Lead Quality Engineer

GKN Aerospace Careers•Cromwell, CT

About The Position

The Lead Quality Engineer is responsible for ensuring that products meet both internal and external quality and reliability standards throughout the product lifecycle. This role has direct reports and involves leading quality planning, process validation, risk assessment, and problem-solving initiatives to support product development, manufacturing, and customer satisfaction.

Requirements

Minimum requirement: High school diploma or GED and 12+ years of relevant aerospace engineering/quality experience
MUST BE U.S Citizen.
Must be able to read and interpret blueprints, customer specifications, and internal QMS documents
Must have prior inspection background, be able to inspect product with standard measuring equipment, and evaluate to visual standards
Must have reliable transportation and travel between buildings as required
Have a fundamental understanding of quality philosophies, principles, systems, methods, tools, standards, organizational and team dynamics, customer expectations and satisfaction, supplier relations and performance, leadership, training, interpersonal relationships, improvement systems and professional ethics
Understand elements of a Quality Management System and its development, documentation and implementation to applicable domestic and international standards and/or requirements
Understand the audit process and its role within a Quality Management System; including types of audits, reporting results and follow-up
Develop and implement quality plans, including tracking, analyzing, reporting and problem solving
Demonstrate ability to lead problem-solving and quality improvement events and utilize tools and techniques. This includes knowledge of management and planning tools, quality tools, preventive and corrective actions, and how to overcome barriers to quality improvements
Possess strong written, communication and interpersonal skills
Possess a pro-active mindset with a passion for utilizing Continuous Improvement techniques to improve processes
Computer literate in Excel, Word, Access, and PowerPoint
Must be able to work in a production manufacturing environment and travel throughout the facilities and corporation to obtain information needed to perform job functions
Specific Vision abilities required; including close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to focus with a specific requirement for corrected vision at 20/25 or better

Nice To Haves

Preferred requirement: BS and 5+ years of relevant aerospace engineering/quality experience, with at least 2 years in a leadership role.

Responsibilities

Interface with Customer, Operations, Engineering, Inspection, and supply chain teams to ensure product quality and compliance
Lead/support root cause analysis and corrective/preventive actions (CAPA) for product issues
Ensure compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements (e.g., ISO 9001, AS9100, ISO 13485, FDA, etc.)
Manage quality metrics and reporting, including yield, defect rates, and customer returns
Conduct or support internal, supplier, and customer audits
Develop/update and maintain documentation including inspection plans and qualification reports
Support continuous improvement initiatives such as Six Sigma or Lean Manufacturing
Perform MRB reviews and document nonconformance concession submittals to customer, respond to customer inquiries
Provide technical expertise and guidance to company employees, suppliers, customers and regulatory agencies to ensure compliance with contractual, company, and regulatory requirements
Able to perform in an Engineer/Training coordinator role to ensure that activities between production, manufacturing and Quality are clearly defined, communicated and understood
Provide education and coaching on the company's quality system
Responsible for obtaining MRB approval for preparing dispositions for product nonconformance to meet all requirements
Process customer returned product
Facilitate MRB meetings and track actions & progress; internally and with customers