Quality Assurance Engineer

Job Title: Quality Assurance Engineer - Aerospace

Location: Huntsville, AL 35811

Duration: 11 Months contract (Potential temp to Perm)

Payrate: $50/hr. - $55/hr. (depending on experience)

Shift: 1st shift

Start Date: ASAP

Position Summary:

The Quality Assurance Engineer is responsible for executing, maintaining, and monitoring Quality Management System (QMS) activities in support of regulatory compliance, product safety, and certification requirements within a regulated aerospace environment. Reporting to the Quality Assurance Manager, this role supports compliance to AS9100, FAA, EASA, and Safety Management System (SMS) requirements through disciplined process execution, audit support, and corrective action follow-through. The Quality Assurance Engineer acts as a day-to-day steward of the QMS, ensuring procedures are followed, records are accurate, risks are identified, and compliance issues are surfaced early. This role is critical to sustaining audit readiness and protecting the organization’s license to operate.

Primary Responsibilities and Scope:

The Quality Assurance Engineer is accountable for hands-on execution of quality assurance and compliance activities within the established QMS and under the authority of the Quality Assurance Manager. The role focuses on implementation, monitoring, documentation, and follow-through rather than governance or certification ownership.

Quality Management System (QMS) Execution

• Executes assigned QMS activities to ensure ongoing compliance with AS9100 and applicable regulatory requirements
• Supports maintenance of quality procedures, work instructions, forms, and records
• Ensures document control, revision control, and record retention requirements are followed
• Verifies operational processes are executed in accordance with approved procedures

Regulatory Compliance Support

• Supports compliance to FAA and EASA requirements applicable to site approvals and operations
• Assists in interpreting regulatory and standard requirements and translating them into operational compliance checks
• Monitors compliance status and escalates potential gaps or risks
• Supports implementation of regulatory changes and standard revisions

Audit Preparation and Support

• Prepares audit evidence, records, and objective data for internal, customer, certification body, and regulatory audits
• Participates in audits as a factual subject-matter participant
• Documents audit findings, observations, and follow-up actions
• Tracks corrective actions to closure and verifies implementation effectiveness

Safety Management System (SMS) Support

• Supports execution of SMS activities including documentation, reporting, and data tracking
• Assists with hazard identification and safety data analysis related to quality and compliance
• Reinforces safety reporting and just-culture principles
• Escalates potential product safety or compliance concerns promptly

Corrective Action and Risk Management

• Supports the Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) process
• Assists with basic root cause analysis and data gathering
• Ensures corrective actions are implemented and sustained
• Identifies recurring issues or trends and escalates systemic risks

Cross-Functional Quality Assurance Support

• Works with Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality Control, and Supply Chain to ensure compliance expectations are understood
• Provides guidance on procedural and QMS requirements
• Supports quality planning and change management from a compliance perspective
• Acts as first-line QA contact for assigned processes or areas

Data, Metrics, and Reporting

• Collects and maintains QA data related to audits, CAPA, compliance checks, and QMS performance
• Prepares reports and summaries for management review
• Identifies negative trends or emerging risks
• Ensures accuracy and integrity of QA records and metrics

Expected Skills for Success

Hard Skills:

• Working knowledge of AS9100-based Quality Management Systems.
• Familiarity with FAA/EASA regulatory environments and audit processes.
• Understanding of document control, record retention, and compliance verification.
• Ability to support audits and corrective action systems.
• Competence in technical documentation and data tracking.

Soft Skills:

• Strong attention to detail and procedural discipline.
• Willingness to surface concerns and escalate risks early.
• Effective cross-functional collaboration.
• Clear, factual communication style.
• Receptive to coaching and operating within defined authority

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, or related technical discipline or equivalent experience.
• Typically, 3-7+ years of experience in quality assurance or regulated industry roles.
• Experience working within an AS9100 or ISO-based QMS.
• Audit participation experience preferred.
• Quality certifications or SMS training a plus.