Quality Manager

Quality Manager

Job Location s: US-CA-Rancho Dominguez

Element is seeking an experienced Quality Manager to lead quality operations for a Non‑Destructive Testing (NDT) laboratory. Reporting to the General Manager, this role is a key member of the leadership team, responsible for driving overall quality performance and continuous improvement.

The Quality Manager will oversee the Element Quality Management System (QMS), ensuring compliance with AS9100, Nadcap, customer, and regulatory requirements. Responsibilities include maintaining prime approvals, supporting Nadcap accreditation, improving First Time Right (FTR), strengthening aerospace customer relationships, and driving process improvements.

The successful candidate will have strong knowledge of AS9100 and applicable Nadcap disciplines. Experience with special processes, aerospace prime engagement, and the Nadcap accreditation process is preferred.

This role champions a culture of quality and integrity, mentoring teams to ensure compliance, technical accuracy, and service excellence.

Salary: $120‑170K/yr + Bonus Plan

• Lead the Site Quality Strategy:
  Provide overall leadership of the QMS for the NDT laboratory, ensuring full compliance with AS9100, Nadcap, prime customer, and regulatory requirements while driving a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence.
• Own Accreditations and Customer Approvals:
  Maintain and strategically expand all required certifications and approvals (including AS9100 and applicable Nadcap disciplines) to support customer requirements, business growth, and competitive positioning within the aerospace sector.
• Ensure Audit Excellence and Compliance:
  Direct audit readiness and execution for customer, prime, regulatory, certification body, and Nadcap audits. Oversee effective root‑cause analysis and corrective action processes to ensure timely, thorough, and compliant resolution of non‑conformances.
• Drive Quality Performance and Risk Mitigation:
  Improve First Time Right (FTR), reduce cost of poor quality, and implement measurable performance indicators (KPIs) aligned with business objectives. Lead risk‑based thinking and structured improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, PFMEA, and related methodologies.
• Champion Quality Culture and Capability:
  Develop and mentor teams to strengthen quality awareness, accountability, and technical compliance. Ensure robust training, certification (including NAS
  410 where applicable), and effective use of quality systems such as eQMS and PRI eAudit
  
  Net.
• Partner Across the Organization:
  Collaborate closely with operational leadership and Business Unit Quality teams to align site performance with customer expectations, corporate standards, and broader aerospace and defense business objectives.

• Bachelor's degree in a scientific or engineering discipline (or equivalent experience) with approximately 5+ years in special processes, NDT, materials testing, or a related aerospace environment.
• Proven experience working within AS9100 and/or ISO/IEC 17025 environments (AC7004 and Nadcap experience preferred).
• Demonstrated auditing experience (internal, regulatory, and customer audits required).
• Strong leadership in root‑cause analysis and corrective action (8D/E8), driving effective and sustainable quality improvements.
• Ability to develop and implement quality systems, procedures, and process controls.
• Strong project management, organizational, and prioritization skills, with the ability to lead cross‑functional teams to achieve business objectives.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel—including data analysis and reporting—and PowerPoint).
• Effective collaborator with strong problem‑solving capability and the ability to adapt to evolving regulatory and quality requirements.

Element is one of the fastest growing testing, inspection and certification businesses in the world. Globally we have more than 7,500 brilliant minds operating from 200 sites across 30 countries. Together we share an ambitious purpose to 'Make tomorrow safer than today'.

When failure…