Aerospace Quality Systems Engineer

Join a team where quality isnt just a requirement, its a passion. As a Quality Systems Engineer at Hytek Finishes, youll play a critical role in upholding industry-leading standards that keep aircraft safe and customers confident. Bring your problem-solving mindset and help us set the bar even higher.

Quality Systems EngineerJob Overview

Title: Quality Systems Engineer Reports to: Quality Manager Location: Kent, WA Type: Exempt, Full-Time Schedule: Monday - Friday, day shift, with ability to work for portions of an off shift as needed.

Position Summary

The Quality Systems Engineer is responsible for maintaining and improving the Quality Management System (QMS) for Hytek Finishes, compliant with AS9100 and NADCAP requirements. This role focuses on control planning, reviewing and interpreting new customer and industry specifications, and leading internal audits to ensure compliance with regulatory, customer, and accreditation requirements. The Quality Systems Engineer collaborates closely with operations, special process owners, and sales and customer service teams to ensure consistent process control and exceptional product quality.

The Ideal Candidate

Has an entrepreneurial mindset, thinking and acting like an owner, with a strong sense of urgency and bias for action. Is comfortable with ambiguity and constant change, nimble and responsive in the short-term, while driving progress on longer-term initiatives and process improvements. Has emotional intelligence and is able to build strong trust with leaders and employees of diverse backgrounds and situations at all levels. Is an exceptional communicator in both written and verbal interactions, clear, concise, and courageous in giving tough but supportive feedback when needed.

Key Responsibilities

Quality Management System Compliance

• Maintain and improve the QMS in accordance with AS9100 requirements.
• Support NADCAP accreditation and periodic audits for applicable disciplines.
• Ensure documentation accuracy across procedures, work instructions, traveler/route sheets, and quality records.
• Support corrective and preventive actions (CAPA), including root cause analysis, containment, and effectiveness verification.
• Coordinate customer quality requirements and flow down into internal processes.

Work Instruction & Control Planning Development & Maintenance

• Develop and maintain work instructions, process flows, and inspection checkpoints for operations.
• Ensure process sequence and process parameters are configured in ERP.
• Develop and maintain control plans per customer specifications, process capabilities, and risk assessments.
• Maintain required controlled plan approvals between Hytek and our customers.

Specification Review & Requirement Translation

• Maintain up-to-date internal standards, ensuring alignment with the latest technical, customer, and regulatory requirements.
• Review and interpret new or revised customer, OEM, industry, and regulatory specifications.
• Identify changes needed in processing parameters, testing, documentation, or controls, and communicate updates across affected departments.
• Maintain the document library with up-to-date and approved documentation.

Internal Auditing

• Plan, conduct, and document internal audits covering AS9100 clauses, NADCAP special processes, calibration, training, and recordkeeping.
• Track findings, support root cause analysis, and implementation of effective corrective actions.
• Help maintain readiness for customer audits, third-party AS9100 audits, and NADCAP audits.

Continuous Improvement

• Analyze quality data, nonconformances, rework escapes, audit trends to identify improvement opportunities.
• Support productivity and continuous improvement initiatives focused on process stability, scrap reduction, and improved compliance.
• Promote standardization and best practices across all processes.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Engineering, Materials, Chemistry, or related technical field.
• 3 years of experience in aerospace or a highly regulated manufacturing/service environment.
• Experience in AS9100 QMS requirements and an understanding of NADCAP special process standards.
• Ability to interpret aerospace specifications, material, process requirements, and engineering drawings.
• Strong knowledge of root cause analysis tools (5 Whys, fishbone, 8D).
• Ability to perform internal audits.
• Knowledge of SPC and process capability analysis.
• Strong computer skills using MS Office products. QMS and ERP system experience desired, Syteline experience preferred.
• Experience in surface finishing environments, chemical processing, plating, anodize, paint coatings, etc.

Required Qualifications

• Must have a regular and dependable attendance record.
• Must be authorized to work in the U.S. An export license will be required to work in all areas of the facility for non-U.S. persons.
• Must be able to pass a pre-employment drug screening.

Essential Mental/Physical Demands

• Extensive use of hands in writing, use of computer, and other office equipment.
• Sitting for long periods of time in an office environment.
• Ability to travel on airplanes or in vehicles for long periods of time.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 lbs. on an occasional basis.
• Within the production environment, you may be occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes, or airborne particles, and fumes from metal finishing chemicals. Temperatures in the production environment can fluctuate with outside weather conditions. Safety glasses may be required in the production environment.

Full Benefits Package

• Medical, Dental, Vision
• 401(k) matching
• Performance Share incentive compensation
• Profit Sharing Plan
• 3-weeks paid time off to start
• Paid community service day
• Tuition reimbursement
• Parental leave
• Short-term disability
• Long-term disability
• Life insurance
• Long-term care plan options
• 10 paid holidays
• Onsite health services, including access to a massage therapist.

Salary Range

• $85,000 - $110,000. The pay range and total compensation package listed above is the expected pay offered for this position at the start of employment. Your pay will be based on multiple factors, including and not limited to your relevant experience, level of experience, and skillset, while balancing internal equity relative to other employees. Hytek is committed to fair, unbiased compensation, along with competitive benefits.

Application Process

• Please apply at www.hytekfinishes.com/careers with an up-to-date resume and your current contact information.
• If you are a qualified candidate, we will set you up with a 30-minute phone call with a recruiter to learn more about your experience and to tell you more about the job, compensation, and benefits.
• The recruiter will reach out should we move forward with the next steps.

Hytek Finishes is an Equal Opportunity Employer

• It is Hyteks policy to make all employment decisions without regard to an individuals sex, gender, including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, race, including traits historically associated with race, including hair texture and protective hairstyles, such as braids, locks, and twists, creed, religion, including religious dress and grooming, color, national origin, ancestry, including association, affiliation, or participation with persons or activities related to national origin, English-proficiency or accent, or immigration status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital or domestic partner status, age, veteran or military status, and any other categories protected by applicable state, local, or federal law.