Quality Assurance Manager

About the Organization Applied Aerospace & Defense (Applied) is a premier provider of advanced design, engineering, and vertically integrated manufacturing solutions for leading and next-generation space and defense technology companies. Applied builds complex hardware for extreme operating environments and is focused on three core markets:
Space and Launch Systems, Defense Aviation and Airborne Systems, and C5

ISR and Precision Strike Systems. With decades of space and defense manufacturing heritage, Applied combines deep material science and IP-enabled process expertise with the ability to enable rapid prototyping, enhance new product development, and responsively scale production. Across its nationwide infrastructure of advanced manufacturing facilities, Applied continuously supports a balanced mix of next-generation technology and platform development, large scale production programs, and aftermarket sustainment for enduring platforms.

EOE Statement Applied Aerospace and Defense is an equal opportunity employer.

Applied Aerospace & Defense is seeking an experienced, hands-on Quality Manager to lead quality activities within our Santa Ana aerospace manufacturing operation.

This is an opportunity for a quality leader who enjoys being close to the product and the manufacturing process—not someone who wants to manage quality from behind a desk. You will work directly with Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, customers, suppliers, and your Quality team to solve complex manufacturing challenges, strengthen our Quality Management System, and ensure that highly engineered aerospace and defense products meet the highest standards of safety, quality, and performance.

If you have strong aerospace manufacturing experience, understand AS9100 requirements, and enjoy developing teams while solving problems on the manufacturing floor, we want to hear from you.

Applied Aerospace & Defense is a leading aerospace and defense manufacturer supporting mission-critical applications for military, space, and commercial customers.

Our teams manufacture highly engineered, flight-critical components and complex assemblies, including pressure vessels and tanks, structural assemblies, composites, machined components, and other advanced aerospace products.

We combine technical expertise, precision manufacturing, and a commitment to continuous improvement to deliver products our customers can depend on when performance matters most.

The Quality Manager is responsible for leading and coordinating quality assurance and inspection activities to ensure products, processes, and systems comply with customer, regulatory, and internal requirements.

This position provides leadership to Quality personnel while remaining actively engaged with the manufacturing floor. The Quality Manager will partner closely with Engineering and Operations on nonconformances, Material Review Board (MRB) activities, root cause investigations, corrective actions, inspections, audits, supplier quality issues, and continuous improvement initiatives.

The successful candidate will be a strong technical problem solver who can balance customer requirements, compliance, production needs, and sound quality practices.

Pay Range: $ to $ per year, depending on experience

• Lead, coach, and develop Quality team members responsible for inspection, testing, and quality assurance activities.
• Ensure products and manufacturing processes comply with drawings, specifications, customer requirements, internal procedures, and applicable regulatory standards.
• Establish quality control criteria, inspection requirements, methods, and flow-down requirements based on customer and contractual requirements.
• Serve as an active member of the Material Review Board (MRB) and support appropriate disposition of nonconforming hardware.
• Partner with Engineering, Operations, and Quality teams to evaluate nonconformances and determine appropriate rework, repair, scrap, or customer-submittal actions.
• Lead root cause and corrective action efforts using methodologies such as 5 Why, Fishbone, 8D, and other structured problem-solving techniques.
• Identify systemic quality issues and implement effective corrective and preventive actions to reduce repeat nonconformances.
• Review and approve manufacturing routings to ensure inspection points and quality requirements are appropriately defined.
• Develop and maintain…