Senior Quality Engineer

About Us Foundry Robotics is building an AI-native robotics manufacturing company focused on deploying advanced assembly and production capability for leading robotics companies and national-security-critical hardware. Basically, we're building robots that build robots. We are reimagining manufacturing through advanced robotics. Our mission is to rebuild the American manufacturing industry as an AI-first, assembly-focused, dual-use contract manufacturer. We aim to empower manufacturers with intelligent, efficient, and adaptable robotic systems that redefine productivity and quality. As a founding member of our engineering team, you will have a direct and significant impact on our product, culture, and ultimate success. This role is 100% in-person at our office in Emeryville, CA. The Role This role is for a Senior Quality Engineer who can build a quality function from first principles and run it credibly in front of demanding customers. You will architect our AS9100D-compliant Quality Management System (QMS) from scratch, lead the company through third-party certification, and own the system as our scope expands across new customers and programs. You will be the in-house technical authority on quality. Key Responsibilities - Develop and maintain inspection plans, acceptance criteria, and first article inspections across assembly, test, and calibration operations - Execute nonconformance control day to day: containment, disposition support, and hands-on root cause analysis (5 Whys, fishbone) with the technicians who build the product - Drive corrective actions to closure. Implement the fix, verify effectiveness, document the evidence - Perform and improve receiving, in-process, and final inspection, including GD&T interpretation and measurement method selection - Work supplier quality issues: receiving rejections, supplier corrective actions, and incoming inspection criteria - Support customer source inspections and third-party audits with records and technical answers - Coach inspectors and assembly technicians on inspection technique and quality fundamentals What We're Looking For Founder mentality: We love people who build like it’s their own company. You move fast, take ownership, and find a way through when the path isn’t obvious. You have the drive to make big things happen and the judgment to take smart risks along the way. If you prefer a clearly defined lane, a predictable pace, and all the answers before you start, there’s nothing wrong with that—but Foundry might not be the right fit. - 7+ years of quality engineering experience in a regulated manufacturing environment - Bachelor's degree in engineering, or equivalent demonstrated experience - Working expertise in AS9100D and/or ISO 9001:2015 is a prerequisite. You have built or operated inside the standard and can write procedures that pass external audit - Demonstrated experience leading or materially contributing to a QMS implementation or third-party certification effort - Fluency in structured problem solving, FMEA, control plans, and process capability analysis - Strong GD&T fluency and the ability to read, interpret, and challenge engineering drawings - Equally effective in a procedure review and on the shop floor - Bias toward action, scrappy problem solving, and moving fast without sacrificing rigor Nice to Have (Not Required) - ASQ certification, Six Sigma Green or Black Belt, or ISO 9001 / AS9100 lead auditor certification - Experience with APQP / PPAP and IPC workmanship standards - Experience in robotics, aerospace, defense, or other hardware-rich regulated industry - Experience supporting multiple concurrent programs in a contract manufacturing environment - Experience in an early-stage company where quality systems were built rather than inherited Why Join Us? This is one of the only places where world-class manufacturing operators, mechanical engineers, robotics researchers, and software engineers sit in the same room, building production systems together. We are committed to being deeply embedded in the U.S. industrial base. Our focus is simple: build adaptive robotic assembly systems that make American manufacturing scalable, resilient, and competitive again. The base salary range for this full-time position in the location of Emeryville is: $150,000 to $250,000 USD Compensation packages at Foundry Robotics for eligible roles include base salary, equity, and benefits. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position, determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, interview performance, and relevant education or training. Foundry Robotics employees in eligible roles are also granted equity based compensation, subject to Board of Director approval. You'll also receive benefits including, but not limited to: Comprehensive health, dental and vision coverage, and generous PTO. Foundry Robotics is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.