Director, Quality

Airbus•Columbus, MS

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Airbus Helicopters is seeking a Site Quality Director to lead the site-level Quality Management System and daily operational integrity at its Columbus, Mississippi facility. Reporting to the VP of Quality, the director is responsible for aviation safety, manufacturing excellence, and regulatory compliance across FAA, EASA, TCCA, and AS9100 standards. The role leads quality professionals across logistics, assembly, component repair, and final conformity, and promotes a “First Time Right” culture while harmonizing site practices with global Airbus standards and connecting engineering, regulators, and frontline operations. The director oversees regulatory certifications, site QMS governance, inspections, quality-risk mitigation, audits, corrective action, workforce development, departmental finances, training, and continuous improvement. The position also coordinates with international Airbus Helicopters facilities and collaborates with design engineering, certification, operations, and program management on product development, production flow, and delivery schedules. The role is based onsite in Columbus, Mississippi, with domestic and international travel of up to 15%. Candidates must qualify as a U.S. Person under the ITAR definition. The position requires routine interaction with office and production environments, use of office and production equipment, and the ability to meet the listed physical and PPE requirements.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Aviation, Industrial Engineering, an engineering-related field, or equivalent experience (four years).
At least 10 years of aerospace/aviation industry, military, or quality experience.
At least three years in a civilian and/or military leadership role.
Ability to support functions in areas including repair station, manufacturing, composites, electrical/avionics backshop, warehousing/logistics, dynamic component repair, blades, and tail boom.
Knowledge of FAA regulations 14 CFR Parts 21, 43, and 145, as well as related Transport Canada and EASA sections.
Knowledge of AS9100 quality requirements and systems.
Knowledge of aircraft design, maintenance, manufacturing processes, and build cycles.
Experience or ability with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Access), Onbase, Orion eTechPub, Adobe Acrobat, SAP, Smartsheet, G Suite, OCE/ARAS/Bflow, and T.I.P.I.
Must be a U.S. Person under the ITAR definition: U.S. citizen, green card holder, or person covered under the company’s existing ITAR license.
Ability to travel independently and at short notice; travel is up to 15% yearly.
Ability to read computer screens, electronic equipment screens, documents, reports, and engineering drawings; correctable near and far vision if applicable.
Ability to hear and communicate in person and by teleconference or phone, and hear production-floor safety warnings or alarms.
Ability to operate office and personal electronic equipment and some production tools.
Ability to carry and lift documents, tools, drawings, and electronic equipment up to 30 lb/14 kg.
Ability to push and pull small office furniture, equipment, and tools; sit for extended periods; squat or kneel to access low shelving; stand for discussions; and walk through office and production areas, including uneven surfaces.
Must wear required PPE, including safety shoes, safety glasses, hearing protection, respirators/masks, and/or protective gloves as required by the site or customer; steel-toed shoes and appropriate hearing/eye protection are required for shop-floor visits.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Aerospace, Aviation, Industrial Engineering, an engineering-related field, or equivalent area.
12 years of aerospace/aviation industry, military, or quality experience and three years in a civilian and/or military leadership role.
A&P License.
ASQ or CMQ certification.

Responsibilities

Maintain and expand site compliance for FAA, EASA, and TCCA repair station and production certificates, certified personnel, and AS9100 QMS credentials.
Administer the site Quality Management System and collaborate with the Executive Committee to incorporate strategic quality objectives into business planning.
Supervise and enforce inspection standards across supply chain, logistics, receiving, in-process assembly, quality gates, and final aircraft conformity.
Identify and eliminate operational and airworthiness risks to protect flight safety, business continuity, delivery schedules, and operating costs.
Manage, mentor, and evaluate quality supervisors, engineers, and inspectors; direct career development, staffing, and technical competence.
Implement and track Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery, and People (SQCDP) metrics, including non-conformances, process capability, and customer complaints.
Direct departmental budgeting and financial forecasts, analyze cost variances, and allocate capital for measurement tools, calibration, and ergonomic work environments.
Lead practical problem solving, PDCA, and root cause and corrective action workflows to resolve manufacturing anomalies and prevent recurrence.
Coordinate with international Airbus Helicopters facilities to harmonize quality procedures, digital architectures, and enterprise systems.
Promote a proactive safety culture based on First Time Right execution and a Speak Up / Listen Up mindset.
Lead preparation, execution, and reporting for internal, regulatory, and customer audits, and ensure corrective-action milestones are closed.
Partner with design engineering and certification teams on new product development, configuration integrity, obsolescence management, and manufacturing build cycles.
Lead continuous improvement, Lean, and Kaizen initiatives to reduce scrap, rework, and Cost of Non-Quality and improve delivery reliability.
Coordinate with operations and program management to balance inspection staffing and shift priorities with flightline and customer delivery schedules.
Develop and fund onboarding and recurrent training in aviation safety, specialized processes, and regulatory requirements.

Benefits

Competitive base salary and incentive compensation, which may include profit-sharing schemes.
Retirement savings plan and opportunity to participate in an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).
Paid time off, including personal time and holidays.
Paid parental leave program.
Medical insurance, including traditional and high-deductible health plans.
Prescription coverage.
Dental insurance.
Vision insurance.
Life insurance.
Disability coverage.
Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) and other supplemental benefit coverage.
Upskilling and development opportunities through the global Leadership University, including access to more than 10,000 e-learning courses, certifications, career-path development, accelerated development programs, and national and international mobility.