Senior Quality Engineer

Montana Photonics & Quantum Alliance; Bedford (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Blue Ridge Optics is seeking a Senior Quality Engineer to lead the quality function on the manufacturing floor in Bedford, VA. This hands-on leadership role combines technical excellence with practical decision-making to ensure products meet customer expectations while supporting efficient production.

The ideal candidate will own the Quality Management System (QMS), mentor the Quality Inspection and Metrology teams, and drive continuous improvement across inspection, testing, and documentation.

Qualifications

• Experience in optics manufacturing and quality leadership within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of quality systems, inspection techniques, and precision manufacturing.
• Excellent analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor the Quality Inspection and Metrology teams.
• Own and continuously improve the company’s Quality Management System (QMS).
• Oversee product inspection, testing, quality documentation, reporting, and records.
• Review and disposition nonconforming material with Engineering and Manufacturing for corrective actions.
• Support root cause investigations and implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Perform inspections and process parts as needed to support production.
• Develop and improve inspection methods, quality procedures, and manufacturing processes.
• Promote a culture of quality, continuous improvement, and accountability.
• Ensure customer, regulatory, and internal quality requirements are met.

Skills

Optics manufacturing

Quality leadership

QMS

Root cause analysis

Manufacturing processes

Job description

Blue Ridge Optics

Full Time

Bedford, VA

Blue Ridge Optics is seeking an experienced Senior Quality Engineer to lead our quality function while remaining actively engaged on the manufacturing floor. This is a hands‑on leadership opportunity for an experienced quality professional with a background in optics, optical cleaning, optical coatings, or optical metrology. As the Senior Quality Engineer, you will oversee our Quality Inspection and Metrology teams, take ownership of our Quality Management System (QMS), and work closely with Engineering and Manufacturing to ensure products meet customer expectations while supporting efficient production. This position is ideal for someone who combines strong technical expertise with practical decision‑making and enjoys solving complex manufacturing challenges.

What You’ll Do

• Lead and mentor the Quality Inspection and Metrology teams.
• Own and continuously improve the company’s Quality Management System (QMS).
• Oversee product inspection, testing, quality documentation, reporting, and records.
• Review and disposition nonconforming material while collaborating with Engineering and Manufacturing to determine appropriate corrective actions.
• Support root cause investigations and implement effective corrective and preventive actions.
• Perform inspections and process parts as needed to support production. This is a working leadership role, and the successful candidate will not hesitate to step in wherever needed.
• Develop and improve inspection methods, quality procedures, and manufacturing processes.
• Promote a culture of quality, continuous improvement, and accountability throughout the organization.
• Ensure customer, regulatory, and internal quality requirements are consistently met.

What We’re Looking For

• Experience in one or more of the following: o Optics manufacturing
• Optical cleaning
• Optical coatings
• Optical metrology
• Experience in a quality engineering or quality leadership role within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience leading or mentoring quality inspectors or technicians.
• Strong understanding of quality systems, inspection techniques, and precision manufacturing.
• Excellent analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively across Engineering, Manufacturing, and Operations.

The Ideal Candidate If you’re a technically strong quality professional who enjoys leading by example, solving complex problems, and making a direct impact on a growing precision optics manufacturer, we’d love to hear from you.