Quality Engineer-Aerospace Manufacturing & FAA Compliance

ROBINSON HELICOPTER CO INC•Torrance, CA

11d•$80,000 - $100,000•Onsite

About The Position

Robinson Helicopter Company (RHC) is seeking a highly experienced Quality Engineer – Aerospace Manufacturing & FAA Compliance to support production, supplier quality, and airworthiness compliance across helicopter manufacturing and overhaul operations. This is a senior-level engineering position responsible for ensuring products, processes, materials, and manufacturing methods conform to FAA regulations, engineering requirements, and company quality standards. The Quality Engineer serves as a technical authority in the evaluation, disposition, containment, and resolution of deficient, nonconforming, suspect, and non-DfMA (Design for Manufacturing & Assembly) conditions affecting aircraft components and assemblies. The ideal candidate possesses deep expertise in aerospace manufacturing processes, FAA regulatory compliance, root cause and corrective action systems, and risk-based quality engineering methodologies. This individual must be capable of making sound engineering decisions in fast-paced production environments where airworthiness, product integrity, and operational execution are critical. This role requires a highly analytical aerospace professional with exceptional technical judgment, strong business acumen, and a relentless commitment to airworthiness, escape prevention, manufacturability, quality, cost, and continuous improvement. The Quality Engineer is expected to maintain a strong floor presence, influence technical and operational decisions, and serve as a trusted advisor to Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, and Operations leadership.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality Engineering, or related technical discipline required
7+ years of progressive aerospace quality engineering experience supporting manufacturing, assembly, overhaul, or FAA-regulated production environments
Strong working knowledge and practical application of FAA regulations including Part 21, Part 43, and aerospace quality system requirements
Demonstrated experience managing nonconforming material processes, containment activities, and MRB support within an aerospace manufacturing environment
Strong understanding of aerospace manufacturing methods including machining, fabrication, assembly, inspection, process control, and production support
Ability to evaluate technical deficiencies and independently recommend practical, compliant, airworthy, and manufacturable corrective actions
Experience interpreting engineering drawings, GD&T, specifications, process instructions, inspection requirements, and airworthiness criteria with high attention to detail
Proven expertise in root cause analysis, corrective action systems, statistical analysis, and continuous improvement methodologies
Strong communication, leadership, and cross-functional collaboration skills with the ability to influence technical and operational decisions across all organizational levels
Ability to make sound engineering judgments under pressure in a fast-paced aerospace production environment while maintaining strict regulatory and quality compliance
Strong analytical capability with a disciplined, detail-oriented, and quality-focused mindset

Nice To Haves

Experience in FAA Part 21 and/or Part 145 regulated aerospace environments
AS9100 internal auditing experience
Prior participation in Material Review Board (MRB) authority or disposition activities
Experience supporting rotorcraft, flight-critical hardware, or complex aerospace systems
Certification or training in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, RCCA, PFMEA, or advanced quality engineering methodologies
Familiarity with SPC, Control Plans, advanced product quality planning, and risk-based manufacturing controls
Experience working closely with Manufacturing Engineering to improve DfMA, process capability, and production efficiency
Knowledge of aerospace materials including aluminum alloys, titanium, composites, and aircraft hardware systems

Responsibilities

Review, investigate, contain, and disposition nonconforming materials, components, assemblies, and processes in accordance with FAA regulations, engineering requirements, and company quality procedures
Serve as a technical authority in the evaluation of deficient and non-DfMA product conditions, providing practical, compliant, and manufacturable corrective action recommendations
Lead root cause and corrective action investigations involving quality escapes, recurring defects, supplier issues, process failures, and airworthiness concerns using structured methodologies including 5-Why, Fishbone, RCCA, PFMEA, and risk-based analysis techniques
Partner with Design Engineering and Manufacturing Engineering to improve manufacturability, assembly efficiency, process capability, product reliability, and overall production readiness
Ensure compliance with FAA regulations, AS9100 quality management requirements, internal procedures, and airworthiness standards, with zero tolerance for compromised product integrity
Review and interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, specifications, work instructions, inspection criteria, manufacturing methods, and airworthiness requirements to ensure technical and regulatory compliance
Support and participate in Material Review Board (MRB) activities including technical evaluation, containment strategy development, disposition recommendations, and implementation of corrective actions
Analyze production and quality performance data to identify adverse trends, recurring defects, process variation, escape risks, and opportunities for operational improvement
Drive containment and corrective actions for supplier quality issues, manufacturing escapes, and internal nonconformances to prevent recurrence and protect product integrity
Support First Article Inspection (FAI), process validation, inspection planning, control plans, and production readiness activities for new and existing products
Provide technical leadership, mentorship, and guidance to inspectors, technicians, engineers, and manufacturing personnel regarding quality standards, workmanship expectations, regulatory compliance, and problem-solving methodologies
Maintain an active presence on the production floor, supporting manufacturing teams in resolving real-time technical, quality, and process-related issues
Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on reducing defects, improving first-pass yield, eliminating rework, reducing cost of poor quality (COPQ), and improving operational efficiency
Participate in internal, customer, supplier, and regulatory audits and support timely closure of corrective and preventive actions
Exercise sound engineering judgment and decision-making authority in balancing manufacturability, compliance, airworthiness, quality, schedule, and operational risk.