Senior Quality Engineer: Manufacturing & Process

Planetlabs; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 136,000 - 181,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Equity

Paid time off

Parental leave

Tuition reimbursement

Home office reimbursement

Job summary

Planet is seeking an experienced Quality Engineer for our San Francisco manufacturing facility. You will lead quality initiatives, implement QMS, and collaborate with design, manufacturing, test, and supply chain to improve reliability and reduce costs.

You will mentor technicians, perform hands-on inspections, and support audits. A strong background in GD&T, precision tooling, and Lean/6Sigma is required to drive process improvements and ensure product quality.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical/Industrial Engineering or related technical discipline.
• 6+ years in quality engineering, QA, or manufacturing operations.
• 2+ years hands-on experience as a quality technician or inspection engineer.
• Ability to support Quality Leads/Managers in managing quality workflows, technician activities, and QMS initiatives.
• Working knowledge of ISO 9001, AS9100, or similar QMS (implementation/audit support preferable).
• Excellent ability to read and interpret complex mechanical drawings and GD&T.
• Proficiency with precision tools (calipers, micrometers, height gauges, CMM/optical).
• Lean Six Sigma Green/Black Belt and/or ASQ CQE/CQA/CQM desirable.

Responsibilities

• Implement Quality Management Systems (QMS) in partnership with the Quality Engineer Lead.
• Mentor quality technicians on inspection techniques, blueprints, and SOPs.
• Prepare for internal/external audits and deliver KPIs to leadership.
• Develop standardized inspection protocols for incoming material, in-process testing, and release criteria.
• Provide hands-on quality engineering support to production to resolve line-side nonconformances.
• Monitor quality metrics and dashboards for leadership visibility.
• Lead Lean Kaizen events and PFMEA sessions to strengthen processes.
• Identify risks, perform root-cause analysis (8D/5-Why/Fishbone), and drive corrective actions.
• Manage MRB processes and collaborate with supply chain on SCARs.
• Author/update inspection guides, SOPs, and QC plans.

Skills

Quality engineering

Quality assurance

Lean manufacturing

Root cause analysis

GD&T

Inspection techniques

CMM/optical tools

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

CMM/optical comparator

Calipers

Micrometers

Job description

Planet is seeking an experienced Quality Engineer for our San Francisco manufacturing facility. You will lead quality initiatives, implement QMS, and collaborate with design, manufacturing, test, and supply chain to improve reliability and reduce costs.

You will mentor technicians, perform hands-on inspections, and support audits. A strong background in GD&T, precision tooling, and Lean/6Sigma is required to drive process improvements and ensure product quality.