Senior Quality Assurance Analyst

Company Overview

Metrea delivers effects-as-a-service to national security partners across five domains and more than a dozen mission areas-including airborne ISR, electronic warfare, secure communications, aerial refueling, special mission aviation, aerial firefighting, and advanced simulation.

Wherever we operate, we build vertically integrated full stacks of capability-designing, building, and operating turnkey solutions that let customers scale capacity while benefiting from continuous cycles of innovation. With operators and engineers under one roof, we close the gap between lab and field-what we call connecting design with effect.

Metrea's solutions are built for elegance: effective, efficient, and evolving. This approach enables our partners to do more with less and achieve outsized, asymmetric advantage against rapidly evolving threats.

Headquartered in Washington, DC, Metrea has facilities across the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, and beyond.

Group Overview

Air Mobility Group (AIRMOB) is responsible for developing and delivering Metrea's aerial refueling (AAR) capabilities, ensuring the readiness and operational effectiveness of the tanker fleet. AIRMOB oversees fleet management, maintenance, and airworthiness, working to sustain and enhance refueling operations. It manages the integration of new processes and technologies, ensuring that tanker aircraft remain mission-ready through effective logistics, maintenance oversight, and regulatory compliance.

By coordinating across various teams, AIRMOB ensures the fleet meets both current and future operational needs, supporting a range of specialized air mobility missions.

Position Summary

In this role, you will conduct comprehensive internal and external quality audits to ensure AIRMOB's aerial refueling operations meet commercial airline-level quality standards and regulatory requirements. You will perform detailed assessments of quality management systems, supplier evaluations, and compliance audits while supporting continuous improvement initiatives across air mobility operations. You will be successful if you are methodical, thorough in your assessments, and thrive in an environment where audit quality directly supports operational safety and airworthiness.

What You'll Do

* Plan, conduct, and report on internal quality audits across all air mobility operations and support functions

* Perform external supplier audits and evaluations to ensure vendor compliance with quality standards

* Conduct comprehensive assessments of quality management systems, procedures, and processes

* Evaluate compliance with Part 121, Part 135, Part 145, and other applicable regulatory requirements

* Lead audit activities for Safety Management System (SMS) and Quality Assurance Program (QAP) compliance

* Develop audit plans, checklists, and procedures based on regulatory standards and industry best practices

* Interview personnel, review documentation, and observe operations to assess compliance and effectiveness

* Prepare detailed audit reports with findings, recommendations, and corrective action requirements

* Track and verify completion of corrective actions and follow-up activities

* Support customer audits and regulatory inspections as subject matter experts

* Maintain audit documentation and records in accordance with regulatory and company requirements

* Coordinate with cross-functional teams to resolve audit findings and implement improvements

* Provide training and guidance to personnel on audit processes and quality requirements

* Support supplier qualification and ongoing supplier management programs

* Assist in development and revision of quality procedures and work instructions

What You'll Bring

Must Haves

* Minimum 5 years of experience conducting quality audits in a commercial aviation environment

* Strong knowledge of aviation quality standards including Part 121, Part 135, Part 145, AS9100, and ISO 9001

* Proven ability to conduct both internal and external audits independently

* Excellent analytical, investigative, and problem-solving skills

* Strong written and verbal communication skills with ability to prepare comprehensive reports

* Knowledge of aviation maintenance operations, flight operations, and ground support activities

* Understanding of supplier management and vendor qualification processes

* Ability to travel for external audits and supplier evaluations

Nice to Haves

* CASE (Coordinating Agency for Supplier Evaluation) Level 3 qualification

* Part 121 or Part 135 air carrier auditing experience

* Experience with Safety Management System (SMS) and Quality Assurance Program (QAP) auditing

* Experience with audit management software and documentation systems

* Professional auditing certifications (ASQ CQA, RABQSA, etc.)

* A&P license or aviation technical background

* Experience with multi-engine turbine aircraft operations

* Knowledge of aerial refueling or specialized mission aircraft operations

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

* Must be able to obtain and maintain DoD…