Quality Engineer at Firehawk Aerospace Inc – Crawford, Mississippi

Firehawk Aerospace is a leading propulsion-focused aerospace and defense company located in Addison, TX. Our innovative approach empowers us to design and manufacture cutting-edge solid and hybrid rocket motors and engines. We aim to push the boundaries of propulsion technology to serve both commercial and defense sectors.

This position will be full-time located at our Crawford, MS, facility with occasional travel potentially required (approximately 10%).

Position Details
Firehawk Aerospace is seeking a highly qualified Quality Engineer responsible for establishing and executing quality assurance in compliance with AS9100 at our Crawford, MS facility. This role supports cross-functional teams to establish robust production controls, validate manufacturing processes, mitigate risk, and ensure product conformity to customer and regulatory requirements.
The ideal candidate has experience in aerospace manufacturing environments and has supported programs through New Product Introduction (NPI) into stabilized production, driving continuous improvement throughout to deliver strategic value and profitable growth for the business.

Responsibilities
• Collaborate with program management, supplier quality, manufacturing, and engineering to ensure manufacturing activities are performed in compliance with the Firehawk Quality Management System.
• Support Production Readiness Reviews (PRR), perform First Article Inspections (FAI) in accordance with AS9102, and prepare physical configuration audits (PCA).
• Develop and maintain quality procedures, work instructions, and process documentation aligned with production readiness.
• Develop control plans, PFMEAs, and inspection plans for production readiness.
• Validate process capability and support process qualification activities.
• Identify risks during scale-up and implement mitigation strategies.
• Engage the customer quality representative to ensure compliance with contractual requirements.
• Work collaboratively with Firehawk supplier quality in the effective resolution of supplier issues affecting manufacturing.
• Serve as the site quality representative for external AS9100 and customer audits.
• Establish and maintain the site quality audit program and FOD prevention program.
• Manage the site calibration and material shelf-life programs.
• Investigate internal and external quality issues and lead the cross-functional Material Review Board to determine root cause, drive timely resolutions, and implement effective corrective and preventative actions.
• Drive quality improvements through variation reduction with process controls, defined quality defect criteria, clear and accurate manufacturing work instructions, effective training, and creative and innovative human error elimination tools.
• Work with manufacturing engineering to optimize processes, including automation of manufacturing and in-process and final quality inspection methods, to reduce Cost of Poor Quality (CoPQ) and ergonomic safety risks for manufacturing and quality control employees.
• Prepare and submit certification books and Ammo Data Cards for production lots.
• Generate quality alerts to heighten employee awareness of internal or external quality concerns.

Basic Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field with a minimum of 5 years of experience in quality assurance within defense or aerospace manufacturing.
• Working knowledge of AS9100 quality management systems and AS9102 First Article Inspection requirements.
• Experience in New Product Introduction (NPI) with transition from development to full-rate production.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking capabilities, sound judgement coupled with effective decision-making skills and attention to detail, and a passion for problem solving and continuous improvement.
• Working knowledge of statistics, with particular emphasis on process control, sample selection, and measurement systems.
• Ability to drive root cause analysis and corrective actions in a cross-functional team environment utilizing Lean methodologies.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously while delivering results in a high paced environment.
• Strong work ethic and self-motivated with the ability to work independently or in a team atmosphere.
• Ability to obtain and maintain U.S. security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications
• Experience in ordnance and use of energetic material powders or propellants and with special processes (composites, machining, Non-destructive Testing (NDT))
• Familiarity with MIL-STD-1916, MIL-STD 1129, MIL-STD 1130, MIL-STD-1168, and DoD 4145
• Experience with enterprise tools such as Costpoint, TipSFE, and TipQA.
• Working knowledge of PFMEAs, PLVs, and SPC using the 8D Methodology and Lean methodologies.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements:
• Employees may be required to lift/carry/push/pull up to 25 pounds.
• May require the ability to travel (approximately 10%).
• May require the use of personal protective equipment such as safety glasses, safety shoes, and shop coat.

Security Clearance:
May be required to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance at the appropriate level. Requires U.S. Citizenship. Must also be able to satisfy federal government requirements for access to government information, and having dual citizenship may preclude you from being able to meet this requirement.

ITAR Requirements:
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Benefits at Firehawk Aerospace
At Firehawk Aerospace, we are committed to supporting the well-being of our employees and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package is designed to provide peace of mind and help you thrive both personally and professionally.
• Health Coverage: We offer 100% employer-paid medical premiums for employees and up to 75% coverage for dependents under select plans, with additional options for PPO and HDHP plans. Coverage begins the first of the month following your hire date.
• Dental and Vision Plans: Affordable dental and vision plans with extensive coverage options, including preventive care, orthodontics, and allowances for contacts and frames.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Access to free, confidential services, including counseling, legal consultations, wellness coaching, and virtual concierge services to support your work-life balance.
• Flexible Work Schedule: Enjoy a 9/80 schedule option, allowing for greater flexibility and work-life balance.
• On-Site Perks: Complimentary snacks and refreshments to keep you energized throughout the day.
• Professional Growth: Mentorship opportunities with industry-leading engineers and engagement in cutting-edge projects at the forefront of aerospace innovation.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement:
Firehawk Aerospace is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Firehawk Aerospace is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.