Hardware Quality Engineer (Defense)

TL;DR

Hardware Quality Engineer (Defense): Performing in-process and final hardware inspection for advanced defense systems with an accent on mechanical and electrical buy-offs and traceability. Focus on executing first article inspections, managing nonconformance via MRB, and enforcing IPC workmanship standards.

Location: Onsite in Hawthorne, California, United States

Salary: $120,000 – $170,000

Company

A defense technology company redefining modern warfare through Coherent Distributed Networks (CDN™) and a multi-product hardware portfolio.

What you will do

• Perform in-process and final inspection of mechanical and electrical hardware.
• Execute first article inspection (FAI) and verify compliance against drawings and specifications.
• Manage quality control workflows, sign-offs, and traceability within ERP/MES systems.
• Identify, document, and segregate nonconforming materials while supporting MRB disposition activities.
• Act as the primary point of contact for manufacturing quality issues on the production floor.
• Ensure no hardware progresses with unresolved quality issues by interfacing with Manufacturing, Test, and Engineering teams.

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience in quality inspection or manufacturing quality roles.
• Experience with board-level and/or mechanical hardware inspection.
• Ability to read complex drawings, schematics, and specifications (GD&T preferred).
• Proficiency with ERP/MES systems for build tracking and sign-off.
• Familiarity with IPC standards such as J-STD-001 and IPC-A-610.

Nice to have

• Experience in aerospace or defense industries with high-reliability hardware.
• Experience in AS9100 environments and performing FAI according to AS9102.
• Strong background in MRB and nonconformance handling.
• Experience across multiple production domains (R&D, T2P, LRIP, FRP).

Culture & Benefits

• 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision benefits.
• 401k with 50% company match up to 6% of pay, plus FSA and HSA.
• Unlimited PTO and 'No meeting Fridays'.
• Free daily lunch and casual dress code.
• Competitive base salary with generous pre-IPO stock option grants and relocation assistance.