Westland SENIOR Quality Engiineer

Position: Westland SENIOR QUALITY ENGIINEER
Salary Range 105, (Plus Bonus) The Senior Quality Assurance Engineer (Sr. QAE) is a critical leadership role responsible for owning and advancing the Quality Assurance function at Westland Technologies in a defense-industrial manufacturing environment. This position is designed for a seasoned quality professional experienced in aerospace, defense, or other highly regulated manufacturing sectors, where discipline, traceability, and customer confidence are paramount.

The Sr. QAE will serve as the site Quality Assurance authority, ensuring compliance with ISO 9001:2015 and customer-specific requirements while driving a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and risk-based thinking. As the primary customer-facing Quality representative, this role requires confidence interfacing with primes, government representatives, and auditors. This is a hands-on leadership position requiring both strategic oversight and daily engagement on the manufacturing floor.

Key Responsibilities Quality Leadership & Strategy
* Act as a site Quality leader, setting direction and expectations for Quality Assurance activities.
* Align site Quality practices with corporate QMS strategy, policies, and procedures.
* Develop, maintain, and improve internal Quality policies, procedures, and work instructions.
* Mentor and develop Quality Engineers, inspectors, and cross-functional team members in quality principles and tools. Quality Management System (ISO 9001:2015)
* Ensure site maintains compliance with ISO 9001:2015 requirements.
* Lead internal audits, support external audits, and ensure timely and effective corrective actions.
* Ensure effective document control, risk management, and CAPA systems.
* Proactively assess QMS effectiveness and implement improvements to prevent recurrence of nonconformances. Customer Interface & Problem Resolution
* Serve as the primary Quality interface to customers.
* Prepare and present regular quality updates, metrics, and corrective action status to customers.
* Lead customer complaint investigations, root cause analysis, and corrective/preventive actions.
* Support customer audits, source inspections, and quality reviews. Continuous Improvement & Quality Tools
* Lead and facilitate structured problem-solving using tools such as: *

5 Why / Root Cause Analysis
* Fishbone (Ishikawa)
* FMEA
* SPC
* Control Plans
* PDCA / DMAIC
* Drive Lean and Lean Six Sigma initiatives to reduce scrap, rework, variation, and cost of quality.
* Use data-driven methods to improve process capability and product reliability. Engineering & Manufacturing Support
* Partner with Engineering on new product introduction (NPI), design changes, and sustaining engineering.
* Review drawings, specifications, and changes for quality and manufacturability.
* Apply GD&T principles to ensure proper inspection planning and acceptance criteria.
* Participate in MRB activities and disposition of nonconforming material.
* Ensure inspection plans, travelers, and work instructions support robust and repeatable processes. Cross-Functional Collaboration
* Lead cross-functional teams to resolve systemic quality and process issues.
* Influence without authority to drive corrective actions and improvement initiatives.
* Support Operations in achieving Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost objectives.

Required Qualifications
* Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline (Mechanical, Manufacturing, Chemical, Materials, etc.).
* Minimum of 8 years of experience supporting manufacturing operations in a quality or engineering role.
* Direct, hands-on experience working within an ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System.
* Strong working knowledge of quality systems, risk management, and root cause analysis.
* Demonstrated experience using advanced quality and problem-solving tools.
* Proven ability to communicate effectively with customers at a technical and management level.
* Strong leadership, organizational, and prioritization skills. Preferred / Desired Qualifications
* Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
* Demonstrated experience leading Lean initiatives and continuous improvement programs in a regulated manufacturing environment.
* Supervisory or functional leadership experience.
* Strong knowledge of GD&T and blueprint interpretation.
* Experience with statistical methods, process capability studies, and design of experiments.
* Prior experience supporting defense, aerospace, maritime, or government-regulated programs.
* Familiarity with customer audits, source inspections, and government or prime-contractor quality requirements. Core Competencies
* Quality Leadership in Regulated Environments
* Customer & Program Confidence
* Structured Problem Solving (DMAIC / PDCA)
* Risk-Based & Data-Driven Decision Making
* Cross-Functional Influence & Accountability
* Continuous Improvement & Lean Mindset
* Strong Written and Verbal Communication
* Integrity, Ownership, and Professional Judgment

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