Process And Quality Auditor

Job Requirements

• Conduct risk‑based audits to assess compliance with the engineering value stream and defined processes, not technical product quality.
• Verify adherence to procedures covering requirements management, design reviews, configuration control, change management, and V&V.
• Produce clear audit findings and reports, manage nonconformities, and verify effectiveness of corrective actions.
• Partner with Process Owners and Engineering Leadership to drive continuous improvement and strengthen governance.
• Provide coaching and guidance to teams on process expectations and “what good looks like.”
• Track trends, systemic issues, and process performance indicators to support leadership reviews and audit readiness.
  
  

• Audit Planning & Governance
• Develop an annual risk-based audit plan covering the engineering value stream/s (requirements, design, verification & validation, configuration management, change control, release, and lessons learned).
• Align audit scope with business priorities, regulatory exposure, recent non-compliance and opportunities for improvement (process-related).
• Maintain the audit schedule, scope documents, opening/closing meeting packs, and secure evidence management.
• Process & Value Stream Audits
• Conduct end-to-end process conformance audits against internal procedures, standards, and gated lifecycle criteria.
• Sample work product evidence (e.g., requirements traceability, design review records, configuration baselines, test reports, change records, waivers/concessions) to verify:
• Proper requirements management and traceability (e.g., DOORS/Jama or equivalent usage).
• Design review discipline and action closure across milestones.
• Configuration management integrity and version control.
• Change control compliance (impact assessments, approvals, effectivity).
• Verification & validation planning and execution aligned to plans and acceptance criteria.
• Supplier process interfaces where engineering owns/approves inputs/outputs.
• APQP/PPAP-related process deliverables (where applicable to aerospace via AS9145) and production readiness from a process standpoint.
• Observe team ceremonies and value stream flow (lead time, handoffs, queues) to identify waste, delays, and control gaps.
• Reporting
• Issue clear, evidence-based nonconformity (NC) reports with severity grading, containment expectations, and due dates.
• Facilitate root cause analysis (e.g., 5-Why, Ishikawa) and verify robustness of corrective actions using effectiveness checks and data.
• Present audit outcomes to Engineering Leadership, Program Management, and Quality/Compliance.
• Continuous Improvement & Coaching
• Provide process coaching to teams on “What good looks like” for compliance (not design content).
• Partner with Process Owners to update procedures, checklists, and templates based on audit insights.
• Track systemic themes, drive preventive actions, and contribute to maturity assessments and capability roadmaps.
• Stakeholder & Interface Management
• Engage with Program Managers, Chief/Lead Engineers, Configuration Managers, Systems/Verification Leads, Supply Chain Quality, and Design Assurance.
• Coordinate with Regulatory/Cert teams to ensure internal process evidence remains audit-ready for authorities and customers.
  

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related discipline (or equivalent experience).
• 3–7+ years in aerospace or complex engineered products, with strong exposure to engineering process, governance, and lifecycle management.
• Hands-on experience auditing or implementing processes aligned to AS9100 / ISO 9001 and AS9145 (APQP/PPAP in aerospace).
• Practical knowledge of design engineering value streams: requirements → design → V&V → release, configuration & change control, and document control.
• Proficient with common engineering tools (e.g., DOORS/Jama, Teamcenter/Windchill, JIRA/Azure DevOps, PLM/PDM, test management).
• Strong communicator able to challenge constructively and influence senior engineering stakeholders.
  
  

• Lead Auditor or Internal Auditor certification (AS9100/ISO 9001).
• Training in Root Cause Analysis, FMEA, APQP/PPAP, or Lean/Six Sigma (Green Belt+).
• Exposure to EASA/FAA regulatory frameworks (awareness-level; not design certification).
  
  

• Approved Annual Audit Plan and risk-based coverage map.
• Audit reports with clear findings, grading, and risk context.
• Nonconformance & CAPA logs with verified effectiveness checks.
• Quarterly trend analysis (systemic issues, recurring causes, process hot spots).
• Management review inputs and recommendations for process updates.
  
  

• On-time completion of planned audits (≥95%).
• Corrective action closure on time (≥90%) and sustained effectiveness (e.g., ≤10% repeat NCs over 2–3 cycles).
• Reduction in process-related escapes or late rework (trend).
• Cycle-time/lead-time improvements at key handoffs (where measured).
• Positive stakeholder feedback (post-audit surveys ≥4/5).
• Audit readiness of programs (e.g., zero major NCs in customer/regulatory audits attributable to internal process gaps).
  
  

• Process thinking & systems view; value stream mapping familiarity.
• Analytical rigor; samples evidence effectively and avoids bias.
• Facilitation & coaching; explains compliance in practical terms.
• Conflict resolution; balances empathy with firmness on standards.
• Data literacy; uses metrics to prioritize and validate improvements.