Quality Engineer, Hardware

WHAT WE DO Gecko Robotics is helping the world’s most important organizations ensure the availability, reliability, and sustainability of critical infrastructure. Gecko's complete and connected solutions combine wall-climbing robots, industry-leading sensors, and an AI-powered data platform to provide customers with a unique window into the current and future health of their physical assets. This enables real-time decision making to increase the efficiency and safety of operations, promote mission readiness, and protect the environment and civilization from the effects of infrastructure failure. ROLE AT A GLANCE We are hiring a Quality Engineer to build, formalize, and support the quality systems that underpin our product development and robot operations. This role spans the full quality lifecycle — from establishing robust processes and inspection disciplines to driving supplier accountability, internal audit rigor, and systematic corrective action. You will work cross-functionally with engineering, operations, and supply chain teams to ensure that our inspection services are implemented effectively and efficiently — and that when problems arise, they are resolved at their root cause and don't recur. This is a hands-on role suited for a quality professional who is comfortable in both the details of technical standards and the dynamics of cross-functional collaboration. You'll have direct visibility into how your work shapes product reliability, supplier performance, and operational efficiency. This role includes up to 25% travel to other Gecko Robotics locations (Houston, United Arab Emirates, etc), supplier sites, and field environments. Must be able to obtain a US Government security clearance. This role supports U.S. Navy manufacturing programs. Its essential functions require regular access to export-controlled technical data, U.S. Government information systems, and customer facilities subject to U.S.-person access requirements. To satisfy the U.S. Government contractual and customer-access requirements applicable to this role, the selected candidate must qualify as a “U.S. person," that is, a U.S. citizen or national, lawful permanent resident, or other protected individual, including a refugee or asylee, as defined by 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3). This requirement applies only to roles with these access needs and is not a general condition of employment at Gecko Robotics or its affiliates.   WHAT YOU WILL DO PROCESS DEVELOPMENT & IMPLEMENTATION - Develop, document, and maintain quality processes across Gecko Robotics’s locations, including calibration and nonconforming product programs, engineering drawing release workflows, supplier performance, and configuration management procedures - Ensure quality systems are compliant with applicable standards and effectively implemented across programs and locations - Partner with engineering teams to integrate quality requirements early in the product development lifecycle - Continuously improve quality procedures based on data, audit findings, and lessons learned - Support the establishment and refinement of systems and tools to improve process efficiencies and cross-department collaboration, including PDM/PLM, ERP and CRM solutions INSPECTION PLANNING & PERFORMANCE MONITORING - Develop inspection plans and acceptance criteria for incoming, in-process, and final inspections for robotic components, parts and assemblies - Own the performance of inspection activities — tracking metrics, identifying gaps, and implementing improvements - Collaborate with manufacturing and engineering to ensure inspection methods are practical, repeatable, and risk-appropriate - Maintain calibration records and monitor system integrity for inspection equipment - Support the performance of internal audits across multiple locations SUPPLIER QUALIFICATION & PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT - Lead supplier qualification activities including documentation review, First Article Inspections (FAI) and reporting requirements - Monitor and manage supplier quality performance using scorecards, metrics, and structured feedback mechanisms - Drive supplier corrective actions for non-conformances, ensuring timely resolution and sustained improvement - Build and maintain productive working relationships with key suppliers to proactively address quality risks FAILURE ANALYSIS & ROOT CAUSE LEADERSHIP - Lead structured failure analysis and root cause investigations - Collaborate with inter-departmental teams to identify and implement effective corrective actions - Communicate findings clearly to stakeholders at all levels, including technical and executive audiences CORRECTIVE ACTION SYSTEM - Own and administer the corrective action system, ensuring timely initiation, assignment and closure - Track and report on corrective action metrics, escalating overdue or at-risk items as appropriate - Verify effectiveness of corrective actions through follow-up audits and data analysis - Drive a culture of accountability and continuous improvement around non-conformance resolution TECHNOLOGIES WE USE - Onshape, Solidworks, Altium, Arena PDM/PLM solutions - NetSuite and Salesforce ERP/CRM supporting supply chain and operations - Atlassian Jira supporting critical process and feedback initiatives ABOUT YOU REQUIRED SKILLS - Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering, or related field (or equivalent practical experience) - 5+ years of experience in in quality engineering within a hardware, manufacturing, or electromechanical product environment - Hands-on experience across quality management systems and processes, including calibration systems, engineering drawing control, and configuration management - Demonstrated proficiency in inspection planning, GD&T interpretation, and measurement system analysis - Experience managing supplier quality, including audits, FAI, and supplier corrective action processes - Familiarity with internal audit methodologies and quality management systems (ISO 9001, AS9100, NADCAP or equivalent) - Strong root cause analysis skills with experience applying structured problem-solving frameworks - Strong written and verbal English communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across teams with varied technical backgrounds - Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance; active clearance preferred but not required - Willingness to travel (up to 25%) to support field testing and customer deployments PREFERRED SKILLS - CQE (Certified Quality Engineer) or CQA (Certified Quality Auditor) certification - Experience in a startup or high-growth environment where processes are being built from the ground up - Exposure to robotics, automation, or advanced manufacturing technologies - Experience with DOD contractual requirements, including FARs/DFARs - Experience with Nondestructive Testing (NDT) standards and techniques - Experience working with robotics, sensor data, or autonomous systems WHO WE ARE At Gecko, our people are our greatest investment. In addition to competitive compensation packages, we offer company equity, 401(k) matching, gender-neutral parental leave, full medical, dental, and vision insurance, mental health, ongoing professional development, family planning assistance, and flexible paid time off.  Gecko values collaboration, innovation, and partnership, and we believe we do our best work when we're together in person. We’re an office-first culture but understand that sometimes you may need to work from home. Many people are in the office five days a week, others need a bit more flexibility. Ultimately, we care about the outcomes we achieve - and creating a culture of autonomy and trust that enables that impact. Gecko is committed to creating a culture of inclusion and belonging, and we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.  We believe it is our collective responsibility to uphold these values and encourage candidates from all backgrounds to join us in our mission to protect today’s infrastructure and give form to tomorrow’s. All qualified applicants will be treated with respect and receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, uniform service, veteran status, age, or any other protected characteristic per federal, state, or local law. If you are passionate about what you do and want to use your talents to support our critical mission, we’d love to hear from you.