Product Assurance Manager II

Sierra Nevada Corporation•Hagerstown, MD

8d•$113,429 - $155,964•Onsite

About The Position

The Product Assurance Manager II leads the development, application, and maintenance of quality evaluation and control systems for processing materials into finished products. This role involves overseeing complex inspections, testing, and evaluating precision and accuracy, ensuring compliance with quality standards, and providing strategic recommendations for continuous improvement. The manager will also mentor junior staff and collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance product quality. This Product Assurance role will provide direct oversight and leadership for all inspection personnel at the Hagerstown, MD facility. Functional areas under this role include Receiving Inspection, Backshop operations (machining and metal forming), Rackshop assembly (structural and electronic equipment), and Aircraft-level inspection for both avionics and structural modifications. The manager will ensure that inspection activities are executed in accordance with all applicable regulatory and quality requirements, operating within a highly regulated environment governed by AS9100 standards, DCMA 8210 contract obligations, and FAA 14 CFR regulations. This position is accountable for maintaining compliance, driving inspection excellence, and ensuring the integrity of products supporting aircraft modification programs. The Mission Solutions and Technologies (MST) business area provides affordable, turn-key command/control, communications, integrated ISR, force protection and security solutions worldwide. The MST team has a long legacy of supporting the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, commercial and international customers with years of experience in platform operations, engineering and full lifecycle management across domains – air, land, sea, space and cyber.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a related field of study.
9+ years of progressive product assurance experience.
Relevant experience can be considered as a substitute for the required educational qualifications. In the absence of a degree, a minimum of 13 years of related experience is required.
Higher level relevant degree may substitute for experience.
In-depth knowledge of ISO 9001 and AS 9100 standards.
In-Depth knowledge in Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) and Government requirements and standards.
Ability to understand and interpret technical electrical and mechanical drawings, parts lists, and test procedures.
In-depth knowledge of FAA 14 CFR, including the regulatory requirements governing airworthiness, maintenance, inspection, and conformity to approved design data.
Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret U.S. Security Clearance.
U.S. Citizenship status is required as this position needs an active U.S. Security Clearance for employment.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a manufacturing environment.
Certification in Quality Assurance or related field [e.g., American Society for Quality (ASQ)].
Experience in the aerospace or defense industry.
In-depth knowledge of FAA 14 CFR Part 145 Repair Station requirements, including maintenance, alteration, and return to service regulatory obligations for certificated repair stations.
In-depth knowledge of FAA 14 CFR Part 21, including Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA), conformity inspection, and Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) processes, with familiarity in design approval, production approval, and conformity documentation requirements.
Proficiency with IPC-A-610 (Acceptability of Electronic Assemblies) for inspection and evaluation of avionics and electronic equipment.
Proficiency with IPC/WHMA-A-620 (Requirements and Acceptance for Cable and Wire Harness Assemblies) for oversight of electrical harness fabrication within aircraft modification programs.
Experience with Non-Destructive Testing (NDT), specifically Dye Penetrant Inspection per ASTM E1417 (Type I, Method C) and inspection criteria defined in SAE AS3071, supporting structural inspection needs in Backshop and Aircraft areas.
Knowledge of Chemical Conversion Coating processes in accordance with MIL-DTL5541, including evaluation of surface preparation, coating quality, and process control requirements for aircraft components.
Understanding of Aircraft Weight and Balance principles, including documentation, post-modification mass property changes, and compliance with airworthiness and certification documentation requirements.

Responsibilities

Serve as the designated FOD Manager in accordance with DCMA Instruction 8210 requirements, ensuring robust Foreign Object Damage prevention, awareness, and compliance across all inspection and production areas.
Provide oversight of aircraft induction and return to service activities, ensuring accurate preliminary inspections, discrepancy documentation, configuration verification, records review, and compliance with all regulatory and contractual requirements throughout the induction and RTS lifecycle.
Lead the development and maintenance of quality control systems and protocols for processing materials into finished products.
Oversee complex inspections, testing, and evaluations of product precision and accuracy.
Ensure that corrective measures and deviations meet acceptable reliability standards.
Maintain and update comprehensive quality documentation and records.
Conduct and lead audits of production processes to ensure adherence to quality standards and specifications.
Collaborate with engineering, production, and management teams to address quality issues and implement improvements.
Mentor and train quality assurance staff on quality standards, procedures, and best practices.
Conduct root cause analysis and implement corrective actions for identified issues.
Ensure compliance with industry standards, regulatory requirements, and company policies.
Utilize advanced inspection tools and techniques to verify product specifications and drive process improvements.