Quality Manager

About Kraken Kinetics

Kraken Kinetics designs and manufactures advanced kinetic solutions that enable modern war fighting capabilities for the United States Armed Forces and its allies. We specialize in mission‑tailored warheads and firing systems for unmanned and autonomous weapon platforms, delivering production‑ready solutions at speed to address urgent national security challenges.

Our team brings decades of specialized Department of War experience across the full lifecycle of kinetic system development—from concept and design through testing, manufacturing, and operational deployment. Built on a foundation of work that helped lead the DoW into the era of kinetic drones, Kraken Kinetics combines commercial agility with deep technical expertise to deliver DEFINITIVE LETHALITY
™ when it matters most.

Location: On‑site at our Pinehurst, NC area facility.

The Quality Manager at Kraken Kinetics is responsible for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continuously improving the company's Quality Management System (QMS) in support of advanced defense technology development and manufacturing operations.

This role serves as the organization’s lead for quality assurance, quality control, compliance, inspection, calibration oversight, supplier quality, and corrective action activities. The Quality Manager will be responsible for obtaining and maintaining applicable quality certifications, leading internal and external quality audits, governing First Article Inspection (FAI/FAIR), Nondestructive Testing (NDT) programs, Material Review Boards (MRB), supplier quality oversight, and corrective and preventive action (CAPA) activities.

As Kraken Kinetics continues to grow, the Quality Manager will build and lead the quality organization. During the initial growth phase, this individual will personally execute many of the inspection, compliance, calibration, audit, and corrective action functions that will later transition to dedicated quality personnel.

• Establish, implement, maintain, and continuously improve the Kraken Kinetics Quality Management System (QMS)
• Develop and maintain quality policies, procedures, work instructions, forms, and quality records
• Lead efforts to obtain and maintain applicable quality certifications and registrations
• Plan, conduct, and manage internal audits and support customer and third‑party audits
• Conduct management reviews and maintain quality performance metrics

• Govern First Article Inspection (FAI/FAIR) activities and acceptance processes
• Establish incoming, in‑process, and final inspection requirements
• Develop inspection plans, acceptance criteria, and sampling methodologies
• Oversee and administer Nondestructive Testing (NDT) programs
• Review and approve inspection records and product acceptance documentation
• Chair Material Review Boards (MRB) and disposition nonconforming material

• Lead corrective and preventive action (CAPA) activities
• Conduct root‑cause investigations and corrective action implementation
• Manage supplier quality requirements, evaluations, audits, and corrective actions
• Monitor quality metrics and drive continuous improvement initiatives
• Support customer complaint investigations and resolution activities

• Maintain oversight of calibration and metrology systems for measurement and test equipment
• Support management of export‑controlled quality records and compliance documentation
• Maintain quality‑related registrations, certifications, and regulatory records
• Ensure quality records are maintained in accordance with company and customer requirements

• Build and develop the Kraken Kinetics quality organization
• Lead recruitment, onboarding, and supervision of quality personnel
• Initially perform the duties of Quality Inspector and Compliance & Calibration Manager until those positions are established and staffed
• Execute inspection, audit, calibration oversight, compliance administration, and corrective action activities as required during the growth phase of the organization
• Provide quality training…