Quality Engineering Specialist

Job Description

General Dynamics Mission Systems-Canada is looking for an experienced Quality Engineering (QE) Specialist to join our Quality team in Ottawa, Halifax or Calgary. Reporting to the Quality Manager, the QE Specialist plays a key role within integrated project teams, ensuring compliance with internal processes and external standards including AS9100 and DO-178C. This position supports both engineering development and product lifecycle activities, with a strong emphasis on software airworthiness, quality compliance, and audit leadership.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Provide pre-contract quality support, including estimating the effort required to implement Quality Assurance (QA) activities and contributing to proposal documentation.
• Prepare and implement project-specific QA plans and contribute quality-related inputs to broader project documentation.
• Act as the quality lead for assigned projects, ensuring compliance with AS9100, DO-178C, and other relevant contractual or airworthiness standards.
• Interface with the DND TAA (within DTAES), DERs, and customer quality representatives during software airworthiness audits (e.g., SOIs).
• Conduct independent process and product audits, identify non-conformances, issue corrective actions, and track them to closure.
• Serve on Configuration Control Boards (CCB) and Material Review Boards (MRB); support design reviews and configuration audits.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Supplier Quality, and Product Support to ensure quality considerations are embedded across all phases of development, sustainment, and supply chain interactions.
• Monitor formal test activities (e.g., acceptance, qualification) for adherence to approved test plans and procedures; ensure evidence supports certification and compliance.
• Lead and participate in project and quality review meetings, including setting agendas, facilitating discussions, documenting actions, and ensuring follow-up.
• Lead quality-related reviews, investigations, and root cause analyses, and facilitate continuous improvement initiatives.
• Use data and statistical analysis to monitor quality performance, identify trends, and support corrective/preventive action planning.
• Report quality metrics and present findings during quality forums, project gates, and leadership reviews.
• Engage in proactive risk identification, mitigation planning, and knowledge sharing throughout the project lifecycle.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum of 8 years’ experience in engineering or software development, with at least 6 years in a quality assurance role.
• Strong working knowledge of DO-178C, AS9100, and airworthiness certification processes.
• A sound understanding of current engineering development / tools methodologies and standards.
• Proven ability to conduct internal audits, lead investigations, and lead cross-functional teams to resolution.
• Experience supporting software and systems development within a regulated aerospace or defense environment.
• Excellent communication and reporting skills; ability to influence across functions and levels.
• Familiarity with lean principles and continuous improvement methodologies.

Assets

• Membership in a professional quality body (e.g. ASQ).
• Experience interfacing with government/defense QA authorities.
• Knowledge of Systems Engineering and Engineering Development processes.
• Proficiency in DOORs.
• Strong working knowledge of DO-254

It is a requirement that General Dynamics Mission Systems-Canada be registered with the Canadian Controlled Goods program and that all of its workforce be security assessed. Successful applicants must meet all applicable security requirements, including but not limited to the ability to obtain and maintain a Canadian government security clearance. Applicants may be required to meet additional security requirements in order to gain access to technical data, classified areas or information that is subject to international regulations. You must be eligible to work in Canada.