Defense Quality Engineer (DQE)

Location: Monroe, NC Salary: $33.00 USD Hourly - $35.00 USD Hourly Description: Our client is currently seeking a Defense Quality Engineer (DQE)
Position Summary
The Temporary Defense Quality Engineer (DQE) supports the organization in the areas of Material Review Board (MRB), new product development, lean implementation, process capability improvement, daily production support, technical data analysis, and quality system management.
This position is responsible for supporting in-process and final inspection activities, conducting process and product audits, and interpreting technical documentation including engineering drawings, specifications, technical publications, and purchase orders. The DQE must possess strong knowledge of Statistical Process Control (SPC), dimensional inspection metrology, and Quality Management Systems such as ISO 9001:2015, AS9100, IATF 16949, and related standards.
The DQE works closely with Customers, Suppliers, Sales/Contracts, Design Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, and Operations to ensure product quality, compliance, and continuous improvement.
Principal Responsibilities
Material Review Board (MRB) Support

• Lead and participate in MRB meetings to evaluate non-conforming materials, components, and products.
• Identify and document root causes of non-conformances.
• Approve, reject, or recommend rework dispositions for materials that do not meet quality requirements.

Non-Conformance Management

• Coordinate and drive investigations of Supplier Issue Reports (SIRs) in collaboration with manufacturing and engineering teams.
• Ensure complete and accurate documentation of non-conformances, dispositions, corrective actions, and preventive actions.

Root Cause Analysis & Corrective Action

• Conduct root cause investigations, failure analyses, and corrective action activities.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement, monitor, and verify corrective actions through completion.
• Create and review failure analysis reports.

Compliance & Quality Systems

• Ensure compliance with applicable industry standards, customer requirements, military specifications, and contractual obligations.
• Maintain accurate records related to MRB, SIRs, audits, corrective actions, and quality metrics.
• Participate in and support quality system, process, and product audits.

Production & Inspection Support

• Provide quality support for daily manufacturing operations.
• Perform in-process, final, source, and First Article Inspections (FAI).
• Conduct examinations and audits of finished products prior to customer source inspection and shipment to verify conformance to Acceptance Test Procedures (ATP).
• Conduct in-line audits of production operations to confirm adherence to ATP requirements and approved testing methodologies.
• Review engineering drawings, inspection records, ATP sign-off sheets, visual and dimensional requirements, and product finish specifications.
• Verify product identification, marking, and labeling requirements are correctly applied in accordance with drawings and specifications.
• Provide quality witness support during customer-returned product tear-down investigations.

Technical Leadership

• Provide technical guidance and leadership to inspection personnel.
• Support supplier quality activities and resolve material-related quality issues.
• Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, procurement, and operations teams to address quality concerns.

Continuous Improvement

• Participate in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and other continuous improvement initiatives.
• Collect and analyze quality data to identify, prioritize, and implement process and product improvements.
• Recommend enhancements to processes, materials, procedures, and quality controls to reduce defects and non-conformances.
• Develop and implement statistically valid control plans and audit plans.

Additional Responsibilities

• Comply with all company policies and procedures.
• Comply with all military, regulatory, customer, and contractual requirements.
• Perform other quality-related duties as assigned by management.

Candidate Requirements
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to create and implement statistically valid control plans and audit plans.
• Strong understanding of Statistical Process Control (SPC) methodologies.
• Working knowledge of dimensional inspection metrology and automated measuring equipment.
• Excellent understanding and application of Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T).
• Ability to perform root cause analysis, corrective action investigations, and failure analysis reporting.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, technical specifications, and quality documentation.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in:
• • Microsoft Word
  • Excel
  • PowerPoint
  • Visio
  • Microsoft Project
  • Other applicable software tools
• Ability to perform in-process, final, source, and First Article inspections.
• Approximately 10% travel required.

Education & Experience

• Associate degree (two-year college degree) in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, or a related technical field and a minimum of three (3) years of relevant quality engineering experience;

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in aerospace, defense, or military manufacturing environments.
• Working knowledge of AS9100 Quality Management Systems.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Familiarity with MRB processes and non-conformance management systems.
• Experience supporting customer source inspections and First Article Inspection (FAI) activities.

Medical, dental, and vision insurance are available to qualified candidates who meet eligibility requirements.
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