FlightWave Aerospace - A Red Cat Company · 11 hours ago
Senior NPI Quality Engineer
Torrance, CA
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level
$132K/yr - $183K/yr
7+ years expFlightWave Aerospace - A Red Cat Company is seeking a highly skilled Senior New Product Introduction (NPI) Quality Engineer to join their growing UAV systems organization. This role focuses on ensuring the highest standards of quality, manufacturability, and reliability across platforms, partnering cross-functionally to define inspection standards and drive corrective actions.
AerospaceTransportationBig DataData Collection and Labeling
No H1B
U.S. Citizen Only
Responsibilities
Lead quality activities for NPI programs, collaborating with Design, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain to integrate quality requirements early in product development
Establish comprehensive inspection criteria, control plans, and measurement systems in accordance with AS9100 and customer expectations
Perform data-driven analysis of process performance, first-pass yield, and defect trends; develop and implement corrective and preventive actions
Facilitate structured problem solving (8D, DMAIC, Fishbone, 5 Why, FMEA) to identify root causes and implement robust corrective actions with measurable results
Partner with Supplier Quality Engineers to ensure quality expectations, inspection plans, and production controls are established and effective
Support design reviews, process reviews, and readiness gates with actionable quality metrics and risk assessments
Drive continuous improvement of quality processes and tools; strengthen organizational capability through mentorship and knowledge sharing
Ensure all quality documentation maintains compliance with internal procedures, customer requirements, and regulatory standards
Provide expert guidance on nonconformance disposition, NCR escalation, and callback prevention strategies
Lead and support root cause analysis, corrective and preventive actions (RCCA/CAPA), and Material Review Board (MRB) activities for both internal processes and supplier-related issues
Partner with engineering and manufacturing to proactively address quality issues and reduce variability
Contribute to the development and refinement of the Quality Management System (QMS) in alignment with AS9100 and ISO 9001 requirements
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Aerospace, Industrial, or related technical discipline)
7+ years of progressive quality engineering experience in aerospace, defense, or high-technology manufacturing environments
Strong proficiency with structured problem solving and quality tools (APQP/PPAP, SPC, Gage R&R, control plans, process audits)
Experience supporting NPI programs from concept through production with measurable quality impact
Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to influence cross-functional teams and drive accountability
Demonstrated expertise in interpreting engineering drawings (GD&T), specifications, Statements of Work (SOWs), and quality clauses
Strong knowledge of AS9100/ISO 9001 Quality Management System requirements
Demonstrated ability to lead RCCA activities and drive closure on quality issues
Preferred
Experience working with UAVs, aircraft structures, avionics, or complex defense systems
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-growth environment with evolving technical and program requirements
CQE (Certified Quality Engineer)
Six Sigma Green/Black Belt
Benefits
Generous annual equity package
Potential bonuses
Company
FlightWave Aerospace - A Red Cat Company
FlightWave Aerospace is a division of Red Cat, focused on delivering extended short-range, endurance-optimized uncrewed aircraft for mission-critical operations.
51-200 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageTotal Funding
$1.9MKey Investors
United States Air ForceSnowpoint VenturesBreakout Labs
2024-09-17Grant· $1.9M
2024-06-11Acquired
2022-03-15Series Unknown
Leadership Team
Trent Lukaczyk
CTO & Co-Founder
Recent News
2025-10-10
Red Cat Holdings, Inc.
2025-04-07
Company data provided by crunchbase