Quality Engineer I (Aerospace - 1st Shift - Growing!) in Winsted, Connecticut at DRT Holdings, LLC

DRT is seeking a Quality Engineer I to join our growing aerospace manufacturing team. This is an outstanding opportunity for an early-career engineer or quality professional who wants to develop expertise in aerospace manufacturing, quality systems, process validation, and continuous improvement.

You'll work alongside experienced Manufacturing Engineers, Quality Engineers, Operations leaders, and suppliers while gaining hands-on exposure to advanced aerospace manufacturing processes, AS9100 quality systems, First Article Inspection (FAIR), PPAP, supplier quality, and process improvement initiatives.

If you enjoy solving technical challenges, analyzing processes, and driving quality improvements, we'd love to hear from you!

Drive Manufacturing Quality

• Support qualification and validation of aerospace manufacturing processes.

• Lead and coordinate AS9102 First Article Inspection Reports (FAIR), PPAP submissions, and process validation activities.

• Develop and improve quality plans that align customer, engineering, and manufacturing requirements.

• Create and maintain in-process and final inspection documentation.

• Conduct Gage R&R, MSA, and correlation studies to ensure measurement accuracy.

• Review engineering drawings, specifications, GD&T requirements, and customer quality requirements.

Solve Real Production Challenges

• Participate in Material Review Board (MRB) activities and help resolve nonconforming material issues.

• Support Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) investigations and corrective action implementation.

• Analyze quality and process performance metrics to identify improvement opportunities.

• Partner with Manufacturing, Engineering, and Inspection teams to resolve quality concerns and improve process capability.

Support Aerospace Quality Systems

• Help maintain compliance with AS9100 and customer-specific requirements.

• Participate in internal and external audits.

• Maintain quality documentation, traceability records, inspection reports, and KPI metrics.

Improve Processes

• Support Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, and Six Sigma initiatives.

• Utilize SPC and data analysis tools to improve process performance.

• Drive improvements that reduce scrap, rework, and variation while increasing efficiency.

What We're Looking For

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Aerospace, Quality, Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Technology, or a related technical field.

• 3+ years of manufacturing, quality, engineering, or related technical experience.

• Experience supporting AS9102 FAIR, PPAP, and process validation activities.

• Experience with First Piece, In-Process, and Final Inspection activities.

• Experience participating in RCCA investigations and corrective action implementation.

• Strong understanding of GD&T.

• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and inspection requirements.

• Knowledge of AS9100 and/or ISO 9001 quality systems.

• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Excel.

Preferred Qualifications

• Aerospace or other regulated manufacturing experience.

• Six Sigma Green Belt certification.

• DQR and/or LCS (CLCSR) certification.

• Internal Quality Management System auditing experience.

• Experience with VBA or Python.

• Familiarity with Hexagon PC-DMIS, Mitutoyo systems, and GOM software.

• Exposure to supplier quality and supplier audits.

• CQE, Lean Manufacturing, or additional quality certifications.

• Experience supporting OEM, Tier 1 aerospace suppliers, or FAA-regulated environments.

Apply Today

If you're a motivated engineer or quality professional looking to grow your career in aerospace manufacturing and make a direct impact on quality, reliability, and operational excellence, apply today and join DRT's expanding aerospace team.