Quality Engineer

Job Title: Quality EngineerJob DescriptionThe Quality Engineer reviews customer and program quality requirements and ensures they are fully identified, clearly understood, and effectively met through existing policies, procedures, and systems. When current capabilities do not meet customer expectations, this role leads the development and implementation of new processes and systems to achieve full compliance. The position focuses on onboarding new customers, supporting audits, driving data-driven process improvements, and enhancing the Quality Management System in a highly technical, automation-focused environment, particularly within aerospace or defense manufacturing.Responsibilities

• Review customer and program quality requirements and ensure alignment with existing policies, procedures, and systems.
• Identify gaps between customer requirements and current capabilities and lead the development of new processes and systems to close those gaps.
• Onboard new customers by mapping their quality requirements and performing detailed gap assessments against current capabilities.
• Collaborate closely with the automation team to integrate new customer quality processes into automation systems.
• Act as a project manager for customer and third-party audits, ensuring all pre-audit tasks are accurately completed and post-audit action items are clearly documented and tracked to closure.
• Drive and implement data-driven process improvements based on quality specifications and customer flowdowns.
• Develop and refine the Quality Management System to meet industry benchmarks and ensure seamless integration with automation tools.
• Create comprehensive quality plans and protocols in collaboration with quality and manufacturing teams.
• Serve as a product owner for quality-related automation tools, ensuring they meet customer-specific requirements, production system needs, and applicable industry standards.
• Develop standards for customer-specific quality documentation, including process maps, control plans, and standard operating procedures.
• Work with complex quality specifications and customer flowdowns to ensure consistent and compliant execution across operations.
• Support inspection-related activities and quality-focused manufacturing processes, including adherence to AS9102 First Article Inspection requirements.

Essential Skills

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a quality engineering role, preferably in aerospace or defense manufacturing.
• Hands-on experience in quality engineering, including quality assurance and quality control activities.
• Experience conducting and supporting audits, including customer and third-party audits.
• In-depth knowledge of AS9100 standards and experience managing customer audits and quality requirements (preferred).
• Strong understanding of ISO 9001 quality management principles.
• Awareness of lean principles and continuous improvement methodology.
• Experience working with complex quality specifications, including customer flowdowns.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes with a focus on quality-related tasks such as inspection processes.
• Familiarity with AS9102 First Article Inspection requirements.
• Ability to develop and maintain quality plans, process maps, control plans, and standard operating procedures.
• Ability to manage projects and coordinate cross-functional activities related to audits and process improvements.
• Capability to act as a product owner for quality-related automation tools and ensure alignment with customer and production needs.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in aerospace or defense manufacturing environments.
• Background in quality assurance within regulated industries.
• Exposure to or experience with lean and continuous improvement projects.
• Comfort working with advanced automation tools and systems in a production environment.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills to work effectively with quality, manufacturing, and automation teams.
• Ability to interpret and apply industry standards and customer-specific quality requirements.

Work EnvironmentThe role operates in a manufacturing and engineering environment with a strong focus on aerospace and defense quality standards. The Quality Engineer works closely with automation teams, quality professionals, and manufacturing staff to integrate quality processes into advanced automation systems. The environment emphasizes structured quality management systems such as AS9100 and ISO 9001, as well as formal documentation including process maps, control plans, and standard operating procedures. Work typically involves participation in customer and third-party audits, engagement in continuous improvement activities, and regular interaction with complex customer quality specifications and flowdowns. The position requires a professional presence in production and office settings, with appropriate attire suited to both manufacturing floor and technical meeting environments. Job Type & LocationThis is a Permanent position based out of Torrance, CA. Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $100000.00 - $180000.00/yr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans for employees 401k

Relocation support may be provided for certain situations, based on business need.

Flexible vacation policy

Equity Job Type & LocationThis is a Permanent position based out of Torrance, CA. Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Nov 13, 2026. Workplace TypeThis is a fully onsite position in Torrance,CA.About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.