Quality Engineer

Victor Sierra Aviation • Baldwin City, KS

1d

About The Position

McFarlane Aviation is hiring a Quality Engineer to ensure parts meet customer and regulatory standards. The role works across production, inspection, and the Quality Management System (QMS), investigating nonconformances, identifying root causes, implementing lasting corrective actions, and partnering with Engineering, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain to prevent quality issues from reaching customers.

The Quality Engineer maintains and improves the QMS and Quality Assurance Manual procedures; ensures compliance with customer, contractual, and FAA-PMA requirements; conducts internal audits and supports external audits; and develops inspection plans, sampling plans, and quality control instructions. The role leads First Article Inspections, reviews technical documents for quality and regulatory requirements, establishes practical inspection methods, and trains and coaches inspectors and operators.

The position also leads product failure investigations, participates in Material Review Board decisions, drives corrective and preventive action to closure, reviews audit follow-up, investigates customer complaints and returns, and supports supplier quality and continuous improvement. It analyzes quality data, supports PFMEAs and control plans, and works with Engineering, Manufacturing, Purchasing, suppliers, and customers to resolve issues and prevent recurrence.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Engineering Technology, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• At least 3 years of quality engineering experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Ability to read drawings and specifications, with working knowledge of GD&T.
• Hands-on skill with micrometers, calipers, and pin and height gages.
• Proven experience performing root cause analysis and implementing corrective actions.
• Solid understanding of FAA regulatory frameworks and QMS standards.
• Strong Excel skills, including applying statistics, analyzing data, and building metrics.
• Strong communication skills with suppliers, customers, cross-functional teams, and leadership.
• High sense of urgency in a fast-paced, high-mix environment.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with AS9100 and 14 CFR Part 21 (FAA-PMA) quality systems.
• Experience in aviation or aerospace manufacturing environments.
• Lean and continuous improvement experience, including leading improvement projects.
• CMM experience, including programming.
• Experience with PFMEA, control plans, and SPC.
• ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or Six Sigma Green Belt.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and improve the QMS and Quality Assurance Manual procedures, and evaluate the system for gaps and corrective action.
• Ensure products and processes meet customer, contractual, and FAA-PMA regulatory requirements, and remain current on evolving regulations and standards.
• Conduct internal QMS audits and support FAA, registrar, and customer audits.
• Create inspection plans, sampling plans, and quality control instructions for manufacturing, test, and inspection.
• Lead First Article Inspection and complete FAIRs to customer and regulatory requirements.
• Evaluate drawings, specifications, designs, and procedures for quality and regulatory requirements.
• Translate drawings and specifications into practical inspection methods and standardize techniques using calibrated tools.
• Lead and direct the work of others as needed, and train and coach inspectors and operators on inspection methods and quality requirements.
• Lead product failure investigations and participate in Material Review Board decisions.
• Use structured root cause tools to identify true root causes and drive corrective and preventive actions to closure.
• Review corrective actions and audit findings for adequacy, and track recurring quality issues.
• Investigate customer complaints and returns, and drive containment and corrective action.
• Develop strategies to improve internal and supplier quality performance.
• Analyze quality data and build metrics to identify trends and improvement opportunities.
• Support PFMEAs and control plans to prevent defects.
• Partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, Purchasing, and customers to resolve quality issues and prevent recurrence.

Benefits

• Competitive pay and benefits.
• On-the-job training and room to grow.
• A collaborative, hands-on culture where ideas are welcomed and employees’ voices matter.
• A supportive team of aviation professionals.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level