**Currently located in Buda, TX, moving to 6633 Moores Crossing Blvd, Austin, TX in June 2026 due to growth**
Made in America Manufacturing delivers tight-tolerance CNC machining for leading aerospace, defense and space & satellite contractors. We combine cutting-edge equipment, automation and metrology expertise to produce complex components that perform when failure isn’t an option.
Description
The Quality Engineer is responsible for leading and managing all customer submission activities, including PPAPs, FAIs, and related quality documentation to ensure full compliance with customer, regulatory, and AS9100 requirements. This role acts as the primary liaison between internal teams and customer quality representatives, coordinating documentation, validation, and approvals for new product introductions and engineering changes. The Senior Quality Engineer provides technical expertise in process validation, control methods, and root cause analysis, driving continuous improvement and ensuring all quality submissions are complete, accurate, and timely.
Responsibilities
Customer Submissions & Documentation
- Lead and manage all PPAP, FAI, and customer submission documentation, including control plans, process flow diagrams, and PFMEAs.
- Prepare and submit full PPAP/FAI documentation packages per customer-specific requirements (e.g., TE Connectivity, SEA, SpaceX).
- Coordinate with Engineering, Manufacturing, and Quality teams to gather, validate, and organize all required data and certifications.
- Ensure dimensional results, material certs, special process certs, and inspection data are accurate, complete, and properly formatted prior to submission.
- Maintain records of customer approvals, revision histories, and resubmissions, ensuring full traceability and alignment with the QMS.
- Interface directly with customer quality and engineering teams during submission reviews, addressing feedback, clarifications, and corrective actions promptly.
Process Control & Validation
- Support Manufacturing Engineering in developing and maintaining process control methods to ensure repeatability and compliance with approved PPAP conditions.
- Verify that control plans and inspection methods align with manufacturing and quality requirements.
- Collaborate with production teams to validate process capability, establish quality checkpoints, and ensure adherence to control standards.
- Update control plans, inspection sheets, and documentation when engineering or process changes occur.
- Validate Drawings, version, technical specifications and customer specific product requirements for Contract Review.
Internal Quality System Support
- Support the Quality Manager in maintaining compliance with AS9100 and internal quality system requirements.
- Participate in customer, internal, and third-party audits, providing objective evidence and technical documentation.
- Ensure all submission and validation processes are performed per QMS procedures and customer-specific standards.
- Contribute to document control and record retention activities to maintain submission integrity and traceability.
Corrective Actions & Continuous Improvement
- Analyze rejection and return data (RMA/NCR) to identify root causes and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
- Lead or participate in root cause analysis sessions (8D, 5-Why, Fishbone) for customer and internal quality issues.
- Provide feedback to Engineering and Operations for continuous improvement in manufacturability and quality control.
- Identify trends in quality performance data and recommend proactive improvements to reduce defects and rework.
Cross-Functional & Customer Collaboration
- Work closely with Engineering to interpret drawings, validate revisions, and confirm special process requirements.
- Collaborate with Planning and Production to ensure production readiness for new product releases and process changes.
- Communicate directly with customers regarding submission progress, clarifications, and improvement actions.
- Represent the company professionally in customer audits, technical reviews, and quality meetings.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, or related technical field preferred.
- 5+ years of experience in quality engineering, preferably in aerospace, defense, or precision machining environments.
- Deep knowledge of AS9100, ISO 9001, ITAR, and related quality management standards.
- Hands-on experience preparing and submitting PPAP and FAI documentation packages.
- Proficient with quality tools and methodologies (PFMEA, Control Plans, Process Flow Diagrams, SPC, MSA, 8D, 5-Why).
- Strong working knowledge of GD&T and the ability to interpret complex technical drawings.
- Familiarity with customer portals and submission systems (e.g., TE Connectivity, SEA, SpaceX).
- Experience with ERP systems (JobBOSS preferred) and quality management software.
- Excellent attention to detail, organizational, and communication skills.
- Ability to lead cross-functional teams and interface directly with customers and auditors.
