Associate Director, Product Quality (onsite)
About The Position
At RTX, the world's largest aerospace and defense company, 185,000 great minds are united by purpose and inspired to make a difference solving the world’s most complex problems. With our three market leading businesses, world-class operations and investments in research and development, we offer capabilities and opportunity no one else can. Together, we push the boundaries of known science and find new ways to connect and protect our world. Collins Aerospace is a leader in technologically advanced, intelligent solutions that help redefine the aerospace and defense industry. With a comprehensive portfolio and deep technical expertise, we help customers meet the demands of the global market. Join us and help shape the future of aerospace and defense. The Associate Director, Product Quality – Site Leader is responsible for leading all quality engineering and quality assurance activities across the Cedar Rapids manufacturing site. This role supports the Site Manufacturing Leader and partners closely with production leadership across all manufacturing areas to ensure the highest levels of product quality, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence. Operating within an AS9100-certified environment, the Site Quality Leader oversees a team of Quality Engineers, Quality Assurance Technicians, and manufacturing-floor Quality personnel. This leader drives site-level quality strategy, ensures adherence to the Quality Management System (QMS), supports root cause and corrective action (RCCA) initiatives, and promotes continuous improvement to enhance efficiency and production output.
Requirements
- Typically requires a University Degree and minimum 12 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 10 years of experience.
- Degree and experience in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Business Management or related technical field.
- Leadership experience managing professional teams.
- Experience with AS9100 or comparable regulated quality systems.
- Experience with RCCA tools, continuous improvement, and cross-functional problem solving.
Nice To Haves
- Experience in aerospace, defense, avionics, or electronics manufacturing.
- Proven ability to lead large teams in fast-paced production environments.
- Experience with Lean manufacturing, process capability, and statistical analysis tools.
- Proficiency with ERP/QMS systems such as SAP, or equivalent.
- Six Sigma Green Belt, Black Belt, or similar certification.
- Strong communication, leadership, and decision-making skills.
Responsibilities
- Lead, mentor, and develop a multi-disciplinary Quality team including Quality Engineers, Quality Assurance Technicians, and manufacturing-floor Quality personnel.
- Serve as the site-level quality authority for all production areas and top-level products manufactured at the Cedar Rapids facility.
- Partner closely with the Site Manufacturing Leader and Production Leaders to support operational goals while safeguarding product quality and compliance.
- Ensure full alignment with AS9100 and internal QMS requirements across all manufacturing processes and production operations.
- Oversee process controls, inspection systems, documentation, and compliance activities to ensure consistent and reliable product quality.
- Coach quality team to drive RCCA investigations and problem-solving activities, ensuring timely, data-driven, and effective corrective actions.
- Champion continuous improvement initiatives focused on reducing defects, improving process capability, increasing production throughput, and enhancing overall efficiency.
- Monitor site-level quality performance metrics, identify trends, and implement strategic actions to improve quality outcomes.
- Lead internal and external audits, ensure readiness across all production areas, and drive closure of corrective actions.
- Collaborate with engineering, operations, supply chain, and leadership teams to resolve quality issues, manage risks, and ensure seamless execution throughout the product lifecycle.
- Promote a culture of quality ownership across the site by influencing behaviors, reinforcing standards, and coaching production teams.
- Support business travel up to 10%.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Three weeks of vacation for newly hired employees
- Generous 401(k) plan that includes employer matching funds and separate employer retirement contribution, including a Lifetime Income Strategy option
- Tuition reimbursement program
- Student Loan Repayment Program
- Life insurance and disability coverage
- Optional coverages you can buy pet insurance, home and auto insurance, additional life and accident insurance, critical illness insurance, group legal, ID theft protection
- Birth, adoption, parental leave benefits
- Ovia Health, fertility, and family planning
- Adoption Assistance
- Autism Benefit
- Employee Assistance Program, including up to 10 free counseling sessions
- Healthy You Incentives, wellness rewards program
- Doctor on Demand, virtual doctor visits
- Bright Horizons, child and elder care services
- Teladoc Medical Experts, second opinion program
- Annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
