Quality & Compliance Manager

CSMC • Waterloo, ON

58d

About The Position

CSMC is a space and defence company building mission-critical nuclear and space-adjacent systems in a highly regulated environment. We are seeking a Quality & Compliance Manager to build and operate our Quality Management System (QMS) from the ground up, lead our journey to ISO 9001 certification, and author/enforce the compliance policies and operating rhythms required to become Controlled Goods Program (CGP) and Contract Security Program (CSP) and ultimately navigate the CNSC regulatory landscape.

This is a hands-on leadership role in an early-stage environment: you’ll write the system, implement it pragmatically, train teams, run audits, qualify suppliers, close corrective actions, and make compliance a durable habit.
Reporting to the COO, with day-to-day partnership across Engineering, Program Management, Supply Chain, and Security/IT.

Requirements

• Proven experience taking a company from “uncertified” to ISO 9001 certified (end-to-end: system build, implementation, internal audits, external certification).
• 7+ years in Quality / QMS leadership in a regulated environment (nuclear, aerospace, defence, medical devices, pharma, or equivalent).
• Strong working knowledge of QMS building blocks: document/records control, process mapping, internal audits, supplier quality, CAPA, training/competency, risk-based thinking.
• Demonstrated ability to write clear procedures and implement them in real teams (not just author documents).
• Excellent stakeholder management: able to influence engineers, operators, and executives; pragmatic and action-oriented.
• Must be eligible to work in Canada, and able to attain appropriate security clearances requisite with a defence, aerospace & nuclear company of this type, and commensurate engineering position. Candidates will be subject to background checks.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with nuclear quality frameworks (CSA N286/N299, NQA-1, 10 CFR 50 App B concepts) and how nuclear organizations structure oversight programs.
• Experience building supplier qualification and surveillance programs.
• Experience implementing or modernizing an IMS/QMS platform with training + change management.
• Experience with Controlled Goods Program / security posture work (policy, training, access control, audits).
• Lead auditor credentials (ISO 9001 and/or nuclear/aerospace equivalents).

Responsibilities

• Build the QMS (ISO 9001 certification)
• Compliance programs (CGP / CSP readiness)
• Nuclear quality alignment (CNSC readiness over time)
• Audits, supplier quality, and corrective action (operational excellence)
• Quality culture and enablement

Benefits

• The chance to help shape the future of energy, space, and defence in Canada.
• Exposure to cutting edge technologies, with mentorship from experienced founders and executives.
• A collaborative, mission-driven culture with a flat hierarchy and room for rapid growth.
• Equity participation in a high-growth startup

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed