Senior Quality Systems Engineer

PDW; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive BCBS medical, dental, a

401(k) with company match

Paid parental leave

On-site gym at Huntsville, AL

Life insurance

Employee assistance program (EAP)

Flexible leave options

Job summary

Performance Drone Works seeks a Senior Quality Systems Engineer to lead ETQ Reliance governance and own the QMS. You will drive adoption, audit readiness, and continuous improvement across Quality, Engineering, Operations, and Supply Chain.

The role requires AS9100 knowledge, hands-on eQMS administration, and the ability to translate requirements into scalable workflows. Travel and security clearance may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Industrial Technology, Business, or a related technical discipline.
• 8+ years of relevant professional quality systems or aerospace/manufacturing quality experience.
• 5+ years of Quality Systems, Quality Engineering, or related aerospace/manufacturing quality experience in ISO 9001 and/or AS9100 environments.
• AS9100 Rev D knowledge including internal auditing, CAPA, nonconformance, risk-based thinking, configuration management, product safety, and EEvidence requirements.
• 3+ years of hands-on eQMS administration or functional ownership; ETQ Reliance experience preferred.
• Experience managing multiple QMS processes: document control, training, CAPA, calibration, supplier qualification, receiving inspection, nonconformance, deviations, inspection management.
• Experience preparing for AS9100 certification, surveillance, audits; closing audit findings.
• Ability to translate quality requirements into controlled electronic workflows and scalable processes.
• Use of quality metrics, trends, and system data to drive corrective/preventive actions.
• Cross-functional work with Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, and Supply Chain to sustain quality improvements.
• Strong technical communication and training ability; experience delivering QMS/eQMS training.
• ISO/AS9100 Lead Auditor, Six Sigma, aerospace/defense experience, or ETQ implementation experience preferred.
• Eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret security clearance or higher.

Responsibilities

• Serve as ETQ Reliance owner, establishing governance, access, workflows, data integrity, and continuous improvement.
• Administer ETQ modules: Document Control, Training, CAPA, Calibration, Supplier Qualification, Receiving & Inspection, Non-Conformance, Deviations, and Inspection Management.
• Maintain AS9100 QMS compliance and audit readiness for internal, registrar, customer, and regulatory audits.
• Translate requirements into ETQ workflows, controls, approvals, and electronic records.
• Lead and support internal audits, corrective actions, nonconformances, and prevention of recurrence.
• Monitor QMS health via ETQ metrics, aging, trends, and calibration status.
• Collaborate with Quality, Engineering, Operations, and Supply Chain to resolve compliance gaps and strengthen controls.
• Scale ETQ-enabled QMS processes across PDW operations and future locations.

Skills

Quality systems

Cross-functional collaboration

Training & coaching

Process improvement

Audit coordination

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Industrial Technology

Tools

ETQ Reliance

Job description

Performance Drone Works (PDW) is building the next generation of tactical robotic systems used across defense, national security, and public safety missions. We are building a new center of engineering excellence to design our new category of tactical robotic systems and the industrial capacity to deliver them, bringing decisive airpower into the hands of every operator. We are not here to make promises; we are here to deliver real systems with real capabilities for real missions.

You will join a team of operators, engineers, and builders who solve hard problems with humility and focus. We design and produce multi-mission aerial systems that operators trust to perform in real-world conditions, reliably, repeatedly, and at scale. Our approach is grounded in operator-centered design, rapid iteration from field use, and U.S.-based manufacturing. We operate by a clear set of values: Mission First, Aim Farther, Own It, Win Together. This is how we build advantage and how we help protect our service members, our communities, and our country.

PDW is seeking a Senior Quality Systems Engineer to serve as the ETQ Reliance champion and functional owner while sustaining and maturing PDW’s AS9100-certified Quality Management System. This role will drive adoption, governance, and continuous improvement of the eQMS across current and future locations.

The ideal candidate will combine strong AS9100 knowledge with hands-on quality systems experience and translate requirements into scalable digital workflows. This individual will partner across Quality, Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, and Manufacturing Systems to improve compliance, audit readiness, and execution.

