Quality Assurance Engineer

Ensure compliance with customer requirements, government specifications, and classification society rules.

Serve as a point of contact for internal audits, external audits, and customer/government inspections.

Interpret and cascade contractual and regulatory quality requirements into actionable processes.

Support documentation and traceability required for government contracts and audits.

Lead investigations into nonconformances, escapes, and customer complaints.

Apply structured problem-solving methodologies (e.g., 8D, DMAIC, A3) to identify root causes.

Ensure corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) are effective, validated, and sustained.

Monitor trends and lead efforts to eliminate systemic issues, not just individual defects.

Collaborate with Engineering, Production, Supply Chain, and Program Management to ensure quality requirements are integrated early.

Support design reviews to ensure manufacturability and quality risks are mitigated upfront.

Work directly on the shop floor to validate processes and support first article inspections (FAI).

Engage suppliers to resolve quality issues and improve incoming material quality.

Lead and support Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Drive reduction of rework, scrap, and cost of poor quality (COPQ).

Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs) related to quality performance.

Promote a culture of accountability, proactive quality, and operational excellence.

Reduction in repeat nonconformances across value streams

Improved audit performance and compliance scores

Decreased cost of poor quality (rework, scrap, warranty issues)

Increased effectiveness and closure rate of corrective actions

Standardization and adoption of best practices across programs

Combination of office, shipyard production floor, and onboard vessel environments.

May require working in industrial conditions, including noise, confined spaces, and varying weather conditions.

Occasional travel for supplier audits, ship trials, or customer support.

Thinking with focus on root cause vs symptom correction

Strong analytical and data-driven decision-making skills

Ability to influence cross-functional teams without authority

Detail-oriented with a strong focus on compliance and documentation

Effective communicator with experience working with customers and regulators

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, or related field or acceptable combination of related years of experience and education

3+ years of experience in a Quality Engineering role within the Shipbuilding, Heavy Manufacturing, or regulated industries.

Strong knowledge of: Quality systems (ISO 9001) Root cause analysis methodologies (8D, 5 Whys, Fishbone) Inspection and testing processes

Quality systems (ISO 9001)

Root cause analysis methodologies (8D, 5 Whys, Fishbone)

Inspection and testing processes

Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and contracts.

Experience working with government or defense contracts (NAVSEA standards, ABS rules, or other maritime regulations) and compliance requirements.

Certification in ASQ CQE, Six Sigma (Green/Black Belt), or Lean Manufacturing.

Experience with welding, fabrication, and marine systems.

Familiarity with digital quality tools, ERP/MES systems, and data analytics

This position reports directly to the Quality Manager and has no direct reports.

Must continuously demonstrate excellent administrative judgment and assume responsibility for decisions and their consequences and results impacting the department’s associates and quality of service within the department.

The candidate must demonstrate an ability to lead meetings and write professional correspondence effectively. The candidate must also have excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to listen, talk, and teach. The candidate must also demonstrate an all-pervasive positive attitude.

This description is a general statement of required primary duties and responsibilities performed regularly and continuously. It does not exclude other duties as assigned.