Quality Engineer / Agent

Overview

The Quality Engineer will ensure that products and manufacturing processes conform to the organization’s Quality Management System, customer standards, engineering specifications, and aerospace industry requirements. Collaborating closely with production, engineering, supply chain, and quality teams, this role advocates for product quality within an aerospace or defense program. Key activities include addressing non-conformances, performing root cause analysis, managing corrective actions, executing First Article Inspections, monitoring quality metrics, and maintaining thorough documentation.

Primary Responsibilities

• Verify the conformity of products and processes against drawings, specifications, and quality standards.
• Deliver daily quality engineering assistance to production and manufacturing engineering departments.
• Review manufacturing and inspection documents for compliance and completeness.
• Interpret technical drawings, specifications, and acceptance criteria.
• Develop and maintain process controls to reduce defects and enhance quality consistency.
• Identify risks in product/process and collaborate cross-functionally on containment, corrective, and preventive measures.
• Foster a culture emphasizing quality awareness within the production area.
• Manage non-conformance reports via Material Review Board coordination, ensuring proper identification, segregation, and control of non-conforming products.
• Monitor recurring defects, quality trends, and support resolution of customer complaints, internal issues, and escapes.
• Prepare and maintain First Article Inspection documentation per customer and AS9102 standards.
• Ensure accurate, thorough, and traceable quality records are retained following QMS guidelines.
• Maintain data in company, customer, and supplier portals and support configuration control for document versions.
• Assist in preparing inspection plans, quality plans, and program-specific documentation.

Quality Performance and Support

• Analyze quality indicators including defects, rework, scrap, escapes, SNAGs, complaints, and closure of corrective actions.
• Present quality performance data to management and cross-functional teams.
• Engage in continuous improvement efforts targeting defect reduction, variability minimization, and cost efficiency.
• Recommend enhancements to processes, inspections, and quality controls.
• Communicate effectively with customers and suppliers about quality matters.
• Represent quality in internal, customer, and supplier meetings as needed.
• Provide expertise to quality inspectors and technicians.
• Collaborate with operations, engineering, program management, supply chain, and quality to resolve issues.
• Escalate critical product, process, customer, or compliance risks appropriately.

Compliance and Governance

• Support audits (internal, customer, regulatory) and facilitate closing of findings.
• Adhere to company Quality Management System, Code of Conduct, and policies.
• Operate in compliance with aerospace quality, customer, and regulatory requirements.
• Preserve confidentiality, integrity, and traceability of technical and quality data.
• Maintain proper control of quality records.
• Follow health, safety, and environmental policies; report unsafe conditions and incidents immediately.
• Participate in mandatory quality, safety, technical, and compliance training.
• Contribute toward achieving site goals in safety, quality, delivery, and cost.

Authority and Decision Making

• Identify and escalate non-conformances.
• Halt product release or operations when risks are detected.
• Request containment and root cause analyses.
• Recommend suspensions of operations posing compliance or safety risks.
• Escalate unresolved issues to quality management.
• Make improvement recommendations for product, process, and QMS.
• Adhere to Material Review Board protocols for final disposition.
• Implement problem-solving methods such as 5 Why, fishbone analysis, and 8D.
• Verify corrective action effectiveness before closure using data-driven approaches.

Candidate Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or diploma in Mechanical, Aerospace, Manufacturing, Industrial, or Quality Engineering or related field.
• Relevant co-op/internship experience may be considered for recent graduates.
• Preferably 2-3 years of quality engineering or manufacturing quality experience; more experienced candidates will also be considered.
• Experience in aerospace, defense, or regulated manufacturing (automotive, medical devices, precision manufacturing) is desirable.
• Hands-on experience supporting production teams is an advantage.
• Proficient in reading mechanical engineering drawings and specifications; working knowledge of GD&T preferred.
• Familiarity with non-conformance processes, root cause and corrective actions, problem-solving methodologies (5 Why, fishbone, 8D).
• Knowledge of First Article Inspection and AS9102 is beneficial.
• Understanding of AS9100 or related Quality Management Systems is a plus.
• Experience with statistical tools, trend analysis, process control techniques.
• Strong skills in Microsoft Office, especially Excel, Word, PowerPoint.
• Ability to learn ERP, quality management software and customer documentation systems.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, attention to detail, and communication capabilities.
• Organizational skills to manage technical documentation and multiple priorities.
• Proactive, collaborative work style with sound judgment and readiness to escalate risks.
• Adaptability, accountability, responsibility, and continuous learning mindset.
• Legal authorization to work in Canada is required.
• Must complete and maintain any necessary security clearances tied to Canadian Controlled Goods Program, ITAR, or customer/government regulations.

Additional Obligations

• Comply with company policies including Code of Conduct and safety/environmental protocols.
• Promote ethical conduct and customer focus.
• Support a high-performance, collaborative workplace culture.
• Perform other duties as required.

Compensation

The salary range for this position is approximately $60,000 to $65,000 annually, commensurate with candidate qualifications and experience.