Industry: Aerospace Manufacturing
Overview
We are seeking an experienced Quality Manager to lead the Quality organization within a precision aerospace manufacturing environment. This is a key leadership role responsible for strengthening the site's Quality Management System, maintaining AS9100 compliance, improving customer satisfaction, reducing defects and cost of poor quality, and driving a culture of continuous improvement.
The ideal candidate brings strong aerospace manufacturing quality experience, including leadership within an AS9100 environment, customer-facing quality responsibilities, audit leadership, and hands-on experience with structured problem-solving and Lean Six Sigma methodologies. Experience supporting precision CNC machining, tight-tolerance aerospace components, or similar high-mix/low-volume manufacturing environments is highly desirable.
Responsibilities
- Lead, coach, and develop the site's Quality team, including Quality Engineers, Inspectors, Auditors, and Quality Technicians.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, DMAIC, PDCA, and other structured problem-solving methodologies.
- Maintain and continuously improve the AS9100 Quality Management System (QMS).
- Lead internal, customer, and external quality audits and manage corrective action responses through closure.
- Serve as a primary customer-facing resource for quality concerns, escapes, corrective actions, performance metrics, and improvement initiatives.
- Partner closely with Operations and Engineering to resolve manufacturing and quality issues and improve overall process performance.
- Review customer purchase orders, specifications, engineering drawings, and quality requirements to ensure appropriate flow-down throughout manufacturing.
- Lead and support APQP activities, including:
- First Article Inspection (FAI)
- Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA)
- Process Flow Diagrams
- Measurement System Analysis (MSA)
- Statistical Process Control (SPC)
- Process Capability Studies
- Control Plans
- Run@Rate
- 8D Corrective Actions
- Lead root cause investigations and CAPA activities using 8D, DMAIC, PDCA, FMEA, and related methodologies.
- Develop and monitor quality KPIs, metrics, and reporting dashboards to identify trends and drive measurable improvements.
- Develop and improve quality procedures, work instructions, processes, and training programs.
- Build and maintain Skills Matrices to support employee development and departmental capability.
- Manage customer approval processes, sampling programs, and quality documentation.
- Oversee supplier quality performance and vendor corrective action activities.
- Support hiring, performance management, coaching, training, and development across the Quality organization.
- Promote a hands-on, data-driven quality culture throughout the manufacturing operation.
Qualifications
Candidates must meet one of the following education and experience requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, or a related field with 5+ years of manufacturing quality experience; or
- High school diploma/GED with 15+ years of progressive Quality experience.
Additionally, candidates should have:
- Quality leadership experience within an aerospace manufacturing environment.
- Strong working knowledge of AS9100 and aerospace Quality Management Systems.
- Experience in a precision machining, CNC machining, tight-tolerance, or comparable aerospace manufacturing environment.
- 3+ years of experience leading continuous improvement initiatives.
- Experience leading and developing Quality personnel.
- Demonstrated experience leading internal and external audits.
- Strong customer-facing quality experience, ideally working directly with aerospace OEM customers.
- Experience leading root cause analysis, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Working knowledge of ISO quality standards and NADCAP requirements.
- Experience with APQP, FAI, FMEA, MSA, SPC, Control Plans, Process Capability Studies, CAPA, and 8D.
- Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma principles.
- Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, and GD&T.
- Experience using Minitab and Microsoft Office.
- Ability to use and understand precision measurement equipment, including micrometers, calipers, height gauges, and similar inspection tools.
- Strong written, verbal, and customer-facing communication skills.
- Ability to travel occasionally.
- Must meet applicable ITAR requirements as a U.S. Person.
Preferred Qualifications
- Six Sigma Black Belt or equivalent certification.
- Lean certification.
- NADCAP audit experience.
- Self-release experience or certification, such as DSQR, DQCR, SARA, or equivalent.
- Experience supporting turbine engine components or other complex aerospace hardware.
- Experience within a high-mix, low-volume manufacturing environment.
Why This Opportunity
This is an opportunity to take ownership of a critical Quality function within an established aerospace manufacturing operation. The Quality Manager will have the ability to influence quality strategy, strengthen the AS9100 Quality Management System, develop a high-performing team, and partner directly with Operations, Engineering, suppliers, and customers to improve performance.
The role is particularly well suited for a hands-on Quality leader who enjoys solving complex manufacturing problems, developing people, working directly with customers, and using data and continuous improvement methodologies to drive measurable results.
Pay: $125,000.00 - $135,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
