QA Manager

Skyways • Austin, TX

66d

About The Position

At Skyways, we are building a new form of air transportation—what some call the flying car. Backed by fresh funding and a major STRATFI contract from the U.S. Air Force, we’re uniquely positioned to lead the next wave of aviation innovation. Our fully autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) represent a breakthrough opportunity to move goods—and soon, people—in ways that are faster, safer, and more efficient than ever before. Unlike anyone else in the industry, our strategy blends rapid iteration with real-world deployment, and it’s already paying off. Skyways is a fast-growing startup based in Austin, TX, supported by top Silicon Valley investors including Y Combinator. Though we’re early-stage, our vehicles are already in production and in the hands of paying commercial customers (see here and here). With robust financial backing and government partnerships accelerating our momentum, there’s never been a better time to join us and help build the future of transportation! The Opportunity The QA Manager will build Skyways’ quality foundation from the ground up. This is not a policy role. It is an opportunity to design and lead how quality is embedded into everything we design, build, and fly. You will be the first person in this function, owning quality across the full lifecycle from receiving and development through production and delivery. You will create the systems and processes that make quality inseparable from how Skyways operates, ensuring every part, assembly, and aircraft meets the highest standards before it leaves the floor. This role is for someone with an entrepreneurial spirit who thrives in new territory. You will jump into the unknown, build structure where there is none, and make quality a core advantage for Skyways as we scale.

Requirements

• 8+ years of experience in quality assurance or quality engineering in aerospace, defense, or automotive manufacturing.
• Proven experience setting up and scaling QMS processes in a production environment.
• Deep understanding of AS9100, ISO 9001, or equivalent frameworks.
• Hands on approach to solving production and supplier issues.
• Ability to collaborate across engineering, manufacturing, and flight teams.
• Strong documentation habits and attention to detail.
• Passion for aviation and for building real systems that fly.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident due to ITAR regulations.

Nice To Haves

• Experience bringing new aircraft or complex systems into production.
• Familiarity with UAV operations, flight testing, or airworthiness certification.
• Startup experience building quality programs from zero.

Responsibilities

• Build and lead Skyways’ Quality Assurance function from the ground up.
• Create and implement a complete Quality Management System covering receiving, development, production, and final delivery.
• Establish clear inspection and documentation processes at every step, from parts arriving to aircraft shipping out.
• Partner with production and engineering to define QA checkpoints, resolve issues, and drive root cause improvements.
• Manage supplier quality and incoming inspection programs.
• Ensure documentation, traceability, and accountability through every build.
• Prepare the company for FAA, DoD, and ISO audits.
• Build a culture where quality and speed coexist.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees