Senior Quality Engineer - Composites Manufacturing

Pivotal is the leader in the emerging market of electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft. We design, develop, and manufacture light eVTOL aircraft and are renowned for the BlackFly, the first light eVTOL to fly manned missions and enter the consumer market.
Efficient, compact, and simple, Pivotal vehicles are designed for a wide range of consumer, public service, and defense applications. Our distinctive tilt-aircraft architecture and scalable platform have been in development, preparing to enter the market for over 10 years. We recently announced our next-generation aircraft, the Helix, planned for general release and scalable production in 2025.
Mobility is one of the most highly-valued areas of technology investment today. This is the right company, in the right space, the right strategy, at the right time. We invite you to join our amazing team and grow with us.
We are seeking a Senior Quality Engineer with a strong background in composites manufacturing and inspection to join our Quality & Manufacturing Engineering team. The ideal candidate is first and foremost a hands-on manufacturing engineer who is passionate about process quality, understands pre-preg composite layup and curing, and can ensure compliance to AS9100D, ISO 9001, and aerospace best practices. This role will drive product quality from prototype through production, ensuring our aircraft meet the highest standards of airworthiness and reliability.

Responsibilities

• Lead quality assurance activities for composite manufacturing processes including pre-preg layup, cure, machining, bonding, and assembly.
• Develop, implement, and maintain inspection criteria for composite parts, assemblies, and tooling.
• Perform detailed inspections of composite components, interpreting engineering drawings, tolerances, and specifications.
• Partner with Manufacturing Engineering to design quality into processes, identifying root causes and implementing corrective/preventive actions (CAPA).
• Manage non-conformance reports (NCRs), Material Review Board (MRB) actions, and support disposition decisions.
• Ensure compliance with AS9100D and ISO 9001 requirements across production operations.
• Develop work instructions, process control plans, and inspection procedures tailored to composite production.
• Support supplier quality engineering for incoming composite materials and outsourced components.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives, statistical process control (SPC), and risk-based quality planning.
• Mentor technicians and operators in inspection techniques and quality best practices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Materials Science, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field.
• 3+ years of hands-on experience in aerospace composites manufacturing and quality engineering.
• Deep knowledge of pre-preg composite layup, autoclave/oven cure cycles, NDI/NDT methods (UT, X-ray, visual), and part acceptance criteria.
• Familiarity with AS9100D, ISO 9001, and aerospace quality systems.
• Skilled at interpreting GD&T, engineering drawings, and material specifications.
• Experience with MRB, NCR, and corrective action processes.
• Strong technical problem-solving ability with a root-cause-driven approach.
• Proficiency with quality tools (e.g., SPC, FMEA, PFMEA, 8D).
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced R&D-to-production transition environment.

Attributes Aligned With Core Values

• Demonstrates a proactive safety mindset by embedding safety into daily operations, identifying and mitigating risks through assessments and training, encouraging open dialogue on safety concerns, and continuously improving protocols to ensure a safe work environment.
• Puts customers at the center of every action by deeply understanding their challenges, delivering exceptional value, and striving to exceed expectations to support their success as our core purpose.
• Actively seeks and values diverse stakeholder perspectives, builds cross-functional relationships, and fosters trust through empathetic, fact-based communication—committing to shared decisions for the greater good.
• Drives results with clarity and purpose by focusing on what matters most, adapting to change, taking initiative, and owning outcomes while aligning actions with a clear understanding of success at every level.
• Navigates ambiguity with resilience and bold thinking, challenges the status quo, and combines innovative ideas with practical best practices to overcome obstacles and drive progress.
• •Fosters a high-performance culture grounded in respect, professionalism, and support—balancing high expectations with a healthy, collaborative environment and being a trusted, dependable teammate.

Applicants must be eligible for employment in the United States and willing to work onsite at our HQ office in Palo Alto, CA.
Pivotal offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, and 401k plans.
Pivotal is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Pivotal does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.