Quality Engineer

METCUT RESEARCH ASSOC•Cincinnati, OH

About The Position

Metcut Research is a full-service firm with significant, world-leading experience in testing materials. We have been providing excellence in materials testing since 1948. For over 75 years, our expertise has propelled innovation across aerospace, space, transportation, energy, and medical industries. Our people are at the heart of our success and the foundation of our strategy for the future. We believe that long-term, sustained success only results from investment in people. Each member of our workforce is an important financial stakeholder in our business. We know that it is our people who differentiate us in our chosen field of materials evaluation. PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES: The Quality Engineer ensures that all aerospace materials testing activities—covering receipt inspection, test execution, data reporting, and certification—comply with ISO17025 quality system requirements and applicable regulatory/industry standards (e.g., NADCAP for testing). This role designs and maintains test/inspection processes, leads investigations of nonconformances, supports audits, oversees measurement system calibration, and drives continuous improvement to safeguard safety, reliability, and customer satisfaction.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science, Mechanical/Metallurgical Engineering, Quality Engineering, or related field; equivalent technical experience considered.
2–5+ years in quality engineering within aerospace, materials testing, or precision manufacturing.
Demonstrated experience with AS9100/ISO17025 QMS, NADCAP (Testing) requirements, and AS9102 FAI.

Nice To Haves

ASQ CQE/CQA or equivalent, NADCAP audit experience and Lean/Six Sigma (Green Belt or higher) are preferred

Responsibilities

Maintain and improve the QMS in alignment with ISO17025; create/update procedures, SOPs, and work instructions.
Prepare for and facilitate internal audits; coordinate and support external audits (customer, certification bodies, and NADCAP).
Define and validate test methods and acceptance criteria for mechanical, metallurgical, and chemical materials testing (e.g., ASTM/SAE standards); ensure traceability from sample receipt to report issuance.
Perform and/or oversee First Article Inspection (FAI) per AS9102, ensure conformance to drawing/specs and test plans.
Conduct/verify inspections on incoming materials, test specimens, and finished reports using precision tools (calipers, micrometers, CMMs) and data review practices.
Lead Material Review Board (MRB) activities; disposition nonconforming materials and test results.
Drive root cause analysis and corrective/preventive actions using 8D, 5 Whys, Fishbone (Ishikawa), and FMEA; maintain the nonconformance/CAPA database.
Evaluate and monitor suppliers and subcontracted labs; review certifications and test reports; process supplier NCRs and improvement actions in collaboration with Supply Chain.
Maintain calibration for measurement & test equipment (M&TE); ensure metrological traceability and proper documentation.
Analyze test/production data to identify trends, capability, and improvement opportunities; publish dashboards and quality metrics for management review.
Ensure compliance with customer requirements, ITAR/EAR handling rules (as applicable), and government regulations; support customer reviews and respond to quality-related inquiries.
Author and approve technical quality documentation: Certificates of Conformance, test summary reports, inspection records, and audit responses.
Lead/participate in Lean/Six Sigma projects to reduce defects, cycle time, and cost; standardize best practices across labs and shifts.