Senior Field Service Quality Engineer

Saronic; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Saronic is seeking a Senior Quality Engineer to lead quality initiatives for electro‑mechanical ASV systems. You will serve as the technical authority on the production floor, directing nonconformance resolution, root cause investigations, and CAPA activities to ensure product integrity and manufacturing excellence.

You will review drawings and specs, develop inspection plans, mentor inspectors, and partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain to drive continuous improvement in a

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Aerospace, Ocean, Industrial Engineering, or related
• 5+ years of experience in quality engineering, manufacturing quality or production support
• Experience in aerospace, defense, maritime, or other highly regulated engineering environments is highly desirable
• Experience developing inspection plans, defining acceptance criteria, and making risk-based quality decisions
• Familiarity with ISO 9001, AS9100 and other quality management systems is a plus

Responsibilities

• Lead Manufacturing Quality initiatives and establish inspection standards and quality checkpoints
• Drive nonconformance management with in‑process disposition approvals
• Lead root cause investigations and implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA)
• Collaborate with Engineering, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain to resolve issues
• Improve quality systems to reduce defects and improve first‑pass yield
• Monitor quality metrics and translate data into actionable recommendations
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship on quality practices
• Support compliance with customer specs and industry standards

Skills

Root cause analysis

Nonconformance management

CAPA

Quality improvement

Inspection planning

Manufacturing processes

Cross-functional collaboration

Data analysis

Technical leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical/Manufacturing/Aerospace/Ocean/Industrial Engineering

Job description

• We are seeking an experienced and technically driven Senior Quality Engineer to lead quality initiatives supporting the manufacturing, integration, and delivery of complex electro-mechanical systems for autonomous surface vessels (ASVs). This role requires deep technical judgment, a strong understanding of design intent, structural integrity, and manufacturing processes, and extensive experience in root cause analysis, nonconformance management, and production support
• As a senior member of the Quality team, you will serve as a technical authority on the production and integration floor, driving risk-based quality decisions, resolving complex technical issues, and partnering with Engineering, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain to ensure product integrity and operational excellence
• Lead Manufacturing Quality: Develop, implement, and continuously improve quality assurance processes, inspection strategies, and manufacturing controls. Serve as a senior quality representative on the production and integration floor, providing technical guidance and ensuring adherence to engineering requirements and quality standards
• Drive Nonconformance Management: Lead the evaluation and resolution of complex nonconformances, providing in-process disposition recommendations and approvals within delegated authority. Ensure dispositions align with design intent, drawing requirements, engineering specifications, and applicable standards. Coordinate with Engineering and Manufacturing to resolve issues efficiently and prevent recurrence
• Lead Root Cause and Corrective Action: Facilitate complex root cause investigations using structured problem-solving methodologies. Drive corrective and preventive actions, validate their effectiveness, and identify systemic opportunities to improve product quality and manufacturing performance
• Establish Inspection Standards: Develop and maintain clear, repeatable inspection plans, acceptance criteria, and quality checkpoints for Quality Inspectors and production teams. Provide technical mentorship to inspectors and technicians to ensure consistent application of quality requirements
• Partner with Engineering: Review engineering drawings, 3D models, specifications, and bills of materials to assess manufacturability, inspection requirements, and compliance with design intent. Collaborate with Design and Manufacturing Engineering to resolve technical issues and support Engineering Change Orders (ECOs) and Design Change Orders (DCOs)
• Improve Quality Systems and Processes: Identify opportunities to strengthen manufacturing controls, reduce defects, improve first-pass yield, and minimize rework and scrap. Lead continuous improvement initiatives that enhance product reliability, process capability, and production efficiency
• Analyze Quality Performance: Establish and monitor key quality metrics, including defect rates, nonconformance trends, rework, scrap, and corrective action effectiveness. Translate data into actionable recommendations and communicate findings, risks, and improvement plans to cross-functional stakeholders
• Manage Quality Risk: Evaluate product and process risks, prioritize quality issues based on safety, performance, reliability, and customer impact, and drive timely resolution of issues that could affect production readiness or customer delivery
• Provide Technical Leadership: Serve as a subject matter expert for manufacturing quality and nonconformance resolution. Mentor Quality Engineers, inspectors, and production personnel while promoting a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and quality ownership across the organization
• Support Quality Compliance: Ensure manufacturing and inspection activities comply with applicable internal quality requirements, customer specifications, and industry standards. Contribute to the development and improvement of quality procedures, work instructions, and documentation
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Occasional standing and walking within the office
• Manual dexterity to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and other office equipment
• Visual acuity to read screens, documents, and reports
• Occasional reaching, bending, or stooping to access file drawers, cabinets, or office supplies
• Lifting and carrying items up to 20 pounds occasionally (e.g., office supplies, packages)

The ideal candidate is comfortable navigating ambiguity in a fast-paced environment, influencing cross-functional teams, and balancing quality, safety, performance, and delivery requirements without compromising engineering standardsStrong analytical, communication, and technical documentation skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders and drive issues to resolutionExperience in aerospace, defense, maritime, or other highly regulated engineering environments is highly desirableExperience developing inspection plans, defining acceptance criteria, and making risk-based quality decisionsBachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Aerospace, Ocean, Industrial Engineering, or a related engineering disciplineAbility to interpret engineering drawings, 3D models, specifications, and bills of materials to evaluate product conformity and support technical issue resolutionStrong knowledge of manufacturing processes, engineering drawings, GD&T, dimensional inspection, and product acceptance requirements5+ years of relevant engineering experience, with demonstrated experience in quality engineering, manufacturing quality, or production supportExperience supporting complex electro-mechanical assemblies, integrated systems, or precision manufacturing environmentsDemonstrated expertise in root cause analysis, nonconformance management, corrective and preventive action (CAPA), and structured problem-solving methodologiesExperience mentoring engineers or inspectors and leading cross-functional quality improvement initiatives is preferredFamiliarity with ISO 9001, AS9100, and other applicable quality management system requirements is a plusExperience collaborating across Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, and Supply Chain to resolve complex production issues