Quality Assurance Specialist

Quality Assurance Specialist
Location: 203A Log Canoe Circle, Stevensville, MD 21666-2128
Work Hours: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday
Salary Range: $60k-$80k per year 

Hydrasearch is looking for a detail-oriented and autonomous Quality Assurance Specialist to champion our Quality Management System (QMS) and provide critical compliance support to our facility in Stevensville, MD! The ideal candidate will play a vital role in maintaining our quality standards, moving fluidly between the production floor and the office to monitor performance and lead audits. You will collaborate closely with engineering and production teams to drive continuous improvement and ensure a culture of excellence.

About Us: Hydrasearch is a U.S. manufacturer specializing in fluid-transfer and control systems for maritime, aerospace, and defense applications. Since it's founding in 1962, Hydrasearch has developed capabilities in hose assemblies, valve fittings, and customer machined parts, often to meet MIL-SPEC and naval standards. 

At Hydrasearch, we value the contributions of our Military Veterans and proudly employ our nation’s heroes. Veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. 

What You'll Do:

Quality Management System (QMS)

• Independently execute assigned QMS activities in accordance with AS9100 and internal quality standards.
• Support implementation and sustained use of approved quality procedures and processes.
• Identify systemic gaps, trends, and risks and support corrective and preventive action activities.

Certifications and Standards

• Support AS9100 certification and surveillance activities, including audit preparation, coordination, and evidence collection.
• Track audit findings and corrective actions to closure and support effectiveness verification.
• Support customer and regulatory audits as required.

Internal Process Audits

• Conduct internal audits independently in accordance with approved audit plans and procedures.
• Document audit results, observations, and nonconformities clearly and objectively.
• Support corrective action follow-up and verification activities.

Compliance Support

• Support compliance with applicable regulatory and contractual requirements, including ITAR and customer quality clauses.
• Assist with compliance training deployment, documentation, and recordkeeping.
• Monitor adherence to established compliance processes and identify improvement opportunities.

Continuous Improvement

• Support continuous improvement initiatives by analyzing KPI trends and corrective action data.
• Assist with identifying training needs related to quality systems and process consistency.
• Contribute to development of practical, data-driven improvements to quality system effectiveness.

Document Control (QMS)

• Support document control activities, including document routing, revision tracking, and archival.
• Verify controlled documents are current and accessible at points of use.
• Coordinate document updates in accordance with established procedures.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Business, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 3–6 years of experience working within an AS9100 or ISO 9001 quality management system.
• Demonstrated experience conducting internal audits and supporting corrective action processes.
• Working knowledge of regulatory and contractual compliance requirements in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently within defined processes and collaborate across functions.

Preferred Qualifications:

• AS9100 or ISO internal auditor certification or formal audit training.
• Experience supporting third-party or customer audits.
• Experience developing or reporting quality KPIs.
• Aerospace, defense, or other regulated manufacturing experience.

What We Offer:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your family
• Competitive salary
• Bonus programs
• 401K retirement plan
• Training opportunities
• Tuition reimbursement
• Paid vacation, PTO, and holidays
• Gym reimbursements, and more!

Join us and be a part of a team that values your contributions and supports your goals!

The Dixon Group is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices and laws. According