Director of Quality, PCBA Manufacturing

The Director of Quality is responsible for leading all Quality Systems, Quality Engineering, and Inspection functions at the Carson City facility, with a primary focus on Class 3 aerospace and high-reliability PCBA manufacturing
. This role establishes, maintains, and continuously improves a robust AS9100-compliant Quality Management System while driving measurable quality objectives aligned with customer, regulatory, and Rocket EMS operational requirements.

The Director of Quality partners closely with Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Program Management to ensure product conformity, defect prevention, risk mitigation, and continuous improvement across the full PCBA lifecycle — from incoming materials through final inspection and customer delivery.

• Own, develop, implement, and sustain the AS9100 Quality Management System for the Carson City site.
• Ensure compliance with AS9100, ISO 9001
  , and applicable customer-specific aerospace requirements.
• Maintain strict document control, revision control, and change management practices appropriate for Class 3 manufacturing.
• Lead internal audits, management reviews, and corrective action systems to ensure ongoing certification readiness.

• Establish and enforce workmanship and process standards in accordance with IPC-A-610 Class 3, IPC-A-600, and J-STD-001 requirements.
• Drive quality planning activities for new and existing products, including control plans, PFMEA, risk assessments, and process validations
  .
• Ensure quality requirements are fully integrated into manufacturing documentation, traveler routes, and inspection plans.
• Promote a “build it right the first time” culture focused on defect prevention rather than detection.

• Analyze internal quality data (DPU, FPY, rework, scrap, escapes) and lead cross-functional corrective and preventive actions.
• Lead root cause investigations and completion of 8D, FA, and RCCA for internal and customer-reported issues.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives using SPC, trend analysis, Pareto analysis, and risk-based thinking
  .
• Establish realistic, data-driven quality objectives and targets aligned with customer and business goals.

• Define, maintain, and report a Quality KPI Matrix for the Carson City site, including but not limited to:
• Rework and scrap
• Audit findings and closure effectiveness
• Provide regular quality performance updates to site leadership and executive management.
• Use KPI data to proactively identify risk areas and improvement opportunities.

• Serve as the primary quality interface for aerospace customers at the Carson City site.
• Lead and participate in customer quality reviews, QBRs, surveys, and on-site audits.
• Coordinate and host customer, regulatory, and third-party audits
  , ensuring timely and effective responses.
• Monitor workmanship-related customer returns and drive systemic actions to prevent recurrence.
• Oversee Incoming QA, In-Process QC, and Final QA functions.
• Interface with supplier quality representatives to resolve material and component quality issues.
• Ensure supplier corrective actions are effective and aligned with Rocket EMS quality standards.
• Support supplier risk assessment and mitigation efforts for critical aerospace components.

• Ensure employees are trained and certified to applicable IPC Class 3 and J-STD-001 requirements.
• Educate the organization on quality system expectations and each employee’s role in product conformity.
• Promote accountability, discipline, and ownership across all quality functions.

• MS in Engineering with 3+ years of relevant quality experience
• OR
• BS in Engineering with 5+ years of relevant quality experience
• OR
• High School Diploma with 10+ years of progressive quality leadership experience in high-reliability electronics manufacturing

• Strong leadership and communication skills with the ability to interface directly with aerospace customers.
• Deep knowledge of PCBA manufacturing and high-reliability electronics processes
  .
• Hands-on experience managing AS9100 and ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems
  .
• Working knowledge of SPC, FMEA, Gage R&R, Control Plans, and Quality Planning
  .
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and data-driven quality reporting.
• Experience leading audits, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Knowledge of ITAR requirements.
• Strong working knowledge of IPC-A-600, IPC-A-610 (Class
  3), and J-STD-001
  .
• Knowledge of J-STD-001 Space Addendum strongly preferred.
• Lean manufacturing experience is a plus.