QUALITY ENGINEER
Spectrum AMT | Colorado Springs, CO
DEPARTMENT Quality REPORTS TO Director of Manufacturing and Quality STATUS Full-Time | On-Site | Immediate Opening
ABOUT THE ROLE
Spectrum AMT builds electronics that go to orbit, protect warfighters, and help patients. Quality isn't a department here. It's the foundation on which everything else stands. We're looking for a Quality Engineer who shares a similar philosophy – along with expertise, rigor, and ownership. In this role, you'll serve as a critical interface between our production floor, our customers, and some of the most demanding quality standards in the industry. You'll own processes, drive improvements, and represent Spectrum's standards to unique agencies and enterprises, as well as important defense prime contractors. This is a high-visibility position with real accountability and real impact.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
CUSTOMER & AGENCY INTERFACE
- Serve as the primary quality interface for assigned customers and government agencies (DCMA, DLA, Space agencies etc.), coordinating audits, inspections, and requirements flow-down.
- Translate customer purchase orders, SOWs, quality clauses, and drawing notes into actionable work instructions and procedures on the production floor.
- Manage supplier and customer scorecards, developing and executing Continuous Improvement Plans (CIPs) to meet performance expectations on both ends.
QUALITY SYSTEMS & COMPLIANCE
- Maintain and update the Quality Management System (QMS) in compliance with AS9100 and ISO 9001 (current revisions).
- Ensure compliance with IPC standards, ESD protocols, and industry-specific quality certifications.
- Support certification of personnel to J-STD-001, NASA Space Addendum, and IPC/WHMA-A-620 for hi-rel and commercial assembly.
ROOT CAUSE & CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
- Lead root cause corrective action (RCCA) investigations, consolidating findings into clear, defensible reports for customers and leadership.
- Monitor non-conformance trends and process data; apply SPC, Pareto analysis, 5-Why, and fishbone methodologies to drive measurable improvement.
- Drive KPI performance, including the reduction of returns and the achievement of on-time delivery (OTD) targets.
- Apply lean manufacturing and 6S methodology to identify waste, reduce variation, and improve production quality.
NEW PRODUCT INTRODUCTION & BUSINESS SUPPORT
- Support new product introduction (NPI) by reviewing POs, SOWs, and drawings to ensure manufacturing readiness from a quality standpoint.
- Support new business activities, including quote reviews, PO intake, and drawing analysis as required.
LEADERSHIP & DEVELOPMENT
- Mentor and train engineers, technicians, and leads on quality standards, inspection techniques, and improvement tools.
- Assume quality supervisory responsibilities as needed in support of the Quality Manager/Director, including performance appraisals, training, and issue resolution.
- Partner directly with senior leadership on strategies for facility improvements and company growth.
WHAT YOU BRING
- 8+ years of quality engineering experience in a high-reliability manufacturing environment (aerospace, defense, medical, or space strongly preferred); a bachelor's degree in a relevant field may substitute for up to 5 years of experience.
- Deep working knowledge of AS9100, ISO 9001, IPC standards, ESD protocols, and relevant military specifications.
- Hands-on experience with lean manufacturing, 6S methodology, SPC, and quality improvement tools.
- Demonstrated ability to interface professionally and credibly with customers, government agencies, and external auditors.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills - you can translate complex technical findings into clear, concise reports.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint); familiarity with ERP/MRP systems.
- ASQ certification preferred.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
SALARY
- $80,000 – $95,000 annually, commensurate with experience.
HEALTH & SUPPLEMENTAL INSURANCE
- Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, long-term disability, and supplemental coverage for employees and dependents.
- Spectrum covers 75% of employee premiums and 50% of spouse/dependent premiums.
- Coverage becomes effective on the first of the month following a 60-day waiting period.
RETIREMENT & PAID TIME OFF
- 401(k) with 100% company match on employee contributions up to 3% of gross wages. Immediate vesting. Eligible after 90 days of employment.
- 10 paid holidays per year.
- 10 days of accrued PTO per year during the first five years of employment, accrued bi-weekly.
- 6 paid sick days per year, available after the 90-day probationary period.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
This is a full-time, on-site role at our Colorado Springs facility. The work environment is a professional electronics manufacturing floor - expect a mix of desk work and floor engagement, with frequent standing, walking, and hands-on collaboration with production and inspection teams.
WHY SPECTRUM
For nearly 30 years, Spectrum has built a reputation for doing things right the first time, every time. Our work ends up in satellites, defense systems, and medical devices that cannot fail. We take that seriously, and we look for people who do too. If precision, accountability, and mission-critical work resonate with you, you'll fit in well here.