A Product Quality Engineer evaluates and tests products and manufacturing systems, to ensure that products are produced that meet quality and performance standards as well as safety and regulatory requirements. Develops product quality standards and monitors production and product testing.
Quality Engineering Lead (Supervisor) Ensign-Bickford Industries United States, Connecticut, Simsbury 640 Hopmeadow Street (Show on map) Aug 05, 2026 This opportunity is located within our Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Company business, a global leader of mission-critical hardware and systems solutions including precision energetics systems and innovative explosive solutions. Job Description The Quality Engineer Lead oversees the Quality function within the assigned Value Stream and serves as the Quality representative for programs, customers, and internal operations. This role functions as both a technical Quality Engineer on select programs and as the leader of Quality Engineers and Quality Inspectors. The QEL is accountable for Value Stream quality performance, systemic issue resolution, and development of Quality talent.
Key Responsibilities:
Leadership and Team Development Leads and develops Quality Engineers and Quality Inspectors Sets goals, conducts performance reviews, and identifies training needs Distributes workload to support business priorities Establishes consistent quality best practices across the Value Stream Represents Quality in Valuestream meetings & Gemba reviews Business and Quality Performance Supports Value Stream and Operations leadership in achieving safety, quality, delivery, and cost targets through leading problem solving and corrective actions. Tracks and analyzes quality performance, trends, and systemic issues Inclusive of verifying effectiveness of corrective actions. Drives continuous improvement to reduce defects and variation Audit and Compliance Represents the Value Stream in customer, regulatory, and internal quality audits Reviews and approves audit responses Ensures compliance with quality system and customer requirements Customer and Supplier Interface Serves as the primary Quality point of contact for customers within the Value Stream Interfaces with customer quality representatives and participates in quality meetings Supports supplier visits and audits related to Value Stream programs Program and Engineering Support Supports programs from proposal through shipment Participates in proposal reviews for quality scope and labor Reviews product drawings and approves inspection plans Participates in design and risk reviews (e.g., PDRs, CDRs, FMEAs) Identifies potential defect opportunities and ensures product conformance Defines how product conformance will be verified Configuration and Change Control Acts as Quality representative for change and review boards as assigned Assesses impact of changes to production and in-process product
Requirements:
Education and Experience Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related technical discipline Experience in Quality Engineering in a manufacturing environment Aerospace or regulated manufacturing experience preferred Knowledge and Skills Ability to interpret customer specifications and develop quality plans Knowledge of
AS9100 / ISO 9001
quality systems Experience with corrective and preventive action Strong problem-solving and continuous improvement skills Experience supporting internal and external audits Proficient with Microsoft Office Strong communication and cross-functional leadership skills Preferred Qualifications Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt Experience in aerospace or defense quality systems Experience supporting new product development Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, national origin, or veteran status.
