Quality Lead

## Description

# *Job Summary:*

The Senior Quality Engineer is responsible for leading quality engineering activities at Milton Manufacturing, a precision manufacturer of components for military vehicle programs and automotive customers operating in a low-volume, prototype-driven environment. This role builds and owns Milton’s Quality Management System (QMS), drives ISO 9001:2015 certification, establishes shop-floor quality procedures and inspection controls, and ensures products and processes meet company, customer, and regulatory requirements.

# *Supervisory Responsibilities:*

• None, though this role mentors and provides technical directions to production and quality staff on inspection methods and quality procedures.

## Duties/Responsibilities

## Quality Management System & Certification

• Leads the design, documentation, and implementation of Milton’s Quality Management System in alignment with ISO 9001:2015, including the Quality Manual, document control procedures, internal audit program, and corrective/preventive action (CAPA) process.
• Serves as management representative for ISO 9001 certification efforts, including readiness assessments, gap analysis, and coordination with external certification auditors.
• Establishes and maintains a structured internal audit schedule covering processes, product lines, and supplier quality.
• Builds a roadmap toward AS9100 readiness to support military vehicle program requirements, and IATF 16949 awareness for automotive customer programs.
• Ensures compliance with defense industry standards and regulations (e.g., ITAR, AS9100, ISO).

## Shop-Floor Quality Implementation

• Develops, implements, and maintains quality plans, work instructions, inspection checkpoints, and standard operating procedures at each workstation across the shop.
• Establishes First Article Inspection (FAI) procedures for new and revised parts, appropriate to a prototype/low-volume production environment, including IMDS reports and dimensional scanning.
• Implements and maintains a nonconforming material process and Material Review Board (MRB) disposition workflow.
• Owns the gauge and tooling calibration program, ensuring measurement equipment is controlled, traceable, and audit ready.
• Implements configuration and engineering change control to ensure the correct print revision is built and traceable for every job.

## Problem Solving & Continuous Improvement

• Conducts root cause analysis for product and process non-conformances and leads corrective and preventive action using structured methods (8D, 5 Whys, Fishbone, FMEA).
• Monitors key quality metrics and analyzes inspection data to identify trends, risks, and process improvement opportunities, reducing scrap and rework.
• Mentors’ production and quality staff on inspection methods, GD&T interpretation, and quality procedures.
• Supports production and engineering teams in resolving quality issues and improving processes, including new product introductions and process changes with risk assessments and quality planning.

## Supplier & Customer Quality

• Performs audits, inspections, and quality assessments of products, materials, and suppliers; collaborates with suppliers to resolve quality issues and maintain supplier quality standards.
• Serves as the quality point of contact for military and automotive customer audits, quality flow-down requirements, and contractual quality obligations.
• Reviews engineering drawings, specifications, and manufacturing documentation for quality compliance.
• Maintains documentation and records required for defense contract compliance, including support for export control (ITAR/EAR) recordkeeping as applicable.
• Prepares quality metrics and reporting for leadership and customer reviews.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

## Qualifications

## Required Skills/Abilities

• Proficiency in interpreting technical drawings, specifications, and manufacturing processes; strong GD&T and blueprint reading skills, comfortable working from engineering drawings on one-off and short-run parts.
• Working knowledge of ISO 9001:2015 requirements and audit processes; experience standing up or maturing a Quality Management System strongly preferred.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification (or equivalent demonstrated competency in root cause analysis and process improvement).
• Hands-on experience with precision measurement equipment (CMM, calipers, micrometers, gauges) and calibration programs.
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, and organizational skills, with experience in quality management systems and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills to work across teams and with external suppliers and customers.

## Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with AS9100 and/or defense/military supplier quality requirements.
• Familiarity with IATF 16949 or automotive customer quality systems (PPAP, APQP, Core Tools).
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification.
• Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or Certified Quality Auditor (CQA) through ASQ.
• Experience with configuration management/change control in a prototype or low-volume production setting.
• Familiarity with ITAR/export control recordkeeping requirements.

## Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality Management, Manufacturing, or related field; ASQ certification (CQE, CQA) preferred.
• 5+ years of quality engineering experience in a manufacturing environment, preferably in defense, aerospace, or automotive industries; experience standing up or maturing a QMS strongly preferred.

## Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, and inspect production areas for extended periods.
• Regular presence on the shop floor in a manufacturing environment, in addition to office-based documentation and audit work.
• Some roles supporting military vehicle programs may require the ability to obtain or maintain government program access; specific clearance requirements, if any, will be confirmed during the hiring process.