Quality Engineer II

Job Descriptions:

GENERAL JOB SUMMARY

The Quality Engineer II owns major components of the Quality Management System (QMS) for products, engineering testing services, and design and development programs. As the organization’s senior technical quality authority, this individual plans and runs quality programs in an aerospace and defense environment, interprets contract and regulatory requirements, and leads the organization through certification, accreditation, and customer audits. Works in a government-regulated environment and advises management on quality risk, compliance, and performance.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Leads implementation of, and ongoing compliance with, AS9100D and ISO 9001:2015 requirements across engineering, testing, and design and development activities.
• Plans and runs program-level quality efforts: quality plans, contract and flow-down review, quality clause interpretation (FAR/DFARS, customer specs), and inspection and test planning.
• Translates customer, government, and prime contractor requirements into effective procedures, work instructions, and training material.
• Authors and approves quality procedures and instructions; serves as technical reviewer for controlled QMS documents.
• Leads corrective and preventive action for significant or recurring issues using structured methods (8D, A3, fault tree), and verifies effectiveness.
• Leads nonconformance and Material Review Board (MRB) activities, including disposition and customer notification when required.
• Plans and leads internal audits; hosts and serves as primary point of contact for AS9100 registrar audits and customer and DCMA audits.
• Defines KPIs and prepares management review inputs that evaluate QMS effectiveness and drive improvement.
• Serves as primary quality interface with customer representatives and government source inspectors.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS

• Manages supplier quality: supplier approval and surveillance, source inspection, and supplier corrective action.
• Applies aerospace-specific requirements: First Article Inspection (AS9102), counterfeit parts prevention (AS6174/AS5553), FOD prevention, and configuration management.
• Leads risk management activities, including PFMEA, risk registers, and design and process validation support.
• Works with Procurement, IT, Human Resources, Contract Administration, and Facilities to keep the management system fully compliant.
• Mentors junior quality staff and technical personnel on standards, auditing, and problem-solving methods.
• Other quality-related responsibilities assigned by management.

Required Experience:

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED

• Sense of Urgency – Takes initiative to resolve problems and escalates risk early.
• Individual Accountability – Owns outcomes and consistently delivers on commitments.
• Builds Relationships – Earns credibility with customers, auditors, suppliers, and internal leadership through win-win solutions.
• Analytical – Makes sound, data-driven decisions on complex quality and compliance problems.
• Sets High Standards – Demands excellence and continuously raises the performance bar.
• Attention to Detail – Ensures accuracy and integrity of quality data and records.
• Communication – Presents clearly to executives, customers, and auditors, verbally and in writing.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field (science, technology, engineering, math) or a quality or management-related field.
• 10+ years of quality experience, including at least 5 years running quality programs in an aerospace and defense environment.
• Demonstrated experience operating within an AS9100D-certified QMS, including leading registrar audits.
• Working knowledge of FAR/DFARS quality clauses, contract flow-downs, and customer and DCMA oversight.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance.
• Proficiency with MS Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred

• ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Certified Quality Auditor (CQA), or Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE).
• AS9100 Lead Auditor certification.
• Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt.
• Active DoD Secret clearance or higher.

Keyword: Quality Engineer

Kratos Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws.

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If you require an accommodation to navigate or apply to our careers site, please send your request to HRAccessibility@kratosdefense.com or call 858-964-2916. Any inquires not related to requesting an accommodation will be discarded.

Pay Transparency

The company will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant.

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From: Kratos Defense