Quality Engineer

To become a Quality Engineer at Vast, candidates must possess a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field. Additionally, expert knowledge in GD&T, CMM, MSA, and standards such as AS9100, AS9102, and AS9103 is essential. Proficiency in blueprint reading and First Article Inspection (FAI) is also required to excel in this role.

As a Quality Engineer at Vast, you will be responsible for ensuring the consistent quality and reliability of our products and components. This involves conducting root cause analysis, collaborating with design engineers, driving continuous improvement initiatives, and developing technical and quality requirements based on customer needs and program expectations.

Candidates holding a Master’s degree in engineering or business and those with certifications like Black or Green belt in lean and Six-Sigma methodologies will stand out for the Quality Engineer role at Vast. Experience with Quality Management Systems (ISO 9000 / AS9100 / NADCAP) and proficiency in statistical controls and methods would greatly enhance a candidate's application.

The work environment at Vast for a Quality Engineer is fast-paced and innovative, focused on pioneering space exploration. You'll collaborate with talented individuals dedicated to achieving critical mission milestones while also enjoying a culture that prizes high-quality meals and perks to support employee well-being.

Vast provides numerous growth opportunities for Quality Engineers, including the chance to take on leadership roles in continuous improvement initiatives, the ability to influence product design and manufacturing processes, and the opportunity to engage with interdisciplinary teams on pioneering projects in space technology.

GD&T, or Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing, is crucial in ensuring components meet design specifications and function properly. When answering this question, emphasize how GD&T allows for precise specifications that reduce ambiguity, helping to prevent defects and facilitating clear communication across the engineering team.

Interviewers often want to know about specific root cause analysis methods you've utilized. When answering, be detailed about the techniques like 8D and Fishbone Diagrams you have applied to identify issues and describe the results these analyses achieved. Give examples of how your actions resulted in effective corrective actions.

Quality success can be defined by meeting design specifications, achieving high reliability in products, and preventing customer complaints. Express your understanding of the importance of customer satisfaction in quality metrics and how you track success through KPIs.

Share your methodology for implementing continuous improvement initiatives, highlighting an example of a successful project, the data analyzed, and how you fostered collaboration among team members. Discuss the impact your actions had on product quality or cost reduction.

Collaboration is key to ensuring quality. Discuss how you regularly engage with design engineers, understand their design intent, and provide feedback on quality requirements and potential areas for improvement. Highlight any past experiences where collaboration led to enhanced product outcomes.

In response to this question, discuss the various metrics you might track, such as defect rates, customer feedback, and compliance with engineering specifications. Emphasize your experience in analyzing these metrics to identify areas of improvement within the product line.

When handling non-conformities, it’s important to have a structured approach. Describe your steps from identifying the issue through root cause analysis, corrective actions, and collaboration with production teams to ensure issues do not recur.

Discuss your familiarity with Quality Management Standards such as ISO 9000 or AS9100. Provide examples of how you have operated within such systems, detailing auditors' feedback or improvements in processes as a result of adhering to these quality standards.

In fast-paced environments, prioritizing quality while meeting deadlines is essential. Describe your strategies, such as setting clear expectations about quality standards from the start and incorporating quality checks into each phase of the project timeline to avoid last-minute issues.

Communication is paramount for a Quality Engineer. Explain how you actively communicate with cross-functional teams to ensure everyone is aligned, share quality-related updates, and address any quality concerns that may arise, ensuring a culture of quality throughout the organization.