Senior Quality Engineer

Vogrinc Search Group; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

The Senior Quality Engineer will lead quality activities at the Detroit, MI facility for a precision manufacturing environment serving military vehicle programs and automotive customers.

Responsibilities include maintaining the QMS, driving ISO 9001 certification, and ensuring products meet customer and regulatory requirements. A hands-on leader with strong floor presence is required.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5+ years of quality engineering in ISO 9001 environments.
• Experience with low-volume/high-mix, metal fabrication or machining.
• Strong GD&T, drawing interpretation, and inspection methods.
• Familiarity with defense standards (ITAR, AS9100) a plus.
• Knowledge of PPAP, APQP, and core tools in automotive programs.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and lead the company QMS, ensuring ISO 9001 compliance.
• Drive audits, gap analyses, and readiness with external auditors.
• Develop quality plans, work instructions, and inspection checkpoints.
• Lead CAPA, 8D, and root-cause analyses for non-conformances.
• Implement FAI procedures for prototypes and low-volume parts.
• Manage calibration programs for gauges and measuring equipment.
• Collaborate with production, engineering, and suppliers on quality issues.
• Prepare metrics and reports for leadership reviews and customers.

Skills

ISO 9001

AS9100 readiness

Root cause analysis

8D problem solving

FMEA

GD&T interpretation

CAPA process

Lean/Six Sigma

Statistical analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Quality or related

ASQ CQE or CQA preferred

Tools

CMM

Calipers

Micrometers

Gage calibration equipment

Job description

Seeking a talented Senior Quality Engineer to lead quality engineering activities for a precision manufacturing company that has been a trusted partner for military vehicle programs and automotive customers for 80 years.

The Senior Quality Engineer owns and maintains the company’s QMS, drives ISO 9001:2015 certification, maintains shop-floor quality procedures and inspection controls, and ensures products and processes meet company, customer, and regulatory requirements. This is a high-mix/low-volume, metal fabrication, machining, product development, and prototyping environment that requires a hands-on quality leader with a strong floor presence.

The position is based onsite at the company’s Detroit, MI facility and qualified applicants must have current U.S. citizenship due to military security clearance requirements.

Responsibilities include:

• Maintain a strong presence on the manufacturing floor, mentoring and providing technical direction to production and quality staff on inspection methods, GD&T interpretation, and quality procedures.
• Lead the design, documentation, and implementation of the company’s QMS (quality manual, document control procedures, internal audit program, and corrective/preventive action (CAPA) process) and maintain compliance with ISO 9001 standards.
• Serve as representative for ISO 9001 certification, including readiness assessments, gap analysis, and coordination with external auditors. Establish and maintain a structured internal audit schedule covering processes, product lines, and supplier quality.
• Build a roadmap toward AS9100 readiness to support military vehicle program requirements, and IATF 16949 awareness for automotive customer programs and ensure compliance with defense industry standards and regulations (ITAR, AS9100, ISO).
• Develop, implement, and maintain quality plans, work instructions, inspection checkpoints, and standard operating procedures at each workstation across the shop.
• Establish First Article Inspection (FAI) procedures for new and revised parts that are appropriate for a prototype, low volume/high mix production environment, including IMDS reports and dimensional scanning.
• Implement and maintain a nonconforming material process and Material Review Board (MRB) disposition workflow.
• Own the gauge and tooling calibration program, ensuring measurement equipment is controlled, traceable, and audit ready.
• Review engineering drawings, specifications, and manufacturing documentation for quality compliance. Implement configuration and engineering change control to ensure the correct print revision is built and traceable for every job.
• Conduct root cause analysis (RCA) for product and process non-conformances and lead corrective and preventive action using structured methods (8D, 5 Whys, Fishbone, FMEA).
• Monitor key quality metrics and analyze inspection data to identify trends, risks, and process improvement opportunities, reducing scrap and rework.
• Support production and engineering teams in resolving quality issues and improving processes, including new product introductions and process changes with risk assessments and quality planning.
• Perform audits, inspections, and quality assessments of products, materials, and suppliers and collaborate with suppliers to resolve quality issues and maintain supplier quality standards.
• Serve as the quality point of contact for military and automotive customer audits, quality flow-down requirements, and contractual quality obligations. Maintain documentation and records required for defense contract compliance, including support for export control (ITAR/EAR) recordkeeping as applicable.
• Prepare quality metrics and reporting for leadership and customer reviews.

Requirements include:

• Supporting military programs may require the ability to obtain or maintain government program access and/or security clearance. Therefore, current U.S. citizenship is required for this role.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality Management, Manufacturing, or related field. ASQ certification (CQE, CQA) preferred. Equivalent education/experience will be considered.
• 5+ years of quality engineering experience in an ISO 9001 certified, low volume/high mix, metal fabrication, or machining manufacturing environment required. Experience in defense with AS9100 and/or defense/military supplier quality requirements and/or familiarity with IATF 16949 or automotive customer quality systems (PPAP, APQP, Core Tools) preferred.
• Familiarity with ITAR/export control recordkeeping requirements a plus.
• Proficient in interpreting technical drawings, specifications, and manufacturing processes; strong GD&T and blueprint reading skills, able to work from engineering drawings on one-off and short-run parts.
• Demonstrated knowledge of ISO 9001:2015 requirements and audit processes; experience standing up or maturing a Quality Management System strongly preferred.
• Hands-on experience with precision measurement equipment (CMM, calipers, micrometers, gauges) and calibration programs.
• Lean/Six Sigma certification equivalent expertise in root cause analysis and continuous process improvement a plus.
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, and organizational skills, with experience in quality management systems and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills to work with internal teams, suppliers, and customers.