Senior Process Engineer- Nickel Plating/ Electroplating

Senior Process Engineer- Nickel Plating/ Electroplating SQA Services - 3.8 Baltimore, MD Job Details Full-time | Contract $80 - $100 an hour 15 hours ago Qualifications Mechanical blueprint interpretation Measurement-based inspection Technical engineering Defect resolution root cause analysis Corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) Supplier audit compliance assessment Dimensional measurements Parts drawings Industrial plating Holding fixtures proficiency Quality control within aerospace industry Cleaning (surface preparation method) Elemental analysis Instrumentation-based inspection Production process auditing Failure analysis Full Job Description SQA Services is seeking an experienced Aerospace Nickel Plating / Special Process Subject Matter Expert (SME) to support technical assessments, process remediation, supplier recovery activities, and process capability evaluations within aerospace manufacturing supply chains. The SME will provide hands-on technical expertise in electroplating processes, special process controls, plating defect analysis, fixturing/racking optimization, and process validation at supplier manufacturing locations. The role will support aerospace customers experiencing plating-related quality, dimensional, cosmetic, and process-capability issues that impact production and delivery performance. This position requires a deep technical understanding of aerospace plating processes and the ability to collaborate with suppliers, customers, manufacturing engineering teams, and quality organizations to identify root causes and implement sustainable corrective actions. This is a short-term (2-week) consulting postition working full-time hours on the first shift. Key Responsibilities Technical Process Assessment Perform onsite assessments of aerospace electroplating operations including nickel plating and related special processes Evaluate plating process flow, controls, equipment, chemistry management, and operator practices Assess process stability, repeatability, and overall process maturity Identify process gaps, risk areas, and probable root cause contributors Racking & Fixturing Evaluation Evaluate rack design suitability and current distribution effectiveness Assess electrical contact integrity and repeatability Analyze part orientation, shielding, thieving, and loading configurations Identify conditions contributing to: plating thickness non-uniformity, edge buildup, burning, bubbling/blistering, gas entrapment, cosmetic defects, or inadequate coverage Defect Investigation & Root Cause Analysis Support technical investigations involving plating defects and process instability Review interactions between: machined part geometry, surface finish, process controls, fixturing, and plating outcomes Participate in root cause analysis and corrective action development Validate effectiveness of implemented corrective actions Process Validation & Trial Support Witness plating trials and corrective action implementation activities Support evaluation of revised fixturing and process parameter adjustments Review thickness mapping and inspection results Assess process repeatability and capability indicators Supplier Technical Support Interface directly with supplier engineering, quality, and operations teams Provide technical recommendations for process improvement and stabilization Support supplier recovery and process remediation activities Communicate technical findings clearly to customer and supplier leadership Documentation & Reporting Generate detailed technical assessment reports Document process gaps, observations, risks, and recommendations Support development of remediation plans and process improvement roadmaps Provide objective technical recommendations regarding supplier viability and process capability Required Technical Expertise Candidates should possess strong working knowledge of: Aerospace Electroplating Processes Nickel plating Electroless nickel processes Aerospace special process controls Surface preparation and activation methods Cleaning and pretreatment operations Plating chemistry fundamentals Current density effects Hydrogen-related plating risks Cosmetic and functional plating defect mechanisms Racking & Current Distribution Rack design principles Shielding and thieving methods Electrical contact optimization Part orientation effects Current path distribution High/low current density effects Fixture repeatability and maintenance Inspection & Verification Plating thickness measurement methods XRF systems Cross-sectional analysis Measurement system considerations Inspection methodology evaluation Interpretation of plating specifications and acceptance criteria Aerospace Manufacturing Environment Aerospace quality systems Special process controls Root cause and corrective action methodologies Process capability concepts Engineering drawing interpretation GD&T interpretation Supplier quality expectations within aerospace manufacturing Preferred Qualifications 10+ years of aerospace electroplating or special process experience Experience supporting aerospace OEMs or Tier 1 suppliers NADCAP special process experience strongly preferred Experience with nickel plating process troubleshooting and remediation Experience with complex machined aerospace hardware Experience supporting supplier recovery activities Strong technical writing and reporting capabilities Ability to work independently onsite at supplier facilities Preferred Industry Experience Experience supporting one or more of the following industries is preferred: Aerospace Space launch systems Defense Precision machining Flight hardware manufacturing High-reliability manufacturing environments Key Attributes Strong technical troubleshooting capability Hands-on process evaluation mindset Ability to communicate effectively with both executive leadership and shop floor personnel Objective and data-driven decision making Collaborative but technically assertive approach Ability to rapidly assess manufacturing risk and process maturity Work Environment Significant onsite supplier support activities may be required Travel to customer and supplier manufacturing locations required Short-duration intensive technical assessments and remediation activities typical SQA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment is based on merit and qualifications, and is not influenced by race, color, religion, gender, national origin, veteran status, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, or any other legally protected status. Apply today for immediate consideration! Must be ITAR compliant and willing to undergo a background check. We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.