Quality Assurance Lead - Configuration Management

Job Openings Quality Assurance Lead - Configuration Management

Position Overview

The CM/QA Lead will establish and maintain enterprise-wide configuration management and quality assurance systems across all programs, ensuring compliance with defense industry standards while providing independent oversight of quality processes. This dual role integrates configuration control with quality management for optimal process efficiency and removes conflicts of interest by providing independent quality oversight across multiple production contracts, UAS programs, and prototype development efforts.

Primary Responsibilities

• Configuration Management
• Establish and implement company-wide CM policies, procedures, and standards across all programs
• Develop and maintain configuration management plans (CMPs) for all active programs including production contracts, UAS systems, and prototype development
• Create and manage configuration baselines for hardware, software, firmware, and documentation Implement change control processes including change request evaluation, approval workflows, and implementation tracking
• Establish configuration identification schemes and naming conventions across all product lines
• Manage configuration status accounting and reporting systems Coordinate configuration control between multiple concurrent programs
• Ensure traceability between requirements, design documents, test procedures,
• and deliverables

Quality Management System

• Implement, and maintain quality management system (QMS) in accordance with AS9100/ISO 9001 standards
• Enforce quality policies, procedures, and work instructions for all operational areas
• Coordinate with Lead Supplier Quality Engineer on supplier quality programs and performance
• Provide strategic oversight of supplier quality activities and integration with enterprise QMS
• Conduct internal quality audits and coordinate external certification audits
• Oversee corrective and preventive action (CAPA) processes
• Manage customer quality requirements and quality deliverables
• Maintain AS9100 certification and ensure continuous compliance

Enterprise Quality Oversight & Independent Review

• Provide independent quality oversight across all programs including production contracts, UAS division, and prototype development
• Establish independent review processes to eliminate conflicts of interest in quality oversight
• Conduct quality reviews of program management decisions and technical deliverables
• Establish inspection and test procedures for in-process work and final products
• Manage measurement and test equipment calibration programs
• Oversee first article inspection (FAI) and production acceptance testing processes
• Coordinate with manufacturing on process controls and statistical process control implementation
• Manage nonconformance identification, disposition, and corrective action processes
• Establish customer notification and quality reporting procedures

Process Integration & Compliance

• Integrate CM and QA processes for maximum efficiency and enterprise-wide compliance
• Conduct configuration audits (functional and physical) and quality system audits
• Establish metrics and reporting systems to track both CM effectiveness and quality performance
• Interface with program management to ensure CM/QA processes support program requirements without conflicts of interest
• Support proposal activities by developing integrated CM/QA approaches for new business opportunities
• Manage regulatory compliance requirements (ITAR, DFARS, customer-specific quality requirements)
• Ensure compliance with government contracting quality standards (DCMA oversight)

Data & Documentation Management

• Oversee product data management (PDM) system implementation and maintenance
• Manage engineering drawing release, revision control, and quality record retention processes
• Establish document control procedures for technical publications, specifications, and quality documentation
• Coordinate with IT on data backup, security, access control, and quality record archival requirements
• Ensure document control meets both CM and quality management system requirements
• Maintain integrated configuration status accounting and quality metrics reporting systems

Strategic Quality Leadership & Customer Interface

• Lead customer-facing quality discussions and quality system presentations
• Serve as primary quality authority for major customer audits and assessments
• Develop enterprise quality strategy and long-term quality improvement initiatives
• Coordinate quality activities between internal programs and supplier quality function
• Establish quality metrics and KPIs for enterprise-wide performance measurement
• Lead quality system improvements and process optimization initiatives
• Interface with senior customer quality personnel on strategic quality matters
• Manage quality aspects of business development and proposal activities

Required Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality…