Senior Quality Engineer

Singularity Defense; Gardena (CA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Singularity Defense in Gardena, CA is seeking a seasoned Quality Engineer to own the development of quality systems and day-to-day quality functions across inspection, NCR management, and CAPA.

You will collaborate with engineering, production, and supply chain to sustain quality processes for our complex integrated product spanning mechanical, electrical, software, and propulsion systems. This role requires hands-on problem solving and effective communication in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of quality engineering in aerospace/defense manufacturing
• AS9100 or IATF16949 knowledge at a procedural level
• Hands-on NCR and CAPA with root-cause analysis
• Experience with FAI per AS9102
• GD&T per ASME Y14.5; extract inspection requirements from drawings
• DFMEA/PFMEA and control plans experience
• Familiar with 3D measurement systems

Responsibilities

• Author and maintain quality procedures and records across inspection, nonconformance control, corrective action, and first article inspection processes
• Develop and execute receiving, in-process, and final inspection processes; define acceptance criteria and traveler structure
• Document and process NCRs and execute CAPAs using structured root cause analysis
• Lead or support DFMEA and PFMEA activities with engineering and production
• Plan and execute FAI per AS9102, including dimensional and functional accountability
• Witness, document, and approve acceptance test results as part of product release
• Participate in engineering design reviews; support Key Characteristics integration
• Review ECOs and drawing revisions for impact on inspection criteria
• Support supplier quality activities including CoC review and SCAR follow-up
• Collect and maintain quality metrics data; support quality reporting and mgmt reviews
• Participate as a qualified internal auditor in the audit program

Skills

Quality engineering

AS9100

NCR/CAPA

DFMEA/PFMEA

First Article Inspection

GD&T

Root cause analysis

Auditing

SCAR

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Manufacturing/Aerospace

Tools

3D scanning

CMM

Excel

MS Office

Job description

Singularity is an Aerospace & Defense startup headquartered in Gardena, CA. Our founding team hails from SpaceX, Anduril, and Lockheed Martin, and we are backed by Joint Staff-level military leadership and several Silicon Valley firms. With a world-class business development & leadership team already in place, we are well positioned to capitalize on already overwhelming demand.

Role Overview

We are looking for a Quality Engineer to own both the development of our quality systems and the day-to-day execution of core quality functions across inspection, nonconformance management, and corrective action. You will work closely with engineering, production, and supply chain teams to build and sustain quality processes for a complex integrated product spanning mechanical, electrical, software, and propulsion systems. This role requires equal comfort writing a procedure and processing an NCR — often on the same day.

Key Responsibilities

• Author and maintain quality procedures, work instructions, and records across inspection, nonconformance control, corrective action, and first article inspection processes
• Develop and execute receiving, in-process, and final inspection processes; define acceptance criteria, inspection hold points, and traveler structure for production operations
• Document and process nonconformance reports (NCRs) and execute corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs) using a structured root cause analysis methodology (8D, A3, 5-Why, or equivalent)
• Lead or support DFMEA and PFMEA activities in collaboration with engineering and production teams; apply outputs to inspection plans, control plans, and work instructions
• Plan and execute First Article Inspection (FAI) per AS9102, including dimensional and functional characteristic accountability and formal FAI package approval
• Witness, document, and approve acceptance test results as part of the product release process; maintain test records as objective evidence of product conformance
• Participate as the quality representative in engineering design reviews; support Key Characteristics identification and integration into production travelers and inspection controls
• Review engineering change orders (ECOs) and drawing revisions for impact on inspection criteria, Key Characteristics, FAI status, and production controls
• Support supplier quality activities including CoC review, nonconformance disposition, and supplier corrective action request (SCAR) issuance and follow-up
• Collect and maintain quality metrics data; support quality performance reporting and management review
• Participate as a qualified internal auditor in the organization's audit program

Who You Are

• You're equally at home writing a procedure and working hands-on at an inspection station
• You take ownership of problems — including their root causes — and follow them through to verified resolution
• You're comfortable in a fast-paced environment where processes are still being built, not just executed
• You communicate clearly across engineering, operations, and leadership

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Aerospace, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical field
• 7+ years of quality engineering experience in aerospace, defense, automotive, or other high-reliability manufacturing environment
• Working knowledge of AS9100, IATF 16949, or equivalent quality management system standard at a procedural level
• Hands-on experience with NCR and CAPA processes using a structured root cause analysis methodology (8D, A3, 5-Why, or equivalent)
• Direct experience with First Article Inspection execution per AS9102
• Proficiency in GD&T per ASME Y14.5; able to extract inspection and measurement requirements from engineering drawings
• Experience contributing to DFMEA and/or PFMEA development and associated control plan generation using a recognized methodology (AIAG/VDA or equivalent)
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite; experience building and maintaining Excel-based quality tracking tools
• Experience as a qualified internal auditor, or willingness to complete formal qualification training
• Experience with 3D scanning, portable CMM, or optical measurement systems (Creaform, FARO, Hexagon, Keyence, or equivalent) preferred

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Compensation:

Salary: $160000- $200000 + Equity + Benefits ( Healthcare, Vision, Dental, 401k, and Lunch)