Senior Quality Engineer

Hexcel Corporation; Delaware; On-site; USD 78,000 - 146,000; Full time

Job summary

Hexcel Corporation in Kent, WA is seeking a Senior Quality Engineer to lead high-impact quality programs across functions and ensure operational excellence. You will drive audit readiness, corrective actions, and regulatory compliance while mentoring engineers and coordinating with manufacturing, engineering, and supply chain teams.

The role requires 10+ years in quality/manufacturing/engineering with aerospace experience and deep knowledge of AS9100/Nadcap.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related technical discipline; master’s preferred.
• 10+ years in quality/manufacturing/engineering roles, aerospace experience preferred.
• Experience leading complex quality programs with audits and improvements.
• Expert knowledge of AS9100, Nadcap, regulatory requirements, and QMS.
• Strong risk management, change management, statistics, process capability, problem-solving.
• Proven ability to lead audits and drive corrective actions.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills with multiple priorities.
• Ability to influence decisions and lead cross-functional teams without direct authority.
• Lean/Six Sigma experience; Black Belt preferred.
• ASQ CQE/CMQ/OE or equivalent certification strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead high-impact quality programs and cross-functional initiatives.
• Serve as site lead for audit readiness, customer quality initiatives, and corrective actions.
• Develop and execute project plans; coordinate cross-functional teams.
• Lead audits (customer, AS9100, Nadcap) and ensure corrective actions.
• Provide technical leadership for quality system assessments and compliance reviews.
• Collaborate with Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain and Leadership to mitigate risks and improve product conformity.
• Analyze quality performance metrics and identify improvement opportunities.
• Drive Lean, Six Sigma, risk management, and data-driven decision making.
• Mentor Quality Engineers and represent programs in audits and leadership reviews.

Skills

Quality leadership

Cross-functional leadership

Lean Six Sigma

Statistical analysis

Risk management

Project management

Data-driven decisions

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Master's degree preferred

CQE/CMQ-OE certification preferred

Job description

With our strong investment in research and development and our culture of continuous improvement, Hexcel is the industry leader in the manufacturing of advanced lightweight composite materials, including carbon fiber, woven reinforcements, resins, prepregs, honeycombs and engineered core and composite structures. We invite you to join the Hexcel team at various manufacturing sites, sales offices, and R&D centers around the globe. Become a part of the “strength within.”

Hexcel is looking for a Senior Quality Engineer for their Kent, WA, USA location.

The Senior Quality Engineer is responsible for leading high-impact quality programs, managing complex cross-functional initiatives, and driving improvements that support operational excellence, customer satisfaction, and regulatory compliance. They will serve as a senior quality resource for audit readiness, customer quality programs, corrective action management, compliance initiatives, and continuous improvement activities. Additionally, they will provide leadership and coordination across multiple functional areas to ensure effectiveness, consistency, and continual advancement of quality systems, quality controls, and business-critical quality programs and objectives.

Summary pay range: $77,968 - $146,321 annual salary.

The selected individual will be responsible for but not limited to the following obligations:

• Champion compliance with Hexcel policies, Quality Management System requirements, customer expectations, and regulatory standards while promoting a culture of quality, integrity, and accountability.
• Lead complex quality programs and strategic initiatives that support customer requirements, regulatory compliance, operational excellence, and business objectives.
• Serve as the site lead for key quality programs, including audit readiness, customer quality initiatives, corrective action management, compliance assessments, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Develop and execute project plans, coordinate cross-functional teams, and drive successful completion of high-impact quality initiatives.
• Lead customer, AS9100, Nadcap, and regulatory audit activities, ensuring effective corrective actions and sustained compliance.
• Provide technical leadership for quality system assessments, Global Quality initiatives, compliance reviews, investigations, and special projects.
• Partner with Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Leadership to identify risks, resolve complex quality issues, and improve product conformity, process capability, and customer satisfaction.
• Analyze quality performance metrics and operational trends to identify improvement opportunities, implement solutions, and verify effectiveness.
• Drive continuous improvement through Lean, Six Sigma, risk management, statistical analysis, and data-driven decision-making methodologies.
• Mentor and develop Quality Engineers and technical personnel while representing quality programs during customer engagements, audits, leadership reviews, and strategic business initiatives.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Quality, or related technical discipline required; master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in quality, manufacturing, or engineering roles, preferably within aerospace manufacturing.
• Demonstrated success leading complex quality programs involving customer requirements, regulatory compliance, audits, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Expert knowledge of AS9100, Nadcap, applicable regulatory requirements, and quality management systems.
• Advanced understanding of risk management, change management, statistical analysis, process capability, and structured problem-solving methodologies.
• Proven ability to lead customer, regulatory, and quality management system audits and drive sustainable corrective actions.
• Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to lead multiple high-impact initiatives and priorities simultaneously.
• Demonstrated ability to influence decisions, drive results, and lead cross-functional teams without direct authority.
• Experience applying Lean, Six Sigma, and data-driven continuous improvement methodologies; Black Belt certification preferred.
• ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), ASQ Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE), or equivalent certification strongly preferred.

Eligible candidates must be a: U.S. citizen, U.S. national, person lawfully admitted for permanent residence, temporary resident under sections 210(a) or 245(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, person admitted in refugee status, or person granted asylum.

Hexcel (NYSE: HXL) is a global leader in advanced composites technology, a leading producer of carbon fiber, and the world leader in honeycomb manufacturing for the commercial aerospace industry.

Hexcel is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected class.