Careers at Northwest UAV

Quality Project Engineer
Quality Project Engineer
by HR / on Aug 05, 2026

Quality Project Engineer

Location: 11160 SW Durham Lane, McMinnville, OR 97128 USA
Industry: Aerospace & Aviation / Manufacturing
Occupational Category: Quality Control
Hours: Full-Time, Monday–Friday (40 hours / OT as necessary) | DOE/Non-Exempt

Description: Northwest UAV builds small, specialized engines for specific unmanned systems applications. The Quality Engineer supports maintaining and improving NWUAV’s quality management system (QMS) to help ensure products and processes meet the requirements of controlled quality documentation. The Quality Engineer will partner with the Quality Manager to drive improvements, and identify/implement, preventive and corrective actions.

Key Responsibilities:
  • Participate in New Project Introductions and support quality planning.
  • Lead Advance Product Quality Planning (APQP), engaging the necessary departments and stakeholders to include but not limited to Business Development, Engineering, Machining and Production.
  • Institute techniques to control process and production methods to monitor process behaviors, discover issues in internal systems and find solutions for production issues.
  • Interpret customer specifications, engineering drawings, specifications, and acceptance criteria.
  • Participate in frequent customer interactions for the purposes of regular business update meetings, reporting, issue resolution, and cooperative continuous improvement opportunities that improve our products and increase customer satisfaction.
  • Advocate for assuring products are designed for manufacturing.
  • Support product inspection as well as process validation activities.
  • Participate in Material Review Board (MRB) for nonconformance (NC) completion.
  • Ensure positive supplier communications to support process of new product, product changes, or nonconformance corrections.
  • Conduct supplier quality audits to ensure vendors’ QMS and their supplies/services conform to established acceptance criteria.
  • Review work instructions for adequate sequences and inspection points.
  • Support and review First Article Inspections (FAI) per AS9102.
  • Support internal audits of QMS.
  • Identify areas for continual improvement opportunities.
  • Monitor and report quality metrics to the Quality Manager or Executive Team.
  • Ensure all work is performed safely, professionally and on schedule.
  • Ensure NWUAV QMS meets requirements of AS9100 aerospace quality standard.
  • Be available to travel for training, auditing, and inspection purposes as needed.
  • Perform all other duties as assigned by the Quality Manager.
Skills, Experience, and Aptitude:
  • Minimum of 5 years’ experience in Quality Engineering.
  • Engineering or technical degree preferred, or comparable experience.
  • Experience working in a quality management system certified to AS9100 is required.
  • ASQ-CQE certification preferred.
  • Quality tools knowledge — ISO-9001/AS9100, FMEA, TQM, Control Plans, Process Flow, SPC, etc.
  • Proficient in GD&T and part inspection.
  • Experience testing, evaluating, and inspecting products in a manufacturing environment to ensure accuracy.
  • Demonstrated proficiency with MRP or ERP software, quality management software, and Microsoft Word and Excel.
  • Strong problem-solving skills.
  • Excellent listening, verbal and written communication skills (Technical writing a plus).
  • Excellent decision making and time management.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to work in a team.
  • Ability to multi-task and adapt to shifting priorities.
  • Proficient in the ability to understand and utilize all written materials available in reference to the project at hand.
Essential Functions of the Job:
  • Safely lift and carry heavy objects with the help of another person if necessary.
  • Ability to work well independently and follow strict adherence to deadlines
  • Must be able to remain in a stationary position throughout the day alternating sitting and standing as necessary.
  • Must be able to visually inspect assemblies to ensure accuracy.
  • Perform repetitive movement such as pushing, pulling, bending, some twisting and stooping.
  • Perform fine hand manipulation including handling small and large objects.
  • Ability to communicate clearly and be positive, polite, and cooperative with co-workers, managers, customers and vendors.
  • Date Posted: 2026-08-05
  • Post Expires: 2026-09-05

YOU MUST BE ABLE TO PERFORM THE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB WITH OR WITHOUT REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION.

If you feel you are qualified for this position, please reply with your Employment Application AND resume to nwuavjobs@nwuav.com. No office visits please. Make sure to add the position title in the subject line so that your resume is properly sorted.


Benefits: NWUAV provides top-tier employee compensation benefits to all qualified employees, as well as a relaxed, team-oriented work environment, including: Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO, Sick Leave, Cafeteria Plan and 401K.

Due to Federal ITAR requirements Northwest UAV (NWUAV) is only able to hire U.S. persons within the meaning of ITAR. ITAR defines a U.S. person as a U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (i.e. 'Green Card Holder'), Political Asylum, or Refugee. Northwest UAV is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to status as a protected veteran or a qualified individual with a disability, or other protected status such as race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or age.

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