Lead Quality Engineer (Defense Aerospace)

Location: Tewksbury, Massachusetts, United States — onsite. Ad-hoc travel is required for customer visits, audits, and meetings at other division sites.

Salary: $108,900–$145,000 per year, plus bonus.

Company

Provides tactical data link network solutions for military units, government testing organizations, and prime defense contractors.

What you will do

• Lead customer-facing program quality engineering, contract quality reviews, supplier quality, inspection release, and customer source inspection activities.
• Execute internal QMS compliance activities and support external AS9100, CMMI, DCMA, aerospace, and defense customer audits.
• Manage customer and supplier quality processes, including SCARs, audit findings, corrective actions, and supplier audits.
• Drive 8D CAPA, root cause analysis, quality tools, training, metrics, and continuous improvement across the site.
• Support quality throughout the product lifecycle, including proposals, design, production, services, sustainment, engineering changes, waivers, and material substitutions.
• Maintain quality metrics, COPQ analysis, calibration processes, data packs, shipping document reviews, and vendor quality communications.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace, electrical, mechanical, or software engineering, or a technical equivalent, with at least 10 years of related experience; alternatively, a graduate degree with at least 7 years of related experience.
• Experience implementing and maintaining a registered AS9100 QMS across manufacturing and software development.
• At least 10 years of relevant aerospace and defense experience combined with military experience may substitute for a degree.
• Expertise in 8D or another structured problem-solving methodology, quality audits, corrective action, and direct customer interaction.
• Knowledge of J-STD-001, IPC-A-600, IPC-A-610 Rev D Class 3, IPC/WHMA-A-620, IPC-7711/7721, calibration program management, and engineering drawings.
• Strong analytical, written, oral, interpersonal, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Nice to have

• CMMI Level 3 capability appraisal experience.
• ASQ CMQOE or ASQ CQE certification.
• Experience with SAP S/4HANA, SQL, Python, or Power BI dashboard development.

Culture & Benefits

• Paid time off and health and wellness benefits.
• 401(k) with employer match and profit sharing.
• Learning and development opportunities.
• Employee referral program, recognition, and employee stock purchase plan.
• Inclusive and supportive work environment with a focus on product integrity and ethical standards.