optimize production processes and KPI metrics.

The position requires leading audits, cross-functional collaboration, and hands‑on support on the production floor and AV integration activities, with a focus on safety, quality, and efficiency.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Quality Engineering, or a related discipline is required or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
• Minimum of 8–12 years of related experience
• AS9100D Lead Auditor, knowledge of ISO 9001:AS9100
• Familiar with Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies and tools for process development and control
• Familiar with electro‑mechanical manufacturing, ASME Y14.5 (GD&T), procedures, and Bill of Materials
• Expertise in root cause analysis and problem‑solving principles
• First Article AS9102
• Proficient in Microsoft Office
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to collaborate, interact and communicate with all levels of an organization

Responsibilities

• Lead and facilitate implementation of process, and AS9100D internal audits
• Coordinate work with Quality Technicians and inspectors as necessary
• Responsible for driving corrective action and failure analysis
• Perform training on BMS procedures with workforce, as required. Provides internal auditing support
• Participate in Product Readiness Reviews (PRR) and coordinate Final Inspection activities
• Experience and a strong understanding of DMAIC, FMEA, PPAP, Statistical Process Control (SPC), Gage R&R Studies and ANOVA
• Support the development, maintenance, and improvement of manufacturing processes with a focus on safety, quality, and efficiency
• Coordinate Lean Manufacturing principles and apply Six Sigma methodology to drive continuous improvement strategies in productivity, quality, and lead time reduction
• Perform process capabilities analysis on key characteristics; implementing Inspection and Quality Plans
• Perform Gemba studies and data collection for the purposes of understanding improvement opportunities in a designated area
• Lead root cause analysis and problem solving efforts
• Participate in the design and development of manufacturing workflows and layout of equipment for maximum efficiency
• Lead collaborative engineering improvement activities alongside other engineering functions and suppliers to improve cost, cycle time, or to drive quality improvement activities
• Perform hands‑on work to support production floor, AV integration, and assembly processes as required
• Implement best practices and develop standard work
• Act as a change agent promoting continuous improvement
• Lead and/or support all phases of quality management
• Monitor and ensure sustainment of implemented improvements at an operational level
• Other duties as assigned

Skills

AS9100D Lead Auditor

Lean Six Sigma

DMAIC

FMEA

SPC

Gage R&R

Root cause analysis

Gemba studies

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering or Quality Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Worker Type

Regular

Job Description

Summary

The Sr. Quality Mission Assurance Engineer (QE) is accountable for the overall delivered quality of products and/or services to customers and ensures quality controls are met. The Sr. QE engages Continuous Improvement (CI) resources to identify and eliminate cost drivers, identify, and eliminate flow disruptions and implement visual factory KPI metrics. The Sr. QE establishes effective Problem Reporting and CAPA systems for Containment,

Correction & Prevention Actions and Documentation of non-conformances. The Sr. Quality Mission Assurance Engineer will have either Customer Quality responsibilities or Product Quality responsibilities, in addition to the general responsibilities outlined, utilizing statistical methods to analyze production data to optimize the full production process and drive continuous improvement.

Position Responsibilities

• Lead and facilitate implementation of process, and AS9100D internal audits.


• Coordinate work with Quality Technicians and inspectors as necessary


• Responsible for driving corrective action and failure analysis


• Perform training on BMS procedures with workforce, as required. Provides internal auditing support


• Participate in Product Readiness Reviews (PRR) and coordinate Final Inspection activities


• Experience and a strong understanding of DMAIC, FMEA, PPAP, Statistical Process Control (SPC), Gage R&R Studies and ANOVA.


• Support the development, maintenance, and improvement of manufacturing processes with a focus on safety, quality, and efficiency


• Coordinate Lean Manufacturing principles and apply Six Sigma methodology to drive continuous improvement strategies in productivity, quality, and lead time reduction


• Perform process capabilities analysis on key characteristics; implementing Inspection and Quality Plans


• Perform Gemba studies and data collection for the purposes of understanding improvement opportunities in a designated area


• Lead root cause analysis and problem solving efforts


• Participate in the design and development of manufacturing workflows and layout of equipment for maximum efficiency


• Lead collaborative engineering improvement activities alongside other engineering functions and suppliers to improve cost, cycle time, or to drive quality improvement activities


• Perform hands‑on work to support production floor, AV integration, and assembly processes as required


• Implement best practices and develop standard work


• Act as a change agent promoting continuous improvement


• Lead and/or support all phases of quality management


• Monitor and ensure sustainment of implemented improvements at an operational level


• Other duties as assigned

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Quality Engineering, or a related discipline is required or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience


• Minimum of 8 – 12 years of related experience


• AS9100D Lead Auditor, knowledge of ISO 9001:AS9100


• Familiar with Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies and tools for process development and control


• Familiar with electro‑mechanical manufacturing, ASME Y14.5 (GD&T), procedures, and Bill of Materials


• Expertise in root cause analysis and problem‑solving principles


• First Article AS9102


• Proficient in Microsoft Office


• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to collaborate, interact and communicate with all levels of an organization

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

• ASQ CQE


• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, Black Belt preferred


• Able to excel in a fast‑paced, deadline‑driven environment, where small teams share a broad variety of duties


• Displays strong initiative and drive to accomplish goals and meet company objectives


• Takes ownership and responsibility for current and past work products


• Is committed to learning from mistakes and driven to improve and enhance performance of oneself, others, and the company


• Focuses on teamwork and puts the success of the team above one's own interests


• Strong organization skills, able to work well under pressure and manage several tasks simultaneously


• Follow-through for assignments with a minimum direction and detail oriented

Physical Demands

• Ability to work in an office and manufacturing environment (Constant)


• Up to 5% travel may be required


• Required to sit and stand for long periods; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard (Frequent)

Special Requirements

• U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (Green Card holder) or asylee/refugee status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) required.


• Occasionally may be required to travel within the Continental U.S.


• Holds a Class C Drivers license in the state of CA.

Clearance Level

No Clearance

The salary range for this role is:

$122,500 - $187,000

AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the location, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.

ITAR Requirement

This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations ("ITAR") and/or the Export Administration Regulations ("EAR"). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR, or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on AeroVironment’s determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironment’s business requirements. A “U.S. person” according to the ITAR definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.

Benefits

AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown. For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits.

We also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com to learn more about us.

About AV

AV isn’t for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission-obsessed. The best of the best.

We don’t just build defense technology—we redefine what’s possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S., AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. From AI-powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve.

Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonian—but we’re not building history, we’re building what’s next.

If you're ready to build technology that matters—with speed, scale, and purpose—there’s no better place to do it than AV.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status.

ITAR

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (Green Card holder), asylee/refugee status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) or a person approved for an export license from the appropriate governing agency.