Quality Engineer Manager

Airbus•Kinston, NC

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Airbus Aerosystems Kinston, Inc. is seeking an on-site Quality Engineering Manager to lead quality improvement and compliance work across its manufacturing environment. The role is responsible for organizing and delivering projects that support product quality and ensure aircraft are manufactured in accordance with international standards, regulatory requirements, and internal processes. The manager leads the Quality Engineering team, develops and sustains site processes, and balances compliance, cost, and production timelines in a complex aerospace environment. The position oversees daily Quality Engineer and Quality Technical Advisor activities and performance, provides technical training, manages special process qualifications, and supports AS9100 and NADCAP audit compliance. It leads cross-functional improvement projects, problem-solving and risk mitigation, and works with Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, other Airbus sites, customers, and suppliers. The role also develops and governs tactical and strategic projects, supports customer relationships, and generates, submits, and monitors Notices of Escape, SARIs, and Events. It is a people-manager role with 3 to 10 reports. The position is on-site and requires willingness to travel up to 5% domestically and/or internationally. The work involves regular interaction with office and production environments, use of computers and manufacturing and quality systems, and required personal protective equipment when visiting shop floors. Physical activities include frequent walking, standing, sitting, squatting or kneeling, and occasional carrying or lifting of items up to 30 pounds.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Engineering and 5 years of industrial experience in the aviation industry, or a high school diploma or equivalency and at least 9 years of industrial experience in the aviation industry.
Experience with Airbus Quality systems and requirements and 9S/8D methodology.
Experience coaching or mentoring aviation personnel on roles, responsibilities, systems, process requirements, and improvements.
Experience in auditing and compliance, including AS9100 and NADCAP or similar.
Strong knowledge of aviation Quality Management Systems, preferably in manufacturing.
Experience managing operational projects with multiple stakeholders and demonstrated project-management capability.
Strong written and verbal communication skills in English for interaction across organizational levels and functions in a multicultural, multifunctional environment.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
Demonstrated understanding of Lean Manufacturing principles.
Strong attention to detail and organizational skills, flexibility, and initiative.
Proficiency with project-management tools, manufacturing tools (MES), and quality-management systems (QMS) used in manufacturing environments.
Proficiency and self-reliance with MS Office and Google Suite.
Eligible for employment in the United States; Airbus states that only applicants with current work authorization will be considered.
Willingness to travel up to 5% to domestic and/or international customers or suppliers.
Ability to meet the role's physical and onsite requirements, including using office and some production equipment, walking through office and production areas, and carrying or lifting items up to 30 pounds.
Use required personal protective equipment for site and customer-site conditions; steel-toed shoes are required for shop-floor visits, and hearing and eye protection may also be required.

Nice To Haves

Preferred bachelor's degree in Engineering, Aviation, or Quality Assurance.
Preferred 15 years of experience in project management, quality assurance, quality control, manufacturing operations, manufacturing engineering/methods, or a similar role in aviation or other manufacturing environments.
Training certifications in project management, quality management, aviation safety, and regulatory compliance.
Experience with aerospace-specific tools such as SAP, MES systems, and statistical software such as Minitab or JMP.
Familiarity with enterprise quality-management software.

Responsibilities

Support, lead, verify, and implement cross-departmental Quality improvement projects.
Identify recurring problems, including Airbus- and supplier-caused problems; initiate escalations and develop and implement risk mitigation measures using the Manage Practical Problem Solving approach.
Manage QSR, SARI, Events, and NOEs.
Provide technical training to Quality Engineers (QEs) and Quality Technical Advisors (QTAs) so they can complete the Quality Engineering scope of work.
Manage and sustain special process qualifications throughout the Kinston sites.
Facilitate management and monitoring of Kinston site AS9100 and NADCAP certifications and audit compliance.
Contribute technical and professional expertise to process and product quality improvements.
Oversee QEs' and QTAs' daily activities and performance to decrease non-conformance and support rate enablement.
Lead efforts to evolve systems and processes and implement resulting improvements across the site.
Partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain to integrate quality requirements into production and sourcing processes.
Communicate and collaborate with Cadrean, Montair, the Toulouse Final Assembly Line (FAL), and, as needed, airlines on product improvement, safety, and development.
Propose and implement a project structure and governance model that secures short-term deliveries and establishes a long-term foundation.
Make decisions about process conformity and quality-management-system improvements, balancing compliance, cost, and production timelines.
Lead the Quality Engineering team, resolve daily issues, and assign and follow up on work.
Lead development, implementation, and sustainment of tactical and strategic projects across the site and Airbus enterprise.
Develop and train Quality Engineering team members.
Support customer relationships by ensuring compliance with contractual quality requirements.
Generate, submit, and monitor Notices of Escape, SARIs, and Events.
Travel to domestic and/or international customers or suppliers as needed, up to 5%.