Quality Engineering Manager

Quality Engineering Manager

The Quality Engineering Manager develops, maintains, and continuously improves the company's Quality Management System while ensuring that all products and processes meet customer, regulatory, and industry requirements. This role provides hands-on leadership for quality assurance activities, supports manufacturing and engineering, prepares the organization for AS9100 and NADCAP compliance, and champions a strong culture of continuous improvement in a high-mix, low-volume aerospace manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop quality personnel while fostering a culture of quality and accountability across the organization.
• Maintain and continually improve the AS9100-compliant Quality Management System and ensure adherence to customer, regulatory, and industry requirements.
• Coordinate and lead AS9100, NADCAP, customer, and internal audits, including planning, preparation, execution, and follow-up on corrective actions.
• Oversee First Article Inspections in accordance with AS9102, including inspection activities, product traceability, calibration, and quality record retention.
• Ensure products conform to engineering drawings, customer specifications, and contractual quality requirements.
• Lead root cause investigations and drive corrective and preventive actions to eliminate recurring quality issues.
• Monitor, analyze, and report quality performance metrics through Management Review and recommend targeted improvement initiatives.
• Partner closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Purchasing, and Operations to resolve quality issues and improve manufacturing processes.
• Serve as the primary quality representative for customers, suppliers, and regulatory agencies on all quality-related matters.
• Develop, maintain, and control quality procedures, work instructions, forms, and related documentation.
• Support supplier quality activities, including supplier evaluations, corrective actions, and performance improvement initiatives.
• Promote Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives to improve quality, reduce waste, and enhance operational performance.
• Provide hands-on support when needed, including backing up quality technicians and inspectors and performing inspections and hand measurements.
• Perform additional duties as assigned in support of company objectives and evolving business needs.

Essential Skills

• 8–10+ years of progressively responsible aerospace quality engineering experience, preferably in smaller companies where individuals perform a wide range of tasks.
• Experience administering an AS9100 or ISO-based Quality Management System, including leading (not just participating in) AS9100 audits.
• At least 2 years of experience leading and running AS9100 audits, customer audits, and NADCAP audits, including those for paint and anodizing processes.
• Experience preparing for and participating in NADCAP audits.
• Experience with AS9102 First Article Inspection Reports and FAIR 9102 requirements.
• 8+ years of experience performing root cause analysis and driving corrective and preventive actions.
• 3+ years of experience managing small teams of Quality Inspectors, Technicians, or Quality Engineers (approximately 1–4 people).
• Strong aerospace quality engineering background, including exposure to major aerospace supply chains and customer quality portals.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings and specifications and apply geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T).
• Experience with calibration systems and maintaining product traceability and quality records.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and ERP/MRP systems, with at least 8 years of experience using ERP systems.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (such as Mechanical, Industrial Manufacturing, Aeronautical, Electrical, or Chemical) or equivalent experience.
• Strong communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to balance assertiveness and diplomacy when addressing quality issues.
• Ability to independently lead and run AS9100 audits and customer audits from day one.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working in smaller aerospace companies where team members frequently wear multiple hats and…