Sr. Quality Engineer

Element Materials Technology; Huntington Beach (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Element Materials Technology in Huntington Beach, CA, is seeking a Senior Quality Assurance Engineer (Aerospace) to lead QA projects ensuring our QMS compliance, test and specimen processes, and data integrity across teams and customers. You will drive continuous improvement, manage audits, and collaborate with suppliers and accreditation bodies.

The role requires 7+ years in QA/Quality Engineering within aerospace, strong analytical skills, and experience with ISO 17025, ISO 9001, and QA data

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Sciences or a related technical discipline.

Responsibilities

• Lead QA projects to improve process capability and reliability.
• Respond to complex QA inquiries from lab personnel and customers with technical guidance.
• Manage cross-functional teams through RCA/CAPA to address nonconformances and trends.
• Oversee proficiency testing and internal round robin programs, including procurement and preparation of materials.

Skills

QA/QC

Root Cause Analysis

Statistical Analysis

Leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Science

Tools

LIMS

Excel

Job description

Overview

Element has an opportunity for a Senior Quality Assurance Engineer (Aerospace) to join our rapidly expanding team. The Senior Quality Assurance Engineer (Aerospace) is responsible for leading projects and managing cross‑functional activities which assure the success of the Quality Management System (QMS). This role ensures that all specimen preparation, testing, and support processes meet the company’s high standards of performance, repeatability, and compliance. The Senior QA Engineer collaborates closely with customers, accreditation bodies, and the operations team to achieve conformity to requirements, identify risks, and continuously improve QA processes.

Salary: $110,000- $135,000/hr DOE

Responsibilities

• Calculate, validate, and report key quality performance metrics on a routine basis.
• Respond to complex quality‑related inquiries from both laboratory personnel and customers, providing technical guidance and timely resolutions.
• Lead cross‑functional teams through root cause analysis and corrective/preventive action (RCA/CAPA) processes to address nonconformances and underperforming trends.
• Oversee Proficiency Testing Provider (PTP) and Internal Round Robin (IRR) programs, including:o Identification of participation requirementso Procurement and preparation of test materialso Assessment of homogeneity and stabilityo Statistical evaluation of resultso Implementation of corrective actions for outliers or anomalies
• Develop protocols and procure materials for technical studies, experiments, and validation activities.
• Maintain the approved vendor list and provide quality oversight for supplier qualifications and material purchases.
• Manage the organization’s change management system, ensuring appropriate documentation, risk evaluation, and approval processes.
• Support and/or lead internal and customer audits, including preparation, execution, and follow‑up of findings.
• Lead quality engineering projects aimed at improving process capability, testing accuracy, and system reliability.
• Prepare and deliver both formal and informal presentations on quality and testing topics to diverse audiences, including management, technical staff, and customers.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the Quality Assurance Manager to support departmental and organizational goals.

Skills / Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Sciences or a related technical discipline.
• 7+ years in Quality Assurance, Quality Engineering, or Laboratory Quality Management, with at least 2 years of experience managing or participating in PTP and IRR programs or other pertinent experience in engineering.
• Experience with aerospace manufacturing OEM requirements (Airbus, GE, Rolls Royce, Nadcap, etc.) required
• Strong knowledge of QA/QC principles, proficiency testing, and statistical analysis.
• Working experience with applicable standards such as ISO 17025, ISO 9001, and ASNT guidelines. Experience with data analysis, trend monitoring, and CAPA systems.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and QA data systems; experience with Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) is an asset.
• Understanding of calibration, measurement uncertainty, and inter‑laboratory comparison principles.
• Work independently and effectively with little supervision
• Able to prioritize work and keep key stakeholders informed of progress
• Excellent analytical, problem‑solving, and decision‑making abilities.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to explain technical data clearly.
• Highly organized and detail‑oriented with a proactive approach to process improvement.
• Effective leadership and collaboration skills across technical and operational teams.

Quality Assurance Engineer operates in a professional technical environment that may include laboratory, office, and production settings. This role requires frequent collaboration with laboratory technicians, engineers, and management teams to monitor and improve quality performance.

• Physical Requirements:
• May occasionally lift or move materials up to 45 pounds.
• Prolonged periods of sitting, standing, and computer work.
• Occasional travel to field sites, vendor facilities, or customer locations may be required.
• Work Conditions:
• Standard business hours with flexibility to support testing schedules or audits as needed.
• May involve working around laboratory instruments, radiation testing equipment, or other controlled materials (following all applicable safety protocols).
• Work may include exposure to moderate noise, temperature variations, and laboratory environments requiring use of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment).

This position requires access to export‑controlled commodities, technical data, technology, software, and services. U.S. citizenship, U.S. legal permanent resident status, protected person status under 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3), or U.S. Government export authorization is required. Any offer of employment is contingent upon the employer obtaining the necessary export authorization, including, if required, an export license from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security, the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Defense Trade Controls, or other applicable government agency.

Company Overview

Element is one of the fastest growing testing, inspection and certification businesses in the world. Globally we have more than 9,000 brilliant minds operating from 270 sites across 30 countries. Together we share an ambitious purpose to ‘Make tomorrow safer than today’.

When failure in use is not an option, we help customers make certain that their products, materials, processes and services are safe, compliant and fit for purpose. From early R&D, through complex regulatory approvals and into production, our global laboratory network of scientists, engineers, and technologists support customers to achieve assurance over product quality, sustainable outcomes, and market access.

While we are proud of our global reach, working at Element feels like being part of a smaller company. We empower you to take charge of your career, and reward excellence and integrity with growth and development.

Industries across the world depend on our care, attention to detail and the absolute accuracy of our work. The role we have to play in creating a safer world is much bigger than our organization.

Diversity Statement

At Element, we always take pride in putting our people first. We are an equal opportunity employer that recognizes diversity and inclusion as fundamental to our Vision of becoming “the world’s most trusted testing partner”.

All suitably qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment on the basis of objective work related criteria and without regard for the following: age, disability, ethnic origin, gender, marital status, race, religion, responsibility of dependents, sexual orientation, or gender identity or other characteristics in accordance with the applicable governing laws or other characteristics in accordance with the applicable governing laws.