Quality Assurance Technician

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc., is a leading defense technology company focused on uncrewed systems, satellite communications, cyber security/warfare, microwave electronics, missile defense, training, and combat systems. Our customers include the U.S. federal government, foreign governments, commercial enterprises, and state and local government agencies. At Kratos, we prioritize affordability as a cornerstone of our technology. We leverage proven, cutting-edge methodologies and technology to minimize costs, streamline schedules, and mitigate risks, ensuring timely delivery of cost-effective solutions to market.

GENERAL JOB SUMMARY:

The Quality Assurance Technician is responsible for supporting day-to-day Quality Management System (QMS) compliance and verifying that manufacturing and quality processes are consistently executed in accordance with approved procedures, work instructions, travelers, engineering requirements, customer requirements, and applicable quality standards.

This role has a strong shop-floor presence and focuses on process confirmation, layered process audits, periodic job observations, Gemba verification, employee job certification, on-the-job training effectiveness, documentation compliance, and production record accuracy.

Reporting to the Quality Manager, the Quality Assurance Technician works closely with Quality, Manufacturing, Engineering, and Operations to identify process gaps, reinforce standard work, verify employee competency, and promote a culture of quality at the source.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Process Confirmation & Compliance

• Perform routine process confirmation activities to verify work is being performed in accordance with approved drawings, travelers, work instructions, procedures, specifications, and quality requirements.
• Conduct periodic job observations to confirm employee adherence to established standard work and process requirements.
• Perform Layered Process Audits (LPAs) and document findings, actions, and follow-up.
• Conduct regular Gemba observations throughout manufacturing and assembly areas.
• Verify required inspection, test, documentation, traceability, and process-control steps are being completed.
• Identify deviations from approved processes and escalate issues to Quality and Operations leadership.
• Follow up on identified process gaps to verify corrective actions have been implemented and remain effective.

Job Certification & Training

• Administer and maintain employee job-certification programs for manufacturing, assembly, inspection, test, and other controlled operations.
• Coordinate initial certification, periodic recertification, and qualification requirements.
• Support and verify On-the-Job Training (OJT) activities.
• Confirm employees demonstrate required knowledge and practical competency before independent performance of certified operations.
• Maintain employee training, qualification, and certification records.
• Monitor certification expiration dates and support timely recertification.
• Work with Quality, Manufacturing, and Engineering personnel to develop practical qualification criteria and competency checklists.
• Identify recurring training or competency gaps and communicate improvement opportunities to leadership.

Quality System & Audit Support

• Support internal audits, customer audits, regulatory audits, and AS9100 Quality Management System activities.
• Conduct scheduled process and compliance audits within assigned operational areas.
• Maintain objective evidence demonstrating compliance with QMS requirements.
• Assist with corrective-action follow-up resulting from audits, process observations, and identified compliance gaps.
• Support continuous audit readiness by ensuring required records and documentation are complete, accurate, controlled, and retrievable.
• Reinforce requirements related to configuration control, traceability, calibration, FOD, documentation, inspection status, product identification, and record retention.

Production & Quality Documentation

• Review manufacturing travelers, inspection records, test records, training records, and other production documentation for completeness and accuracy.
• Verify required signoffs, inspection points, certifications, and approvals are completed before product progresses to subsequent operations.
• Support maintenance and control of organizational quality records and electronic quality-system data.
• Identify incomplete, inaccurate, or missing production records and coordinate correction with responsible personnel.
• Support electronic QMS systems, including TIPQA or equivalent platforms.

Nonconformance & Quality Support

• Support identification, documentation, containment, and investigation of nonconforming products or processes.
• Assist Quality Engineering with collection of data and objective evidence required for root cause and corrective-action investigations.
• Identify recurring process deviations, documentation issues, or workmanship concerns and escalate trends.
• Support implementation and verification of corrective actions.
• Assist with incoming, in-process, and final inspection activities as production demands require.
• Support First Article Inspection (FAI), inspection, testing, and product verification activities as assigned.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve standard work, process controls, training effectiveness, documentation, and operational discipline.
• Participate in continuous improvement activities focused on reducing defects, rework, process variation, and operational delays.
• Promote quality at the source and reinforce employee ownership of product and process quality.
• Provide feedback to Quality and Operations leadership regarding recurring process, training, documentation, or compliance risks.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

• No direct supervisory responsibility.
• Provides process, compliance, training, and certification guidance to employees as authorized by the Quality Manager.

Keyword: Quality Assurance, QMS, process audits, Gemba, job certification, OJT, documentation accuracy, AS9100, ISO 9001, TIPQA, nonconformance, corrective action, FAI, root cause, continuous improvement
Required Experience:

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Working knowledge of manufacturing and quality assurance practices.
• Working knowledge of ISO 9001 and/or AS9100 Quality Management Systems.
• Ability to read and follow engineering drawings, work instructions, travelers, specifications, and procedures.
• Understanding of process audits, Layered Process Audits, standard work, and process confirmation principles.
• Ability to observe manufacturing activities objectively and identify deviations from documented requirements.
• Strong attention to documentation accuracy, traceability, and record control.
• Ability to train, coach, and evaluate employee competency in a constructive and professional manner.
• Strong organizational and follow-up skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with production employees, supervisors, engineers, inspectors, and management.
• Ability to work independently and maintain multiple certification, audit, and compliance activities simultaneously.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and electronic QMS/ERP systems.
• TIPQA experience preferred.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, 5S/6S, Gemba, and continuous-improvement principles preferred.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Associate degree, technical certification, or vocational training preferred.
• 2+ years of experience in quality, manufacturing, inspection, aerospace, defense, automotive, or another regulated manufacturing environment preferred.
• Previous experience supporting quality audits, process compliance, employee training, or job-certification programs preferred.
• Experience working within an ISO 9001, AS9100, or similar regulated Quality Management System preferred.
• ASQ Certified Quality Technician (CQT), Certified Quality Inspector (CQI), or similar certification is a plus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT / PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Combination of manufacturing, inspection, test, and office environments.
• Frequent presence on the manufacturing floor is required.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods while conducting process observations and audits.
• Ability to safely work around manufacturing equipment and test operations.
• Ability to lift parts, materials, or documentation up to 50 pounds as required.
• Must comply with applicable PPE, FOD, ESD, safety, and controlled area requirements.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

• Limited travel, generally 0-10%, as required to support training, audits, suppliers, customers, or other Kratos locations.

THE ABOVE STATEMENTS ARE INTENDED TO DESCRIBE THE GENERAL NATURE AND LEVEL OF WORK BEING PERFORMED BY INDIVIDUALSASSIGNED TO THIS CLASSIFICATION. THEY ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE CONSTRUED AS AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST OF ALL RESPONSIBILITIES, DUTIES AND SKILLS REQUIRED OF PERSONNEL SO CLASSIFIED.

A REVIEW OF THIS CLASSIFICATION HAS EXCLUDED THE MARGINAL FUNCTIONS OF THE CLASSIFICATION THAT AREINCIDENTAL TO THE PERFORMANCE OF FUNDAMENTAL JOB JUTIES. ALL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES ARE ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND REQUIREMENTS AND ARE SUBJECT TO POSSIBLE MODIFICATION TO REASONABLY ACCOMMODATE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES TO PERFORM THIS JOB PROFICIENTLY. THE REQUIREMENTS LISTED IN THIS DOCUMENT ARE THE MINIMUM LEVELS OF KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS OR ABILITIES.

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From: Kratos Defense