Job Title: Quality Engineer
Department: Thermal Division, Oakville ON
Reports To: Director of Engineering, Quality and Pyrometry
Salary: $80-$85k per Year
Company Profile:
For over half a century VAC AERO has been providing the very best in metallurgical services and solutions to clients around the world. In support, Vac Aero also specializes in the manufacture of industrial vacuum heat treat machinery/equipment. As a global leader and to meet international demand, VAC AERO supplies many industries including the aerospace, medical, industrial, nuclear, among many others.
Position Summary:
Reporting to the Director of Engineering, Quality, and Pyrometry or designate, and supporting the Quality Manager. The Quality Engineer is responsible for ensuring product quality, process compliance, and continuous improvement throughout all manufacturing, heat treatment, metallurgical, and capital project activities. This role combines quality assurance, metallurgical engineering, project management, and process improvement expertise to maintain compliance with AS9100, ISO 9001, NADCAP, customer specifications, and regulatory requirements.
The Quality Engineer works closely with Quality, Engineering, Operations, Maintenance, Suppliers, and Customers to drive operational excellence, support manufacturing processes, resolve quality issues, and ensure customer satisfaction through the effective implementation of quality systems and engineering best practices.
Key Responsibilities
Quality Management System (QMS) & Compliance
- Support the development, implementation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of the Quality Management System (QMS) in accordance with AS9100, AS13100, ISO 9001, NADCAP, customer, and regulatory requirements.
- Develop and maintain quality procedures, work instructions, inspection criteria, and process specifications.
- Ensure compliance of products, processes, and services with customer specifications, engineering requirements, and applicable industry standards.
- Participate in internal, external, customer, and certification audits and support the maintenance of AS9100, AS13100, ISO 9001, and NADCAP certifications.
- Monitor quality performance metrics and maintain quality records, KPI data, corrective actions, and audit documentation.
- Review and support the disposition of NCRs, MRBs, corrective actions, and heat treatment procedures.
Engineering & Project Management
- Plan, coordinate, and manage metallurgical engineering, quality improvement, customer, and capital projects from initiation through completion.
- Ensure projects are completed on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with quality, safety, and performance objectives.
- Apply metallurgical engineering principles to support technical decision-making, material evaluations, failure investigations, and process development.
- Prepare and maintain project plans, technical reports, process documentation, schedules, specifications, and progress updates.
- Support new product introduction and customer qualification projects.
Process Improvement & Root Cause Analysis
- Lead and participate in continuous improvement initiatives focused on product quality, process capability, efficiency, and cost reduction.
- Analyze production and quality data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
- Conduct root cause investigations using structured problem-solving methodologies and implement effective corrective and preventive actions.
- Develop and optimize heat treatment processes, equipment parameters, and metallurgical procedures to improve consistency and performance.
- Support process validation, risk assessments, and process control activities.
Quality Assurance & Production Support
- Develop, implement, and maintain quality control methods to ensure consistent production of high-quality heat-treated and metallurgical products.
- Support production teams through troubleshooting, process verification, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Attend production meetings to address quality concerns, scheduling issues, and process performance.
- Ensure appropriate inspection and testing activities are performed and documented.
- Verify compliance with customer, engineering, and regulatory requirements throughout manufacturing operations.
Customer & Supplier Quality
- Review customer specifications, drawings, and technical requirements to ensure compliance and manufacturability.
- Support quotation reviews and provide technical input related to quality and process requirements.
- Investigate customer complaints and quality concerns and coordinate corrective action activities.
- Collaborate with suppliers and vendors to ensure purchased materials, equipment, tooling, and services meet quality requirements.
- Participate in supplier evaluations, audits, and supplier corrective action activities.
- Maintain strong relationships with customers and suppliers through effective communication and technical support.
Design & Technical Support
- Design heat treatment fixtures, quench fixtures, straightening fixtures, and tooling using Autodesk Inventor and AutoCAD.
- Support manufacturing, validation, and implementation of tooling and process improvements.
- Assist Maintenance, Operations, and Engineering teams with technical problem-solving and equipment-related projects.
- Support purchasing activities related to quality, engineering, and operational requirements.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with Quality, Engineering, Operations, Maintenance, Accounting, and Health & Safety teams to ensure effective communication and project execution.
- Provide technical guidance and quality support to cross-functional teams.
- Promote a culture of quality, accountability, continuous improvement, and customer focus throughout the organization.
- Support employee training and awareness related to quality systems, process control, and regulatory compliance.
Safety & Environmental Compliance
- Ensure all engineering and quality activities comply with occupational health and safety regulations, environmental requirements, and company policies.
- Participate in risk assessments, safety audits, and Joint Health & Safety Committee (JHSC) initiatives.
- Identify and mitigate potential hazards associated with manufacturing and engineering activities.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree (B.Eng., B.Sc.) or DEC in Mechanical, Materials, Metallurgical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
- Minimum 5–7 years of experience in quality engineering, metallurgical engineering, manufacturing engineering, or quality assurance.
- Experience working within AS9100, AS13100, ISO 9001, and NADCAP environments.
- Strong understanding of heat treatment processes, metallurgy, manufacturing operations, and quality management systems.
- Experience with root cause analysis, corrective actions, process validation, and continuous improvement methodologies.
- Proficiency with Autodesk Inventor, AutoCAD, Microsoft Office, and quality management tools.
- Aerospace industry experience is considered a strong asset.
- Experience with PPAP and APQP
- Mandatory Police Background Check performed for Controlled Goods before hire.
- Canadian citizenship or Permanent Resident status preferred for Controlled Goods.
- Clean Canadian criminal background check preferred.
Performance will be based upon:
- Timely and satisfactory performance of all tasks outlined above as observed by the Leadership of the Thermal Division.
- Value added initiative and innovation demonstrated in performing appointed tasks.
- Ongoing leadership and contributing to the development of others.
We Will Give You:
- Career progression opportunities.
- Competitive Benefits package including Dental and Medical coverage etc.
Benefits:
- Dental care
- Vision care
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- RRSP match
- Corporate Presto Card Program
Job Type:
Work Schedule:
- Monday to Friday (8:00am – 4:30pm), subject to change at manager’s discretion.
DO YOU NEED ACCOMODATION:
Applicants should email [email protected] if they have any questions about the interview process, including accommodation requests during the recruitment process.
Thank you For Applying to Vac Aero:
Please note that only those who are selected to move forward to the next step in the hiring process will be contacted, we encourage you to apply to other job opportunities.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: $80,000.00-$85,000.00 per year
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Oakville, ON: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)
Application question(s):
- Do you have experience working within AS9100, AS13100, ISO 9001 and NADCAP environments?
- Do you have experience with PPAP and APQP?
- Do you have experience with root cause analysis, corrective actions, process validation and continuous improvement methodologies?
- Will you be able to get Controlled Goods Clearance and are you authorized to work in Canada?
Experience:
- Quality Engineering : 5 years (preferred)
Work Location: In person
