Senior Quality Engineer

Leonardo DRS; West Plains (MO); On-site; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Leonardo DRS in West Plains, MO is seeking a Senior Quality Engineer to lead program quality systems and drive improvements across multiple disciplines. You will translate customer requirements into actionable quality plans and mentor engineers, technicians, and inspectors to meet quality milestones.

The role emphasizes internal audits, supplier quality, and root-cause analysis to resolve critical issues on military and aerospace programs. Strong technical and communication skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field and 5+ years of quality experience.
• Proficient in SPC tools and analytics with ROI reporting capability.
• Familiar with ISO/AS9100, Six Sigma and military specifications.
• Ability to read blueprints and communicate with cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop and improve quality system processes across programs.
• Lead quality plans translating customer requirements into actions.
• Mentor engineers, technicians, and inspectors and drive improvements.
• Coordinate root cause analysis and corrective actions with stakeholders.
• Perform internal audits and monitor supplier quality initiatives.
• Provide technical support to assembly, test, and inspection teams.

Skills

SPC tools

Root cause analysis

Blueprint reading

Leadership

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field

Tools

ISO/AS9100

Six Sigma

SPC software

Job description

Location: West Plains, MO 65775

Job ID:114905

Senior Quality Engineer

Job Responsibilities

• Responsible for developing program or project quality system processes and supporting product quality improvements
• Lead the efforts to develop, maintain and deploy quality plans and activities that translate customer requirements into planned activities
• Ability to lead a group of engineers, technicians, and inspectors
• Responsible for leading groups of engineers on customer programs or projects to achieve quality goals and milestones
• Responsible for driving process and product improvement initiatives across multiple functional disciplines
• Perform analyses of program requirements and prepare responsive quality plans, procedures, schedules and resource allocations to assure optimum quality support
• Review and approve engineering / test and contractor documentation and provide input to assure that appropriate quality requirements are addressed
• Develop and implement formalized quality system processes, procedures, and work instructions
• Lead the efforts to gather, organize, monitor, analyze and report on information on products and processes
• Provide ongoing quality system support to include performing internal audits, ensuring implementation of root cause corrective actions
• Lead product quality improvement teams, Material Review Boards and Failure Review Board
• Evaluate and dispose of non-conforming material
• Provide technical support for Assembly / Test / Inspection personnel to include executing workmanship improvement plans, developing inspection methods and criteria, specifying appropriate sampling plans, interpreting, and revising specifications, and processing non-conforming materials
• Act as main customer and senior management interface in resolving customer quality issues and driving root cause and corrective action on process and product quality issues
• Develop and deploy SPC initiatives internally and at suppliers
• Evaluate and make recommendations on critical supplier selections and drives supplier continuous improvement processes, including leading on-site audits, evaluating prototypes, and reviewing and approving supplier corrective actions
• Lead and execute customer quality program requirements
• Monitor development activities to assure contract compliance, as required
• Develop new procedural controls to address all aspects of quality programs
• Develop and generate statistical reports on inspection activities and results, new product or process testing results, etc. and recommends action as required
• Establish programs to evaluate the precision and accuracy of production and processing equipment and testing, measurement, and analytical facilities
• Responsible for financial impacts of quality process controls and inspections
• Support, communicate, reinforce, and defend the mission, values, and culture of the organization

Job Responsibilities Part II

• Attend appropriate customer, business, or program meetings
• Prepare quality engineering reports and recommendations
• Monitor and mentor junior quality engineers
• Provide regular reporting of progress and status
• Completion of assigned task on time and meeting technical requirements

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related technical field or equivalent experience and a minimum of 5 years of experience
• Proficient technical expertise and application domain knowledge
• Proficient in deploying and using Statistical Process Control (SPC) tools and analytics to predict failure trends and report quality ROI metrics to executives
• Proficient with ISO/AS9100 Standards, Six Sigma tools, statistics
• Ability to understand military specifications and to read blueprints
• Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, communication and writing skills
• Ability to define problems and drive to root cause and effective corrective action
• Electrical Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Supplier Quality Engineering

Benefits

• Competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Company contribution to a health savings account
• Telemedicine
• Life and disability insurance
• Legal insurance
• 401(k) savings plan
• Wellness programs focusing on physical, emotional, and financial well‑being
• Career‑growth and professional development programs and activities
• Flexible work schedules with a 9/80 program
• Competitive vacation, health/emergency leave, paid parental leave, and community service hours
• Some employees are eligible for limited benefits only

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Leonardo DRS, Inc. and its subsidiaries provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.