Entry Level Automation Engineer Jobs in Orange, CA

Overview
Who We Are:
Ever wonder who brings the entertainment to your flights? Panasonic Avionics Corporation is #1 in the industry for delivering inflight products such as movies, games, Wi-Fi, and now Bluetooth headphone connectivity!
How exciting would it be to be a part of the innovation that goes into creating technology that delights millions of people in an industry that's here to stay! With our company's history spanning over 40 years, you will have stability, career growth opportunities, and will work with the brightest minds in the industry. If you want to learn more about us, visit us at www.panasonic.aero. And for a full listing of open job opportunities go to https://careers.na.panasonic.com/avionics/jobs.
Responsibilities
The Position:
The Software Quality Assurance Engineer I is an entry-level individual contributor within the Software Quality Assurance organization. The role is primarily focused on supporting software quality assurance activities across the development lifecycle, including quality reviews, evidence preparation, traceability checks, audit readiness support, corrective and preventive action tracking, and quality metrics reporting.
While primarily focused on Software Quality Assurance activities, this role also supports AI-enabled and automation initiatives that enhance quality, compliance, process efficiency, and data-driven decision-making. This may include assisting with automation opportunities, data analysis, metrics generation, trend identification, and AI-enabled review or audit-support activities under the guidance of the Software Quality Assurance Manager and senior team members.
This position works closely with the Software Quality Assurance Manager, senior SQA team members, Software Engineering, Systems Engineering, Project Management, Global Quality stakeholders, and automation partners to help ensure consistent application of documented quality processes while contributing to practical continuous improvement and operational execution.
Software Quality Assurance & Operational Support

• Support quality activities throughout the software development lifecycle in collaboration with cross-functional teams.
• Assist in ensuring compliance with industry standards (AS9100 and DO-178), product, OEM, process, regulatory, and customer requirements.
• Maintain accurate and auditable quality records, ensuring objective evidence is complete, timely, and inspection-ready.
• Support traceability reviews, evidence preparation, quality reviews, audit readiness activities, and selected SQA assessments under guidance from senior team members.
• Assist with defining, updating, collecting, and reporting KPI data and trends in partnership with KPI owners.
• Support KPI monitoring and contribute to get-to-green plans, improvement initiatives, and action tracking as needed.
• Participate in Root Cause and Corrective Action (RCCA) activities, including root cause analysis, corrective/preventive action documentation, effectiveness tracking, and lessons learned sharing.
• Assist in developing or updating procedures, work instructions, checklists, quality planning documentation, and other process assets.
• Collaborate with offshore, cross-functional, and Global Quality partners to address quality-related issues and support standardization of SQA practices across programs.
• Support investigations, initiatives, audits, and cross-functional projects as needed at the team or organizational level.

AI / Automation

• Assist with identifying and documenting opportunities to use automation, AI-enabled analysis, or data analytics to improve SQA workflows, quality reporting, audit readiness, and compliance activities.
• Support development, maintenance, or validation of simple automation solutions, dashboards, scripts, or AI-enabled tools that improve efficiency, consistency, and scalability of quality activities.
• Collaborate with Software Engineering, SQA team members, and other stakeholders to help integrate automation capabilities into existing enterprise tools and workflows while preserving appropriate human oversight and accountability.

The salary range of $69,000 - $115,000 is just one component of Panasonic's total package. The final offer amount may vary based on factors including but not limited to individual's knowledge, skills, experience, and location. In addition, this role may be eligible for discretionary bonuses and incentives.
Qualifications
What we're looking for:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality, Computer Science, Information Systems, Data Science, or a related technical field required.
• Entry-level or early-career experience (typically 0-2 years) in Software Quality Assurance, Quality Engineering, Software Engineering, testing, audit support, data analysis, scripting, automation, or process improvement.
• Coursework, internship, project, or early-career exposure to software development lifecycles, testing, requirements, quality systems, audit readiness, regulated technical environments, data analytics, automation, or introductory AI concepts preferred.
• Familiarity with Agile / SAFe practices, quality standards, root cause/corrective action concepts, software release processes, or enterprise work management systems is preferred.
• Foundational understanding of quality assurance, software development lifecycles, engineering, or process improvement principles.
• Basic knowledge of problem-solving and root cause analysis methods.
• Ability to learn and apply quality standards, internal procedures, and customer or regulatory requirements.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional and global teams.
• Ability to analyze data, records, and technical artifacts to identify trends, gaps, risks, or improvement opportunities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools (such as Excel, Word, and PowerPoint); experience with data reporting or visualization tools is a plus.
• Exposure to programming, scripting, automation tooling, data analysis, or introductory AI / machine-learning concepts is a plus.
• Demonstrated curiosity, problem-solving mindset, and interest in using automation and AI to improve quality and compliance processes.
• Self-motivated and adaptable, with the ability to manage multiple assignments and adjust to changing priorities across different quality initiatives.

Our Principles:
Contribution to Society | Fairness & Honesty | Cooperation & Team Spirit | Untiring Effort for Improvement | Courtesy & Humility | Adaptability | Gratitude
What We Offer:

• At Panasonic Avionics Corporation we realize the most important aspects in leading our industry are the bright minds behind everything we do. We are proud to offer our employees a highly competitive, comprehensive and flexible benefits program.
• Paid time off: Exempt Salaried employees receive flexible paid time off. This means that there is no fixed number, range, or limit to the amount of Personal and Vacation Days that may be taken for exempt employees. Non-exempt hourly employees accrue 14 vacation days per year + 7 sick days + 3 personal days. Accrual rate increases with tenure. All employees receive 11 company paid holidays per year. We also close our offices at the corporate level in the U.S. between Christmas and New Year. For operational positions that are expected to work on holidays, we provide additional compensation for hours worked.
• Health Insurance: Medical insurance offerings from Aetna and Kaiser (CA &HI). Options for Employee Only, Employee + Spouse/Domestic Partner, Employee + Children, or Family. Dental PPO and DMO options & Vision insurance through EyeMed or VSP.
• 401K with 50% match on up to 8% contribution, full vested from day 1.
• Washington residents only are eligible for: Washington's Family and Medical Leave program and Washington's Paid Sick Leave program.
• Other offerings include: Wellness Program, Counseling services, FSA & HSA, Life Insurance for employee, spouse and child, AD&D Insurance, Long-term and Short-term disability, Critical Illness Insurance, Accident Insurance, Legal Assistance, Pet Insurance, Identity Theft Protection, Dependent Care FLSA, Education Assistance, Commuter Program, Employee Purchase Program, Service Award Program.

All applicants are subject to Company policies, third party customer and worksite requirements, and government requirements, regarding vaccination and/or testing for COVID-19. Where permitted by applicable law, applicants may be required to be fully vaccinated with an authorized COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of employment, unless they are eligible for and obtain an exemption based on a reasonable accommodation because of a disability or a sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance. While the Company strongly encourages COVID-19 vaccinations, it may require vaccination and/or testing for positions in which third party customer, worksite, or government requirements apply, in accordance with applicable law. At those locations where requirements apply, exemptions will be considered based on applicable law.
Panasonic is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by law or company policy. All qualified individuals are required to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. Pre-employment drug testing is required for safety sensitive positions or as may otherwise be required by contract or law. Due to the high volume of responses, we will only be able to respond to candidates of interest. All candidates must have valid authorization to work in the U.S. Thank you for your interest in Panasonic Avionics Corporate.
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