Quality Technician III

AeroVironment, Inc.; Simi Valley (CA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401K with company matching

9/80 work schedule

Paid holiday shutdown

Job summary

AeroVironment, Inc. seeks a Quality Technician III to support the Quality Engineering group with FAI processing, data analysis, and nonconformance handling. The role involves witnessing UAV flight acceptance test activity and documenting QA results.

Responsibilities include processing submissions, performing selective inspections, and maintaining records. Travel to remote flying sites and overtime may be required; candidates should have AS9100 experience and strong GD&T knowledge.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED; 2-4 years related experience.
• AS9100DD experience and/or internal audit experience.
• Mechanical inspection methods including surface plate work and gauges.
• Reading drawings with ANSI Y14.5 GD&T understanding.
• Proficient in MS Office Suite.
• CA driver’s license with clean record.

Responsibilities

• Process inbound/outbound FAI and deliverable submissions accurately.
• Perform selective inspection and document results in Agile/Oracle.
• Handle internal non-conforming material and NC processes.
• Support QA, corrective actions and Six Sigma tools.
• Lead problem solving methods (Fishbone, 5-Why, Fault-tree).
• Coordinate QA Technician activities and assist audits.
• Develop and maintain QA instructions and procedures.
• Assist with flight test documentation and data analysis.

Skills

FAI knowledge

AS9100 familiarity

Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerance

MS Office

Nonconformance handling

Flight test documentation

Documentation control

Problem solving

Travel readiness

Education

2 year technical degree

Quality system courses

Auditing experience

Tools

Agile

Oracle database

Job description

Worker Type Regular Job Description Summary The Quality Technician III supports the Quality Engineering group through processing First Article Inspection (FAI) and Part Approval Process, selective inspection, analysis and processing of internal Nonconformance Reporting (NC) material and other administrative and logistical support duties. Represents the Quality Department in witnessing and documenting UAV flight acceptance test activity.

Position Responsibilities

Processes inbound or outbound FAI and deliverable submissions accurately and timely including: receipt and analysis of parts and/or supporting documentation; completion of associated records and logs; communication of submission status as needed to QEs, managers, engineers or interested parties; processing of parts after completion; maintaining records and files associated with submissions; and other related tasks

Conducts selective inspection under the direction of the QE group including: receipt and verification of material, completion and maintenance of related documentation, communication of inspection results to concerned parties and processing of material after verification using Agile/Oracle database

Processes internal non-conforming material as needed in support of QE including: retrieval and analysis of material, interpretation of preliminary findings and restatement of problem statements to ensure understanding of problem, processing material through the necessary NC processes, communication of status to concerned parties, maintaining necessary documentation and processing material to internal and external suppliers

Provides general support of QEs including communication, Corrective Action Request processing, product evaluation, and sorting activities under exceptional circumstances, and interfacing with other team members as necessary to complete assigned tasks in support of continuous improvement initiatives using A3, Six Sigma DMAIC forms

Leads & facilitates problem solving activities such as Fishbone, 5-Why, Fault-tree, etc.

Plans and coordinates QA Technician I and II activities and provides general guidance

Support DCMA Source Inspection process

Responsible for creating the Final Inspection documentation package including COC, TDR's, etc., and as necessary support internal/external customer inspection

Represents and supports QEs during internal and 3rd party audits regarding the essential functions above and as needed regarding our measurements system and documented system

Develops and maintains process instructions for quality-related activities

Works on assignments that are moderately difficult, requiring judgement in resolving issues or in making recommendations

Other duties as assigned

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent 2 - 4 years of related work experience is required or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
• Has Aerospace quality management system experience (AS9100DD) and/or internal audit experience
• Demonstrated expertise in mechanical inspection methods and skills including surface plate work, hand tools, and gages, etc.
• Solid ability to read and understand drawing requirements including a solid understanding of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerance to ANSI Y14.5
• Good knowledge of FAI validation and verification process requirements
• Good knowledge of engineering drawings and specification systems
• Strong computer skills and is proficient in MS Office Suite (Word, Access, PowerPoint, Excel)
• Must be able to fill out the necessary flight test documentation
• Must document any/all non-conformances encountered
• Must have the skills necessary to perform pre and post-flight visual inspections on flight hardware and components
• Must possess the skills necessary to remove and replace field replaceable components on aircraft.
• Will populate excel spreadsheets on a daily basis documenting flight test results
• Must able to work efficiently in a fast-paced, high-volume environment
• Required to travel to and from remote flying sites on a daily basis
• Must have a valid California driver's license and clean driving record
• Willingness to work overtime also a must

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

• 2 year technical degree preferred; Quality system courses and/or equivalent experience preferred
• Solid ability to accurately record and manage data, records, files and other documents to support tasks
• Has an analytical approach to problem solving and high organizational skills in a fast-paced environment as well as effective time management, interpersonal and communication skills
• Strong ability to manage time and prioritize tasks
• Receives little instruction on daily work, general instructions on newly introduced assignments.
• Has substantial understanding of the job and applies knowledge & skills to complete wide range of tasks
• 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
• Has effective problem-solving, analytical, interpersonal and communication skills.
• Focuses on teamwork, collaboration and puts the success of the team above one's own interests

Physical Demands

Ability to work the majority of the time outdoors in varying weather conditions, when needed, during flight test activity (Frequent)

Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. and carry/move objects of varying shapes and sizes (Frequent)

Regularly required to, stand, sit; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard (Frequent)

Clearance Level

No Clearance

Salary range

The salary range for this role is: $23 - $35

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 section 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.

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.

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.

Career at AeroVironment

Careers at AeroVironment