Product Quality Engineer - job 5 of 5

As a Product Quality Engineer at Anduril Industries, your primary responsibilities will include driving quality processes throughout the product development phases, collaborating with design engineers to ensure manufacturability and reliability, and leading audits and reviews to maintain compliance with quality management systems. You'll also be involved in Root Cause and Corrective Action (RCCA) activities while providing quality metrics to project teams and stakeholders.

To apply for the Product Quality Engineer position at Anduril Industries, you should have a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a similar technical field, along with experience in engineering, manufacturing, or quality roles, preferably within aerospace or related systems. Familiarity with quality management methodologies such as FMEA and APQP is essential, along with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

The Product Quality Engineer plays a pivotal role at Anduril Industries by ensuring that our Launched Effects products meet stringent quality and reliability standards. Through collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, effective quality planning, and the execution of risk management strategies, the engineer directly influences the overall success and market competitiveness of our defense technology products.

Anduril Industries prefers candidates for the Product Quality Engineer role who have 5-7 years of experience in developing quality systems within low-volume, high-complex manufacturing environments. Experience with government contracts and MIL standards, as well as familiarity with IPC standards, is also beneficial. Additionally, knowledge of tools like SolidWorks/NX, Jira, and metrics generation software will enhance your application.

While relevant experience is preferred for the Product Quality Engineer position at Anduril Industries, candidates with strong foundational knowledge in engineering, manufacturing, or quality systems, combined with a passion for continuous improvement and learning, are encouraged to apply. Demonstrating relevant skills and knowledge can make you a strong candidate, even without direct experience in a similar role.

When discussing quality processes in an interview for a Product Quality Engineer role, emphasize processes such as Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA), Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), and Root Cause and Corrective Action (RCCA). Discuss your experience with implementing these processes, providing examples of how they enhanced product quality and reliability.

To ensure compliance in engineering projects, I follow a structured approach that includes regular audits, process documentation, and training. For instance, I would establish a quality management system that ensures all team members understand compliance requirements, and I would conduct readiness reviews to validate project alignment with quality standards.

In my experience with design reviews, I focus on collaboration with cross-functional teams to assess potential risks and manufacturability. Contributing to design iterations before production has allowed me to catch issues early, thereby enhancing product quality and aligning with customer expectations. Sharing concrete examples during the interview will strengthen your answer.

Absolutely! I once led an initiative to streamline the quality control process for a new product line. By implementing more rigorous testing phases and providing training to the team, we improved product pass rates by 30% and significantly reduced rework costs. Sharing specific metrics and outcomes will make your answer impactful.

I adopt a proactive approach to risk management by identifying potential risks early in the product development lifecycle. This involves conducting risk assessments regularly, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and utilizing tools like FMEA to evaluate risks systematically. Highlight experiences where your proactive management led to successful outcomes.

I am proficient in several quality engineering software tools such as Matlab, JMP, and Minitab, which I use for statistical analysis and data mining. I also have experience with project management tools like Jira to track progress and document issues. Discuss specific projects where these tools significantly contributed to enhancing quality.

When handling discrepancies, my approach involves conducting a root cause analysis to understand the underlying issues. I lead discussions with the relevant teams to develop corrective action plans and ensure that lessons learned are documented for future reference. Sharing specific instances where this process was successful illustrates your capabilities.

AS9100 is an internationally recognized quality management standard specifically for the aerospace industry. It incorporates ISO 9001 but adds additional requirements tailored to aerospace manufacturing. I believe it is crucial in ensuring consistent quality and compliance with regulatory requirements, and I have implemented AS9100 practices in previous roles to enhance product standards.

Prioritization in managing multiple projects is essential. I typically evaluate project timelines and quality requirements, then create a priority matrix to determine which tasks require immediate attention. By being organized and using tools like Gantt charts, I ensure that I stay on track while maintaining the expected quality throughout the development process.

To keep abreast of industry trends, I regularly participate in professional development opportunities, such as webinars, workshops, and conferences. I also subscribe to relevant journals and follow key thought leaders in aerospace and quality engineering. Sharing specific resources or events that have been particularly influential in your career can demonstrate your commitment to continuous learning.