Sr. Quality Engineer

American Rheinmetall; Windham (ME); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

American Rheinmetall is seeking a Senior Quality Engineer to lead quality initiatives in defense manufacturing, align with DoD standards, and drive continuous improvement from production to delivery.

You will oversee audits, supplier quality, and documentation while mentoring junior engineers and ensuring regulatory compliance across FAR/DFARS/ITAR. A strong background in SPC, Six Sigma, and Lean is essential for success.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, quality, or related field; master's preferred.
• Familiarity with FAR/DFARS and ITAR compliance for government contracting.
• Strong knowledge of SPC, Six Sigma, and Lean principles.
• Experience with quality software tools (Minitab, SAP, QMS).
• ASQ CQE or Lean Six Sigma Black Belt are desirable.

Responsibilities

• Support quality assurance activities for munitions production, including inspection, testing, and documentation.
• Ensure compliance with DoD standards and government regulations.
• Conduct internal and external audits, including supplier assessments and government inspections.
• Develop and maintain quality documentation (SOPs, control plans, FMEAs, PPAPs).
• Mentor junior engineers and provide training on quality systems.

Skills

Leadership

SPC

Six Sigma

Lean principles

Quality tools

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Minitab

SAP

QMS

Job description

Step into a role that is mission critical. We're looking for a Senior Quality Engineer ready to bring precision, expertise, and leadership to the world of government munitions contracting. This is an opportunity to play a key role in ensuring products meet the highest Department of Defense standards, comply with federal regulations, and support operations where performance and reliability truly matter. If you have a strong background in quality systems, defense manufacturing, and continuous improvement, this role offers the chance to make a measurable impact in a highly regulated, high-stakes environment while helping drive excellence from the production floor to final delivery.

Essential Functions

• Display solid knowledge of engineering disciplines
• Support quality assurance activities for munitions production, including inspection, testing, and documentation
• Ensure compliance with DoW, US military specifications, ISO 9001, AS9100 and other applicable standards
• Conduct internal and external audits, including supplier assessments and government inspections
• Support supplier quality initiatives, including new sourcing and supplier development efforts
• Develop and maintain quality documentation, including SOPs, work instructions, control plans, FMEAs, and PPAPs
• Support root cause analysis and corrective actions for non-conformances and process deviations
• Collaborate with engineering, production, and program management to resolve quality issues and improve processes
• Prepare reports and metrics for government contract deliverables and quality performance tracking
• Mentor junior engineers and provide training on quality systems and defense standards
• Travel: Occasional domestic travel - up to 25%

Essential Skills

• Excellent communication and documentation abilities
• Proven leadership in cross-functional teams
• Commitment to safety, precision, and mission-critical performance

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

• May supervise junior quality engineers and other quality personnel

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in engineering, quality, or related field (master's preferred)
• Familiarity with government contracting requirements, including FAR/DFARS and ITAR compliance
• Strong understanding of statistical process control (SPC), Six Sigma, and Lean principles
• Experience with quality software tools (e.g., Minitab, SAP, QMS platforms)
• Certifications such as ASQ CQE, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, or equivalent are highly desirable
• Ability to obtain and maintain security clearance if required
• Experience:
  • 5+ years of experience in quality engineering, preferably in defense or munitions manufacturing
  • Strong knowledge of quality control methodologies, testing equipment, and statistical analysis.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (as demonstrated through experience, training and/or testing)

• Read, write, and speak English, as well as see and hear effectively.
• Possess basic computer skills, (Excel, Word, etc.) and input data.
• Understand the statistics of process control and improvement
• Follow instructions.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Possess the desire to be proficient and grow professionally, both as a team player and as an individual contributor.
• Strong attention to detail and