Supplier Quality Engineering, Rocket Motor Systems

Job description

Job responsibilities

• Serve as the dedicated supplier quality focal for Rocket Motor Systems, embedded at the McHenry facility, providing RMS engineering, manufacturing, and program teams with a single point of accountability for all…
• Act as the first responder for supplier quality escapes, nonconformances, and delivery disruptions, leading immediate containment and triage while determining when to engage commodity-based SQE specialists for deeper…
• Own the supplier corrective action lifecycle for RMS — from SCAR issuance through root cause verification and effectiveness confirmation — and present corrective action status, trends, and closure rates to the RMS…
• Develop and maintain a supplier quality development plan aligned to each critical RMS supplier, identifying capability gaps, process maturity levels, and the specific investments needed to transition from…
• Conduct regular supplier site visits to assess manufacturing processes, quality systems, and production controls firsthand — and reciprocally host suppliers at the McHenry facility so they can walk the production…
• Learn the rocket motor product deeply — propellant formulation and processing, motor case fabrication, nozzle and thermal protection systems, insulation, igniters, and final assembly — so that supplier quality…
• Partner with RMS design engineering during product development to provide design-for-manufacturability and design-for-inspectability feedback, ensuring that supplier capability and process variation are considered…
• Drive supplier qualification activities including First Article Inspection (AS9102), Production Part Approval Process (PPAP), measurement systems analysis (MSA), and process capability studies — with a focus on…

Job requirements

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, materials science, chemistry, or a related technical discipline.
• 5+ years of supplier quality engineering experience in aerospace, defense, or propulsion manufacturing, with direct responsibility for supplier development, auditing, and corrective action management.
• Experience scaling supplier quality from development and prototype phases through low-rate initial production (LRIP) to full-rate production, including the process changes and controls required at each transition.
• Working knowledge of AS9100/ISO 9001 quality management system requirements, with experience conducting or leading supplier audits. AS9100 Lead Auditor certification or equivalent is a plus.
• Proficiency with First Article Inspection (AS9102), PPAP, APQP, FMEA, and measurement systems analysis (MSA), and the ability to apply these tools in a supplier development context rather than just a compliance context.
• Demonstrated ability to lead root cause investigations and corrective action processes (8D, SCAR, fishbone, fault tree) through to verified effectiveness, not just paperwork closure.
• Familiarity with energetic materials, solid propellant manufacturing, or ordnance/pyrotechnic supply chains — including the safety, regulatory, and handling requirements unique to these commodities.
• Willingness to travel up to 50% of the time to supplier facilities, with the balance of time on-site at the McHenry, MS facility engaging directly with RMS engineering, manufacturing, and test operations.