Quality Control Manager

Fairbanks Morse Defense, 701 White Ave, Beloit, Wisconsin, United States of America

Posted Thursday, December 11, 2025 at 6:00 AM

Job Title:
Production Quality Manager

Department :
Quality Assurance
Reports To
:
Director of Quality

Job Summary

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced
Production Quality Manager
to lead our quality assurance program for manufacturing operations. The ideal candidate will play a critical role in ensuring that our products meet rigorous defense industry standards, government regulations, and customer specifications. This position requires a strong understanding of quality management systems, production processes, and compliance requirements. The Production Quality Manager will lead a team of quality professionals and collaborate closely with production, engineering, and program management teams to drive continuous improvement and ensure the delivery of high‑quality, mission‑critical products.

Key Responsibilities

Quality Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team.
• Act as the primary point of contact for quality issues with customers, government representatives, and regulatory agencies.
• Provide training and guidance on quality standards, processes, and tools to employees at all levels.
• Guide new products from concept through product realization.
• Implement and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure and improve product quality and production efficiency.
• Manage quality control activities throughout the production lifecycle, including incoming materials, in‑process inspections, and final product testing.

Production Oversight

• Identify and resolve production quality issues by driving root cause analysis and implementing corrective/preventive actions.
• Develop, implement, and maintain quality assurance processes and procedures to meet applicable defense and nuclear industry standards (e.g., ISO 9001, ASME NQA‑1, MIL‑STD, ITAR, FAR/DFARS).
• Oversee audits (internal, customer, and third‑party) and ensure non‑conformances are documented and resolved in a timely manner.
• Champion Lean, and other process improvement initiatives to reduce defects, improve efficiency, and lower costs.
• Analyze production and quality data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Lead efforts to implement advanced quality tools, such as Statistical Process Control (SPC), Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA), and Design of Experiments (DOE).

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree (Engineering or Technical field preferred).
• Minimum of7 years of experience
  in quality management within a manufacturing environment, preferably in the defense, aerospace, or high‑tech industries.
• Experience with defense contracting and government compliance standards (e.g., ITAR, FAR/DFARS).

Skills & Certifications

• Strong knowledge of quality management systems and tools.
• Familiarity with defense and military standards and requirements.
• Quick Response Manufacturing QRM or equivalent certification preferred.
• ASQ Certified Manager of Quality and Operational Excellence.
• Proficient in quality tools and software, including SPC, FMEA, and root cause analysis techniques.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, technical specifications, and production schedules.

Additional Requirements

• This position requires access or potential access to Unclassified Naval Nuclear Propulsion Information, which is Not Releasable to Foreign Nationals (NOFORN) data. Therefore, to meet NOFORN requirement, you will have to provide proof of US Citizenship and attest that you do not have dual citizenship. Acceptable proof of US Citizenship is a US Passport, US Birth Certificate or Naturalization Certificate.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
• Flexibility to travel to suppliers, customers, or other company locations as needed.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• Work is performed in a combination of office and manufacturing environments.
• Ability to occasionally lift objects weighing up to
  35 pounds
  .
• Accurate color vision (Jaegar J1 and color panels).
• Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) required in production areas.

What We Offer

• Co…