Quality Manager

Quality Manager

Aspen Aerogels is seeking a strong, hands-on, and technically capable Quality Manager to lead and strengthen the Quality function in support of automotive manufacturing growth, customer satisfaction, and operational stability. Reporting to the Sr. Director Operations & Quality Director, this role will be responsible for driving quality system discipline, customer compliance, supplier quality readiness, and cross-functional execution across manufacturing, engineering, supply chain, operations, R&D, and EHS.

This position is critical to support Aspen's transition toward a more independent, standardized, and automotive-ready quality organization. The Quality Manager will ensure that quality processes are not only documented but effectively implemented on the manufacturing floor including control plans, quality gates, incoming inspection, process controls, layered audits, nonconformance management, APQP, PPAP, supplier qualification, and customer-specific requirements.

The ideal candidate must be able to lead through ambiguity, stabilize quality performance during supplier/process changes, support customer escalations, and develop a high-performing Quality Engineering team capable of sustaining IATF 16949 expectations, automotive core tools, product validation, traceability, and continuous improvement.

Minimum 8–10 years of progressive Quality experience in automotive manufacturing, preferably Tier 1 or Tier
2. Minimum 3–5 years of people leadership experience managing Quality Engineers, Supplier Quality, Process Quality or Quality Systems teams. Strong experience with IATF 16949, ISO 9001, APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plan, MSA, SPC and 8D problem solving. Demonstrated experience managing customer escalations, supplier changes, production stabilization, and major quality recovery plans. Experience interacting directly with OEM customers is strongly preferred. Ability to lead in a fast-paced manufacturing environment with incomplete information, competing priorities and high customer visibility.

Strong technical judgment and ability to challenge weak root causes, incomplete corrective actions, and undocumented process changes. Experience building quality systems, not only maintaining them.

Ability to protect the customer while supporting operational continuity. Strong floor presence and hands-on leadership. Capability to drive discipline in control plans, quality gates, and process adherence. Ability to build independence from supplier-driven knowledge gaps. Strong escalation management and communication with leadership. Ability to develop people while holding accountability. Strong automotive mindset: prevention, traceability, validation, documentation, and customer approval before execution.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:
Frequently required to stand, sit, and use hands. Occasionally required to walk, climb, balance, bend, stoop, kneel, or crawl. Frequently works near moving mechanical parts and may be exposed to fumes or airborne particles. Occasionally exposed to extreme heat or cold. The noise level in the work environment is typically moderate. Must occasionally lift and move up to 10 pounds.

Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and focus adjustment.

Aspen is committed to offering a comprehensive benefits package, a positive and productive work environment, encouraged work/life and family balance, and opportunities for growth and development, in a culture that is focused on inclusion, sustainability, and working together to solve the world's toughest challenges. Aspen is proud to offer a competitive benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision, Tuition Reimbursement, Paid Holidays, Sick Time, and PTO.

In addition, we also offer 401k Employer Match, Life and Disability Insurance, and other benefits. Expected Compensation:
Between $130,000 and $150,000 USD/year based on experience. Yearly Bonus eligibility. Aspen Aerogels, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.