Quality Engineer
Howmet Aerospace · Rancho Cucamonga, CA
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Quality
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 3+ years
- Industry
- Aerospace & defense
- Posted
- 6 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level quality role at Howmet Aerospace (aerospace & defense) in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. Process, investigate cause of RMA's (customer returns) and quality escapes.
- They ask for
- 3+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Lean, Control plans, AS9100, Internal audits
- Day to day
- some off-shift / weekend coverage
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
- Less than usual (3+ 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.
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 Rancho Cucamonga
3 other open roles at this site · 4 people we found in quality roles at Howmet Aerospace.
- Manager, Continuous Improvement · Lean / CI · Manager
- Project/Process Engineer · Process
- Maintenance Supervisor-2nd shift · Reliability · Supervisor
Quality Engineer at Howmet Aerospace in other locations
Howmet Aerospace lists this title in 5 places. Pick the plant you can get to.
Full description from Howmet AerospaceAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Responsibilities
This is not intended as a comprehensive list; it is intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed, and may be required to perform additional, position-specific tasks.
- ◆Conduct internal and external quality audits including suppliers and other Howmet sites.
- ◆Participate and prepare for Customer and 3 rd Party audits.
- ◆Apply Lean Manufacturing principles to drive improvement in site metrics.
- ◆Process, investigate cause of RMA's (customer returns) and quality escapes;
- ◆Interface, investigate and complete both internal and external corrective actions;
- ◆Ensure compliance to Howmet and customer quality system requirements;
- ◆Review customer and industry standard specifications, develop gap analysis and assist in implementing changes;
- ◆Perform quality review and disposition of non-conforming material and generate corresponding reports
- ◆Must be able to read blueprints and generate sketches of dimensional non-conforming material
- ◆May require occasional travel
- ◆Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- ✓Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from an accredited institution .
- ✓Minimum 3 years of experience in a manufacturing environment.
- ✓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.
- ✓Employees 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.
Preferred qualifications
- ✓Must meet the
requirements
pertaining to Vision Acuity Testing under the Quality Assurance Manual. ASQ Certified Internal Auditor preferred but not required.
- ✓Have working knowledge of Control Plans, Measurement System Analysis, Process Flow Map, Process Failure Modes and Effects Matrix,
- ✓Working knowledge of ISO9000 and AS9100 quality standards and material specifications;
- ✓Previous Auditor Experience Preferred.
- ✓Experience in the forging industry is a plus.
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Summary
Under the guidance of the Quality Manager, provides support to the Quality review and analysis. Responsible for ensuring compliance to customer and Company quality system specifications and requirements.
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 .
If you need assistance to complete your application due to a disability, please email: TalentAcquisitionCoE_Howmet@howmet.com