Quality Assurance Manager

Advanced Navigation • Huntsville, AL

7d • Onsite

About The Position

Advanced Navigation has established Advanced Navigation America to stand up manufacturing of advanced navigation sensors and systems in the United States. The company is seeking an experienced, strategic Quality Assurance Manager for its Huntsville, Alabama facility. The manager will establish, lead, and maintain a Quality Assurance department in parallel with manufacturing operations, ensuring components, products, processes, and systems meet customer, regulatory, and contractual requirements while advancing continuous improvement and operational excellence across design, manufacturing, and supply chain functions.

The role is the primary quality authority for U.S. operations. It includes direct supervisory oversight, technical mentorship, and performance management for a growing Quality Assurance team of approximately 2–5 direct reports, as well as serving as a quality partner to manufacturing operations, production engineering, supply chain, and executive leadership. The manager will establish and maintain a Quality Management System compliant with ISO 9001, AS9100, and applicable U.S. aerospace, defense, DoD, and regulatory requirements, and lead the organization through initial AS9100 certification.

The position operates across office spaces, hardware labs, cleanrooms, and active electronic assembly areas. Work includes regular movement across production floors and warehouse facilities, use of inspection and diagnostic equipment, and compliance with ESD protocols, safety eyewear requirements, and regulatory safety boundaries. The typical noise level is moderate.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality Management, or a related technical field.
• 10 or more years of progressive quality assurance experience in the aerospace or defense industry, including direct experience with electronics assemblies.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. federal Secret Security Clearance and eligibility to work with export-controlled technology.
• Strong working knowledge of AS9100, ISO 9001, ITAR/EAR regulations, and defense compliance requirements.
• Hands-on experience with IPC-610, IPC-620, J-STD-001, IPC-7711/7721 electronics assembly standards, and applicable MIL-STDs.
• Proven experience leading regulatory and customer audits and overseeing supplier quality management programs.
• Valid passport and willingness to travel occasionally, domestically and internationally, as required.
• Expertise in metrology, calibration standards, and structured root-cause methodologies such as 5 Whys, FMEA, and Six Sigma.
• Comprehensive knowledge of establishing quality assurance systems in high-reliability electronic and mechatronic manufacturing environments.
• Demonstrated ability to build, coach, and develop a technical quality team.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including presenting quality metrics, leading audit openings and closings, and communicating with global partners and regulatory authorities.
• Ability to frequently communicate verbally and in writing, move through production and warehouse settings, use precision measurement instruments, and occasionally lift or move items weighing up to 35 pounds.

Nice To Haves

• ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Certified Quality Auditor (CQA), or Six Sigma Black Belt certification.
• Prior experience working directly on DoD programs or defense prime contracts.
• Advanced proficiency in Lean manufacturing, Statistical Process Control (SPC), and FMEA deployment.
• Proficiency with ERP/MRP manufacturing modules, Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems, and quality data platforms.

Responsibilities

• Stand up, maintain, and continuously improve an ISO 9001- and AS9100-compliant Quality Management System, including leading initial AS9100 certification.
• Maintain a configuration management system compliant with U.S. aerospace and defense regulations, including ITAR, EAR, export controls, and DoD contractual requirements.
• Lead and manage internal and external AS9100, ISO 9001, customer, vendor, and regulatory compliance audits.
• Develop, execute, and govern Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) processes and root-cause analysis using methods such as 5 Whys, FMEA, Fishbone, and Six Sigma.
• Integrate quality assurance standards into product lifecycle phases, including design, manufacturing, electronics assembly, and testing.
• Direct supplier quality management programs, including vendor qualifications, capability audits, performance monitoring, and Vendor Scorecard reporting.
• Establish, track, and monitor KPIs and quality metrics, and deliver regular QMS effectiveness reports to senior leadership.
• Partner with engineering, production, and supply chain teams to resolve quality non-conformances and maintain operational flow.
• Oversee metrology, calibration standards, and adherence to IPC-610, IPC-620, J-STD-001, IPC-7711/7721, and MIL-STD assembly specifications.
• Provide direct supervisory oversight, technical mentorship, and performance management for the Quality Assurance organization, which has approximately 2–5 direct reports.
• Serve as the key quality partner to manufacturing operations managers, production engineering leads, supply chain directors, and executive leadership.
• Build, coach, and elevate a high-performing technical quality team.
• Frequently communicate quality requirements and metrics with internal teams, auditors, suppliers, and technicians; lead audit openings and closings and liaise with global partners and regulatory authorities.
• Move across production floors, cleanrooms, and warehouse facilities to inspect processes and conduct audits; use inspection tools and precision measurement instruments; occasionally lift and move fixtures, inspection equipment, or product components weighing up to 35 pounds.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance options.
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with company matching contributions up to 7%.
• Professional development allowance and budget allocations for security certifications, licensing, and education.
• Paid time off, sick leave, and paid company holidays.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager