Quality Engineer - Field Services

Saronic Technologies is a leader in revolutionizing autonomy at sea, dedicated to developing state-of-the-art solutions that enhance maritime operations through autonomous and intelligent platforms. JOB OVERVIEW We are seeking a detail-oriented and experienced Services Quality Engineer to join our team. In this role, you will be the primary architect of the quality standards governing our global repair and maintenance operations. You will work closely with our engineering, production, and field service teams to establish repair standards, build our ISO 9001 framework for services, and ensure our maritime platforms meet rigorous regulatory and performance requirements. A strong background in U.S. Navy ship repair and a deep understanding of Navy repair regulations is highly desirable to ensure our platforms remain mission-ready and compliant with defense standards. RESPONSIBILITIES - Quality Assurance: Develop, implement, and maintain quality assurance protocols specifically for maritime repair and service processes. Establish baseline standards to support international scaling of our service organization. - Navy Regulatory Compliance: Ensure all repair activities align with relevant U.S. Navy repair regulations and standards. Act as the internal authority on maintaining compliance within a defense maritime context. - Process Improvement: Identify areas for improvement within the service and depot environments and recommend solutions to enhance repair quality and efficiency. Lead Lean Six Sigma initiatives with a focus on delivering demonstrated, successful project outcomes. - ISO 9001 Leadership: Build the ISO 9001 framework from the ground up for the Services wing, aligning with company-wide quality standards while ensuring all service workflows are auditable and compliant. - Inspection and Auditing: Conduct thorough audits of existing depot locations and field service appointments. Utilize technical expertise to evaluate repair integrity, structural components, and marine electronics. - Documentation and Reporting: Maintain accurate records of quality assessments, service work orders, and inspection reports. Build and manage processes within Salesforce (SFDC) to monitor quality metrics and provide actionable insights. - Compliance and Standards: Ensure compliance with maritime regulatory requirements, specifically navigating the ABS (American Bureau of Shipping) process for boats and integrating these with Navy-specific repair protocols. - Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain teams to resolve quality issues, provide technical support for field repairs, and feed service data back into the product design cycle. - Training and Mentorship: Provide training and guidance to service technicians and depot personnel on quality standards, Navy repair best practices, and the proper use of inspection tools. QUALIFICATIONS - Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Marine Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience) - Minimum of 3–5 years of experience in quality engineering or quality assurance. Experience building a quality program within a manufacturing or services environment is required. - Strong experience with inspection methods, defect identification, and documentation practices - Working knowledge of QMS principles (ISO 9001 or similar) and inspection processes - Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, technical manuals, and repair procedures - Experience in regulated industries (defense, aerospace, manufacturing, etc.) - Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills - Experience in fast-paced, field-deployed or expeditionary environments - Experience supporting DoD programs or working with regulatory bodies (e.g., DCMA, NAVSEA) - Maritime Expertise: Highly Desirable: Direct experience in U.S. Navy ship repair in some capacity (e.g., NAVSEA, Naval Shipyards, or defense contracting) and a strong understandi