Sr. Quality Engineer

Job Description

Sr. Quality Engineer (Mid to Late Career)

Rock Island, IL

Davenport, IA

Quad Cities, IA/IL

Job Type: Full-time, Part-time, or Contract (Must be Local)

Pay: $90,000-$125,000 per year

The Opportunity

Teach, learn, and grow every day in a fast-paced and agile manufacturing research environment. Working within a small and diverse engineering team, you will serve as the Sr. Quality Engineer supporting the warfighter through defense projects in additive manufacturing and technology development.

About ASTRO America

The Applied Science & Technology Research Organization of America (ASTRO America) is a 501c3 think tank and research institute focused on U.S. manufacturing policy and technology advancement for DoD and commercial industry. The Midwest Team is currently supporting the advancement of Additive Friction Stir Deposition for the U.S. Army at Rock Island Arsenal, IL.

Job Description

Lead and manage the quality program to ensure products and processes meet company and industry standards by designing and implementing quality control systems, leading compliance and audit preparation, conducting inspections and testing, analyzing quality data, and driving continuous improvement. The ideal candidate for this role will have leadership experience in a manufacturing quality role and working knowledge of CNC metalworking operations and 3D printing processes.

Key Responsibilities

Process Design & Implementation: Develop and establish quality control processes, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and quality standards for aerospace customers according to AS9100 and Nadcap.

Testing & Inspection: Perform regular inspections and tests on raw materials, components, processes, and final products to verify they meet specifications.

Data Analysis & Reporting: Analyze production and quality data, generate reports on quality metrics, identify trends, and communicate findings to relevant teams.

Problem Solving & Improvement: Conduct root cause analyses for process failures and defects, develop corrective actions, and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency and reduce errors.

Compliance & Audits: Ensure adherence to industry standards, safety regulations, and other compliance requirements through audits and process monitoring. A key task here will be AS9100 certification for the production facility and NADCAP accreditation for the materials testing laboratory.

Engineering: Support application development, mechanical design, 3D printing operations, data collection / management, modeling & simulation, R&D, as needed based on background.

Essential Skills

Technical Knowledge: Proficient in statistical analysis methods and software. Basic understanding of mechanical engineering concepts to include machine design, thermodynamics, machine controls, and material properties. Must have some hands-on knowledge of CNC metal working equipment and controls, with basic understanding of CAD software and machine drawings.

Project Management: Ability to manage multiple tasks, projects, and quality initiatives effectively.

Communication: Good verbal and written communication skills to coordinate with colleagues, clients, and contractors. Proficiency in using computers for record-keeping, communication, data analysis, and data management such as SAP/SQL based applications.

Safety Awareness: A high level of awareness of industrial safety hazards and best practices for safe work environments.

Work Environment

On-Site Only: Rock Island, IL: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required). This position is NOT eligible for remote work or telework.

Schedule and Travel: Typical schedule is Mon-Fri, 8-Hour Workday. 10% travel required to one offsite location in the United States.

Physical Demands: Typical work environment is 50% office and 50% manufacturing floor. The manufacturing environment can be mobile and physically demanding, involving activities such as climbing, lifting, and working in various physical positions.

Additional Requirements/Details

Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 5 years of quality experience in a manufacturing environment. Degree in mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, mechatronics, or a closely related field is preferred.

High School Diploma and a minimum of 10 years of quality experience in a manufacturing environment.

Must be a United States Citizen and be able to pass a Government Contracting Criminal Background Check.

Experience in the aviation or defense sectors is preferred.

Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) is a plus.

Benefits:

401(k)

Paid time off

Insurance: Health, Dental, Life, Vision

Professional Development and Training

Full-time