Salary Range 115,000 - 125,000 (Plus Bonus)The Senior Quality Assurance Engineer (Sr. QAE) is a critical leadership role responsible for owning and advancing the Quality Assurance function at Westland Technologies in a defense-industrial manufacturing environment. This position is designed for a seasoned quality professional experienced in aerospace, defense, or other highly regulated manufacturing sectors, where discipline, traceability, and customer confidence are paramount.The Sr. QAE will serve as the site Quality Assurance authority, ensuring compliance with ISO 9001:2015 and customer-specific requirements while driving a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and risk-based thinking. As the primary customer-facing Quality representative, this role requires confidence interfacing with primes, government representatives, and auditors.This is a hands-on leadership position requiring both strategic oversight and daily engagement on the manufacturing floor.Key ResponsibilitiesQuality Leadership & StrategyAct as a site Quality leader, setting direction and expectations for Quality Assurance activities.Align site Quality practices with corporate QMS strategy, policies, and procedures.Develop, maintain, and improve internal Quality policies, procedures, and work instructions.Mentor and develop Quality Engineers, inspectors, and cross-functional team members in quality principles and tools.Quality Management System (ISO 9001:2015)Ensure site maintains compliance with ISO 9001:2015 requirements.Lead internal audits, support external audits, and ensure timely and effective corrective actions.Ensure effective document control, risk management, and CAPA systems.Proactively assess QMS effectiveness and implement improvements to prevent recurrence of nonconformances.Customer Interface & Problem ResolutionServe as the primary Quality interface to customers.Prepare and present regular quality updates, metrics, and corrective action status to customers.Lead customer complaint investigations, root cause analysis, and corrective/preventive actions.Support customer audits, source inspections, and quality reviews.Continuous Improvement & Quality ToolsLead and facilitate structured problem-solving using tools such as:5 Why / Root Cause AnalysisFishbone (Ishikawa)FMEASPCControl PlansPDCA / DMAICDrive Lean and Lean Six Sigma initiatives to reduce scrap, rework, variation, and cost of quality.Use data-driven methods to improve process capability and product reliability.Engineering & Manufacturing SupportPartner with Engineering on new product introduction (NPI), design changes, and sustaining engineering.Review drawings, specifications, and changes for quality and manufacturability.Apply GD&T principles to ensure proper inspection planning and acceptance criteria.Participate in MRB activities and disposition of nonconforming material.Ensure inspection plans, travelers, and work instructions support robust and repeatable processes.Cross-Functional CollaborationLead cross-functional teams to resolve systemic quality and process issues.Influence without authority to drive corrective actions and improvement initiatives.Support Operations in achieving Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost objectives.Required QualificationsBachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline (Mechanical, Manufacturing, Chemical, Materials, etc.).Minimum of 8 years of experience supporting manufacturing operations in a quality or engineering role.Direct, hands-on experience working within an ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System.Strong working knowledge of quality systems, risk management, and root cause analysis.Demonstrated experience using advanced quality and problem-solving tools.Proven ability to communicate effectively with customers at a technical and management level.Strong leadership, organizational, and prioritization skills.Preferred / Desired QualificationsLean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.Demonstrated experience leading Lean initiatives and continuous improvement programs in a regulated manufacturing environment.Supervisory or functional leadership experience.Strong knowledge of GD&T and blueprint interpretation.Experience with statistical methods, process capability studies, and design of experiments.Prior experience supporting defense, aerospace, maritime, or government-regulated programs.Familiarity with customer audits, source inspections, and government or prime-contractor quality requirements.Core CompetenciesQuality Leadership in Regulated EnvironmentsCustomer & Program ConfidenceStructured Problem Solving (DMAIC / PDCA)Risk-Based & Data-Driven Decision MakingCross-Functional Influence & AccountabilityStrong Written and Verbal CommunicationIntegrity, Ownership, and Professional JudgmentPhysical RequirementsBODY POSITIONS: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand for prolonged periods of time. There are also occasions when the employee will be required to sit.BODY MOVEMENTS: The employee must have a full range of body movements including use of hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, computer equipment and peripherals, and the ability to bend, reach, and crouch.BODY SENSES: Must have command of all five senses: sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. These vision requirements in each area must be sufficient to shift in focus from equipment to close small parts.STRENGTH: Must have the ability to lift 30-40 pounds.Working ConditionsThis position will be working indoors in an office environment but also requires the employee to work in production areas on a regular basis. From this movement, the employee will encounter varying temperatures, lighting conditions, and air quality from one area to the next.The noise level in the work environment is at acceptable levels but can be higher from time to time in some areas.To conform to U.S. Government export control regulations and the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Information restrictions, applicant must be a U.S citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorization from the U.S. Department of State or Department of Commerce.Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with DisabilitiesThis employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.#J-18808-Ljbffr