Sr Quality Engineer (Aerospace)
Howmet Aerospace · Torrance, CA
- Level
- Senior
- Team
- Quality
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 6+ years
- Industry
- Aerospace & defense
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A senior quality role at Howmet Aerospace (aerospace & defense) in Torrance, CA.
- They ask for
- 6+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Root cause, Tooling, EHS / safety
- Day to day
- some off-shift / weekend coverage
- Openings
- 2 with this title at this site
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Quality Engineer roles in California: typical posted base $100k–$149k.
Median of the low and high ends of 102 live postings that list pay, out of 202 quality engineer openings in California, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
California plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 201 other live quality postings in California.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- More than usual (6+ vs 5+)
Typical $100k–$149k, from 100 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Root cause 78%
- FMEA 53%
- Supplier quality 46%
- Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 45%
- AS9100 42%
- ISO 9001 36%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for EHS / safety, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Quality team at Howmet Aerospace
We found 4 people at this company and state: 3 in this kind of role, 1 leaders. Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. See them ↓
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
Write to Edith → (free) - 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Which standards drive the work here: ISO 13485, IATF 16949, AS9100?
- How much of the job is customer complaints versus prevention?
- How does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: Howmet Aerospace in Torrance
5 other open roles at this site · 4 people we found in quality roles at Howmet Aerospace.
- Senior Manager, Continuous Improvement, Capital Projects and Infracstructure · Lean / CI · Manager
- 2nd Shift Quality Technician I, (Aerospace Lab) · Quality · Technician
- Continuous Improvement Manager · Lean / CI · Manager
- Manufacturing Engineer (Inserts) · Manufacturing
- Sr Manufacturing Engineer (Panels) · Manufacturing · Senior
Full description from Howmet AerospaceAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
requirements
and customer problems.
Responsibilities
- ◆Review customer complaints, analyze returns and make recommendations for corrective action.
- ◆Review statistical data and represent in a graphical format. Assist plants in implementation of statistical methods and quality improvement programs.
- ◆Assist in conducting annual plant audits and system surveys.
- ◆Update and augment group Quality Assurance procedures and systems.
- ◆Assist application Engineering and Sales in development and application problems.
- ◆Continually drive to improve; testing methods, tooling, and equipment through statistical sampling, that will ensure adequate quality in our manufactured products.
- ◆Work with Engineering to develop simple and efficient methods of testing new product lines.
- ◆Monitor all manufacturing processes through audits and daily evaluations, to ensure that processes are being followed, and short cuts are not being taken, jeopardizing the quality of our product.
- ◆Provide support as being deemed necessary by management to allow the Quality Department to function efficiently.
- ◆Remain flexible with daily activities in order to handle emergency issues as they arrive.
- ◆Travel as necessary to customers and suppliers to control problem areas.
- ◆Perform other duties as may be assigned by the Quality Manger.
- ◆Work in a safe manner that promotes the health and well being of the individual and the environment.
- ◆Comply with EHS rules and regulations and supervisory instructions
- ◆Report all incidents including injuries, spills, fires, property damage, and near misses to their supervisor.
Basic
Qualifications
- ✓Bachelor’s degree in STEM
- ✓Minimum 6 years of professional experience in a production and/or manufacturing environment in a Quality role
- ✓Employee must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
- ✓This position entails access to export-controlled items and employment offers are conditioned upon an applicant’s ability to lawfully obtain access to such items.
Preferred Qualifications
- ✓Bachelor's degree in engineering
- ✓Familiarity with aerospace fasteners
- ✓Proficient knowledge and application of root cause analysis tools for process improvements and corrective action effectiveness.
- ✓Experience implementing core body of knowledge of Quality Engineering principles
- ✓Experience with high volume manufacturing (i.e. machined components, fasteners, etc.)
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Howmet Fastening Systems (HFS) is seeking a Sr Quality Engineer (Aerospace) at our Torrance, CA location. HFS is a business unit of Howmet Aerospace, headquartered in Torrance, California. We hold the number one global position in aerospace fastening systems, and we’re the North American leader in commercial transportation fasteners. Our high-tech, multi-material fastening systems are found nose to tail on aircraft and aerospace engines. Our products are also critical components of industrial gas turbines, automobiles, commercial transportation vehicles, and construction and industrial equipment.
Under the direction of the Quality Manager, the Quality Engineer is responsible for customer-plant liaison, implementation and of improvement statistical methods, quality cost analysis, specification and procedure development, and assisting with plant quality audits. Acts as a liaison between Manufacturing, Quality and Engineering relative to customer specification, customer quality
Benefits/Salary
The position includes competitive wages and a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance (medical, dental, vision), excellent 401k matching program, paid holidays and vacation. Howmet Aerospace curates a strong working environment through opportunities for career progression, community engagement activities, and flexible schedules contingent upon role and location. The salary range for this position is $110kK-130K.
Our Story
Howmet Aerospace Inc. (NYSE: HWM), headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a leading global provider of advanced engineered solutions for the aerospace and transportation industries. Our primary businesses focus on jet engine components, aerospace fastening systems, titanium structural parts and forged wheels. With $8.3 Billion in revenue in 2025, our products play a crucial role in enabling fuel efficiency and lightweighting, contributing to our customers’ success and making a positive impact on the world. To learn more about the way Howmet Aerospace Inc. is advancing the sustainability of our customers, markets, and communities where we operate, review the 2025 Environmental Social and Governance report at www.howmet.com/esg-report . Follow: LinkedIn , Twitter , Instagram , Facebook , and YouTube .