Director, Global Quality Engineering & Control

AeroVironment • Simi Valley, CA

12d

About The Position

The Director, Global Quality Engineering and Control is responsible for defining, standardizing, and governing the practices, tools, and metrics used across the organization’s Quality Engineering and Quality Control functions. In a non-centralized structure, Quality Engineers and Inspectors are embedded within individual business units and do not report directly to this role. However, this leader is accountable for ensuring consistent approaches, effective training, and measurable performance across those distributed teams. The role partners closely with Business Unit Quality leaders, Engineering, Operations, and Supply Chain to drive a harmonized approach to product quality, compliance, and continuous improvement.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree is required in Engineering, Quality, or in a related field or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Minimum of 12 years of relevant experience required; specifically, in quality, mission assurance, or regulatory compliance within the defense, aerospace, or high-reliability manufacturing environment.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a leadership role.
• Expertise in AS9100, ISO 9001, ITAR, CMMI, and defense quality standards.
• Strong background in QMS implementation, supplier quality management, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Proven leadership experience managing quality teams and cross-functional initiatives.
• Experience with government contracts, DoD requirements, and working with regulatory agencies.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills.
• Deep expertise in quality engineering principles (DFMEA,PFMEA, PPAP/APQP, SPC, GD&T, MSA, etc.).
• Knowledge of BMS frameworks (ISO 9001, AS9100, or industry equivalent).
• Proficiency with quality tools/software (e.g., Minitab, SPC/QMS platforms, PLM, ERP systems).

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree, MBA or MS is highly preferred.
• Preferred Certifications: ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or ASQ Certified Quality Manager (CQM); Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or Master Black Belt; Project Management Professional (PMP); Certified Lead Auditor for AS9100/ISO 9001.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong analytical, critical thinking and interpersonal skills, with the ability to speak and write persuasively and lead without direct authority.
• Demonstrated experience working with cross-functional teams; ability to develop and maintain internal and external trusting, professional relationships
• Uses vision to think beyond the immediate situation, explore multiple potential paths, and adapt decision-making style based on the situational circumstances
• Inspires, motivates, and empowers people to deliver organizational goals, while also delivering value back to employees
• Brings organizational values to life using personality, uniqueness, and the creation of a shared vision
• Champions the process of change and promotes a culture of quick adaptation while helping others deal with the effects of change
• Takes ownership and responsibility for assigned tasks
• Is committed to learning from mistakes and driven to improve and enhance performance of oneself, others, and the company
• Focuses on teamwork and puts the success of the team above one's own interests

Responsibilities

• Governance & Standards Develop, deploy, and maintain company-wide processes and best practices for Quality Engineering, Quality Control, and Continuous Improvement.
• Establish standard approaches for DFMEA, PFMEA, control plans, inspections, verification/validation, nonconformance handling, and root cause analysis.
• Ensure alignment of business unit practices with corporate BMS and regulatory/industry standards.
• Training & Capability Development Define the training strategy and curricula for Quality Engineers and Inspectors embedded across business units.
• Provide coaching, mentoring, and knowledge-sharing forums to raise the competency and effectiveness of distributed quality personnel.
• Partner with HR/Learning to ensure career development pathways for Quality roles.
• Metrics & Performance Management Define and implement key quality metrics (e.g., defect rates, yield, inspection effectiveness, process capability, CoPQ).
• Monitor, consolidate, and report performance across business units, highlighting trends, risks, and improvement opportunities.
• Drive accountability for corrective and preventive actions by ensuring business units act on metric outcomes.
• Collaboration & Influence Serve as a subject matter expert and strategic partner to Business Unit Quality Leaders.
• Facilitate cross-BU alignment by leading Quality and Mission Assurance communities of practice, working groups, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Partner with Operations, Engineering, and Supply Chain to ensure that quality standards are designed into processes and products.
• Compliance & Continuous Improvement Ensure that all embedded Quality teams operate in compliance with ISO 9001, AS9100, or other relevant standards.
• Lead initiatives to close systemic gaps identified through audits, assessments, and metric performance.
• Champion a culture of defect prevention, risk management, and operational excellence across the enterprise.
• Other duties as assigned

Benefits

• AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown.
• For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits .

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees