Quality Engineer
Location: Los Alamitos, CA
Introduction to Latecoere
Tier 1 to the world’s leading industry manufacturers, Latecoere serves aerospace with innovative solutions for a sustainable world. The Group operates in all segments of the aerospace industry (commercial, regional, business, defense and space) in two business areas: Aerostructures (doors, fuselage, wings and empennage, struts & rods) and Interconnection Systems (wiring, avionic racks, onboard equipment, electronic systems).
Position Summary
Latecoere Interconnection Systems is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Quality Engineer to support our growing aerospace manufacturing operations. This role is instrumental in ensuring the highest standards of product quality, regulatory compliance, and customer satisfaction while driving continuous improvement throughout our manufacturing and supply chain processes.
The ideal candidate will be a hands-on problem solver who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is passionate about quality, operational excellence, and delivering products that meet the stringent requirements of the aerospace industry.
The Quality Engineer is responsible for developing, maintaining, and improving quality systems that ensure compliance with customer, industry, and regulatory requirements. This position collaborates closely with Manufacturing, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Customers to drive corrective actions, improve processes, reduce risk, and promote a culture of continuous improvement.
Key Responsibilities
· Develop, implement, and maintain quality systems and procedures in compliance with AS9100, ISO 9001, customer, and regulatory requirements.
· Partner with manufacturing and engineering teams to ensure quality requirements are understood and effectively integrated into production processes.
· Lead root cause investigations and corrective action initiatives using structured problem-solving methodologies such as 8D, 5 Whys, and Fishbone Analysis.
· Investigate nonconforming products and processes, implement corrective actions, and verify long-term effectiveness.
· Perform process audits, product inspections, and quality assessments to ensure compliance with established standards.
· Review engineering drawings, specifications, and manufacturing documentation to verify quality requirements are properly defined and achieved.
· Lead and manage First Article Inspection (FAI) activities in accordance with AS9102 requirements, including planning, preparation, review, approval and customer submission of FAI packages.
· Develop and execute the internal audit program, including process, product, and system audits, while supporting customer, regulatory, and certification audits.
· Collaborate with suppliers and internal stakeholders to resolve supplier quality concerns and support supplier performance monitoring and corrective action activities.
- Serve as the primary quality interface for customer quality matters, including customer complaints, investigations, corrective actions, compliance requirements, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Maintain and monitor customer-specific quality requirements, contractual quality clauses, and compliance matrices to ensure effective flow-down and compliance with customer, regulatory, and organizational requirements.
- Analyze quality performance metrics and trends, assess risks, support risk management activities (including PFMEAs and Control Plans), communicate lessons learned, and drive data-based improvement initiatives across the organization.
· Analyze quality metrics and performance data to identify trends, mitigate risks, and drive continuous improvement projects.
· Participate in PFMEA, Control Plan development, and other risk management activities to improve product and process reliability.
· Champion quality-focused initiatives that enhance operational efficiency, product performance, and customer satisfaction.
Required Qualifications
· Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, or a related technical discipline.
· 2-5 years of Quality Engineering experience within aerospace, aviation, defense, or another highly regulated manufacturing environment.
· Working knowledge of AS9100, ISO 9001, and applicable regulatory requirements.
· Experience leading root cause analysis and corrective action activities.
· Experience interpreting customer-specific quality requirements, contractual quality clauses, and aerospace flow-down requirements.
· Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and GD&T.
· Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
· Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to work cross-functionally.
Preferred Qualifications
· Experience supporting aerospace manufacturing environments, including cable assemblies, electromechanical assemblies, machining, composites, or special processes.
· Knowledge of AS9102 First Article Inspection requirements.
· Experience with supplier quality management, audits, and supplier corrective actions.
- Experience managing customer quality requirements matrices and compliance tracking systems.
- Experience interacting directly with aerospace customers regarding quality issues, corrective actions, and First Article Inspection submissions.
· Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Six Sigma Green Belt/Black Belt, or similar quality certifications.
· Experience with ERP/MRP systems and electronic Quality Management Systems (QMS).
· Familiarity with IPC/WHMA-A-620 quality standards.
Why Join Latecoere?
· Opportunity to make a direct impact in a growing aerospace manufacturing operation.
· Collaborative and team-oriented work environment.
· Exposure to cutting-edge aerospace products and technologies.
· Ability to lead meaningful quality and continuous improvement initiatives.
· Career growth opportunities within a global aerospace organization.
Working Conditions
· Combination of office and manufacturing floor environment.
· Occasional travel to customer or supplier locations may be required.
Salary Range: $90,000 to $100,000
#WeAreLatecoere: the diversity of our teams is a strength. As a responsible employer, Latecoere encourages an inclusive work environment and is committed to equal opportunities for all candidates, without restriction.
All our jobs address the challenges of innovation and sustainable development. Join us to boost your career and contribute to our purpose: to serve aerospace with innovative solutions for a sustainable world.
Pay: $90,000.00 - $100,000.00 per year
Experience:
- Aerospace Quality: 2 years (Preferred)
- AS9100: 1 year (Preferred)
Ability to Commute:
- Los Alamitos, CA 90720 (Required)
Work Location: In person