What You’ll Do

• Serve as PDW’s ETQ Reliance functional owner and champion, establishing system governance, user access, workflow standards, data integrity, adoption, and continuous improvement.
• Administer and optimize ETQ modules supporting Document Control, Training Management, Corrective Actions, Assets/Calibration & Maintenance, Supplier Qualification, Receiving & Inspection, Non-Conformance Reporting, Planned Deviations, and Inspection Management.
• Maintain AS9100 QMS compliance and audit readiness, ensuring processes, records, and objective evidence are complete and prepared for internal, registrar, customer, and regulatory audits.
• Translate AS9100, customer, and PDW requirements into effective ETQ workflows, controls, approvals, and electronic records.
• Lead and support internal audits, corrective actions, nonconformance management, effectiveness verification, and systemic prevention of recurrence.
• Monitor QMS health through ETQ metrics, aging, trends, training compliance, calibration status, supplier performance, inspection results, and corrective-action effectiveness.
• Partner with Quality, Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, and Manufacturing to resolve compliance gaps, strengthen process controls, and improve quality-system execution.
• Standardize and scale ETQ-enabled QMS processes across PDW operations and future locations while maintaining compliance, traceability, and accountability.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Industrial Technology, Business, or a related technical discipline.
• 8+ years of relevant professional quality systems or aerospace/manufacturing quality experience.
• 5+ years of Quality Systems, Quality Engineering, or related aerospace/manufacturing quality experience, including direct responsibility within an ISO 9001 and/or AS9100-controlled environment.
• Demonstrated working knowledge of AS9100 Rev D, including internal auditing, corrective action, nonconformance control, risk-based thinking, configuration management, product safety, and objective-evidence requirements.
• 3+ years of hands-on eQMS administration or functional ownership experience, including workflow configuration, permissions, user support, reporting, data integrity, and system governance; ETQ Reliance experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple QMS processes such as document control, training, CAPA/corrective action, calibration, supplier qualification, receiving inspection, nonconformance, deviations, and inspection management.
• Proven experience preparing for and successfully supporting AS9100 certification, surveillance, internal, and/or customer audits, including closure of audit findings.
• Demonstrated ability to translate quality-system requirements into controlled electronic workflows and scalable business processes.
• Proven ability to use quality metrics, audit results, trends, and system data to identify risk, improve process performance, and drive corrective or preventive actions.
• Demonstrated success working cross-functionally with Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, and Supply Chain to implement and sustain quality-system improvements.
• Strong technical communication and training capability, including experience developing procedures, delivering QMS/eQMS training, and communicating effectively with auditors and leadership.
• ISO/AS9100 Lead Auditor certification, Six Sigma certification, aerospace/defense experience, or prior ETQ Reliance implementation/administration accomplishments are preferred.
• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret security clearance or higher, as required.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Ability to sit, stand, bend, reach, climb, and move about regularly throughout the day and lift / carry up to 50 pounds. Must have manual dexterity to operate standard office equipment as well as manufacturing and test equipment, industrial computers, HMIs, and handheld diagnostic tools. Must be physically capable of walking production floors, accessing equipment in constrained spaces, participating in factory acceptance testing, and supporting on-site system deployments.

Work Environment

This position operates primarily in a professional, climate-controlled office, warehouse, manufacturing, and shipping environment. At times, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), such as safety gloves, goggles, and hearing protection, may be required. Standard working hours are Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM, with occasional overtime based on operational needs. The role operates in a fast-paced environment involving the movement, packing, and staging of shipments and requires approximately 10-25% domestic and international travel, as needed.

Benefits

• Comprehensive BCBS medical, dental, and vision coverage; 80% sponsored by the company.
• Safe Harbor 401(K) with company match.
• Paid Parental Leave.
On-site gym at Huntsville, AL & Denver, CO locations.
• Employer provided life insurance.
• Robust Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• A work environment that encourages teamwork and innovation.
• Competitive salary, generous paid time off (PTO), and flexible leave options.

EEO Statement

PDW is an equal opportunity employer that upholds all federal and state non-discrimination laws. We ensure a fair and unbiased evaluation for employment for all qualified candidates regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, medical condition, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.