Senior Quality Engineer

Company Overview

ARA is a leading C5ISR company that designs, manufactures, tests and installs innovative technologies that provide the national security community with unparalleled situational awareness, threat detection, and communications capabilities.

Our disruptive, integrated solutions, assemblies and subsystems rise to the challenging demands of discerning, mission-critical customers.

We leverage our capabilities to meet and exceed the requirements of our customers and empower them to remain ahead of evolving threats and complexities in a dynamic security landscape.

Job Summary

We are seeking a detail-oriented and analytical Quality Engineer to join our team. The Quality Engineer will be responsible for ensuring that our products and processes meet established quality standards and regulatory requirements. This role involves developing and implementing quality control systems, conducting inspections and audits, analyzing data to identify trends and areas for improvement, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive continuous improvement initiatives.

The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of quality management systems (QMS), statistical process control (SPC), root cause analysis, and corrective/preventive action (CAPA). Experience with ISO standards, Six Sigma, or Lean methodologies is a plus. If you are passionate about quality, problem-solving, and driving efficiency, we invite you to apply.

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ensure products and processes comply with industry standards, regulatory requirements, and company policies (e.g., ISO 9001, ISO 13485, AS9100)
• Develop and maintain Quality Management System (QMS) documentation, including procedures, work instructions, and audit reports.
• Reviews contractual documentation to identify customer requirements and ensures appropriate flow down to ensure project compliance.
• Identify areas for improvement using Lean, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies
• Lead Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and corrective/preventive action (CAPA) activities to resolve quality issues.
• Develop and implement inspection plans, test procedures, and sampling methodologies.
• Conduct first article inspections (FAI), in-process checks and final inspections to ensure product conformity.
• Collaborate with suppliers to ensure raw materials and components meet specifications.
• Work closely with manufacturing teams to monitor and improve production processes.
• Collect, analyze, and interpret quality data using statistical tools (e.g., SPC, etc)
• Generate reports, dashboards, and presentations to communicate quality trends and findings.
• Participate in internal, external, and supplier audits to assess compliance and identify risks.
• Support certification and regulatory audits by providing documentation and evidence of compliance.
• Participate in Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) and perform Preproduction Parts Approval Process (PPAP).
• Collaborate with various departments to translate engineering designs, specifications, and concepts into product and service execution.
• Provide cross-functional support in reviewing and selecting suppliers.
• Train employees on quality standards, procedures, and best practices
• Assist in the design and validation of new products to ensure quality is built into the process
• Conduct risk assessments (e.g., FMEA) to mitigate potential quality issues.

Position Qualifications

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

Competency Statements

• Adaptability - Adapts to change, open to new ideas and responsibilities
• Communication - Ability to communicate thoughts clearly, both oral and written in an honest, open and timely manner
• Job Knowledge - Understands facets of job, aware of duties and responsibilities, keeps job knowledge current
• Technical Skill - Possesses the knowledge and skills needed to perform a job or role effectively
• Dependability - Meets deadlines, works independently or in a team environment, is accountable, maintains focus, good attendance record
• Quality - Strives to eliminate errors, accurate work is a priority, seeks opportunities to improve products
• Ethics - Honest, accountable, maintains confidentiality
• Initiative / Take Ownership - Takes action, seeks new opportunities, strives to see projects to completion, meaning own your job and see it through
• Decision Making – Problem solve and critical thinking skills, be able to reach a decision, takes thoughtful approach when considering options, seeks input from others, makes difficult decisions
• Customer Focus - Understands and can meet the needs in a customer-centric (Internal and External) environment and build strong relationships. Promotes a positive image of the company and strives to solve issues raised by customers

Experience and Skills

• Experience in a manufacturing environment required.
• Extensive experience in a quality assurance environment required.
• High proficiency in computer technology and systems operations.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.
• In-depth understanding of industry market trends and conditions.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Able to work efficiently in a team environment.
• Basic mathematical arithmetic skills.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Quality Management, or a related STEM field is required plus 10 years of experience.
• Master’s degree in an Engineering field preferred

Antenna Research Associates, Inc. and its subsidiaries encourage diversity in the workplace; we are an Equal Opportunity Employer. Race/Color/Gender/Sexual Orientation/Gender/ Identity/Religion/National Origin/Disability/Veteran