Quality Manager, Microwave Line

TTM•Syracuse, NY

41d•Onsite

About The Position

The Quality Manager, Microwave Line reports to the site Director of Quality & Compliance and is responsible for the quality assurance function across TTM Syracuse's RF microwave and microelectronic assembly manufacturing operations. This role leads a team of Quality professionals — providing hands-on leadership from design interface through production, test, and customer delivery within a regulated aerospace and defense electronics manufacturing environment. The Quality Manager serves as a key member of the site Quality leadership team and plays a central role in maintaining compliance with AS9100 (IA9100), J-STD-001/IPC-610, and customer-specific requirements while driving a culture of continuous improvement.

Requirements

Thorough understanding of RF microwave/microelectronic assembly processes and associated process controls.
Strong working knowledge of AS9100/IA9100, J-STD-001/IPC-610, and related aerospace & defense industry specifications and acceptance criteria.
Proven analytical and problem-solving skills, including statistical data analysis and interpretation, as well as the ability to develop, implement, and drive improvement plans and project teams to successful completion.
Strong background in the use and understanding of key manufacturing performance metrics.
Proficient in data collection, analysis, and presentation.
Expertise in FMEA, root cause analysis, SPC, error proofing, and other core quality tools.
Knowledge of lean methodology and applications.
Experience with First Article Inspection (AS9102) processes and requirements.
Experience with APQP/PPAP and other relevant quality planning processes.
Demonstrate proactive and strategic thinking.
Willingness to challenge established ways of doing things in a constructive way.
Strong communication, planning, organizational, and leadership skills.
Confident and capable in a customer-facing role.
Ability to make independent decisions with a successful track record of influencing key stakeholders across all levels of the organization.
Good English skills and ability to read, write, and communicate clearly.
Ability to work up to 10 hours a day, 5 days a week, and flexibility to work weekends as needed.
Ability to travel up to 25% of the year.
Due to ITAR requirements, applicants must be a U.S. Citizen or a Permanent Resident.
BS in engineering, science, or related fields.
6+ years of leadership experience in a manufacturing environment, preferably in aerospace & defense microelectronics or microwave assembly operations, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Nice To Haves

IPC certification and knowledge of relevant requirements (preferred).
AS9100 / ISO 9001 / IATF 16949 Lead Auditor or Internal Auditor certification (preferred).
Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt (preferred).

Responsibilities

Lead, develop, and manage a team of Quality Engineers, Quality Technicians, and Calibration Program Manager through training, performance evaluation, delegation, and follow-up.
Develop training plans and conduct training of quality personnel at all levels.
Ensure product compliance to customer drawings, specifications, and quality standards across all RF microwave/microelectronic assembly operations, ensuring that only product of acceptable quality is delivered to the customer.
Establish and maintain inspection procedures, sampling methods, and product quality assurance in compliance with all applicable standards.
Provide quality interface to the design engineering function, ensuring quality requirements are incorporated from design inception through new product introduction and first article completion.
Participate in design reviews offering constructive input on manufacturing feasibility and process optimization.
Oversee First Article Inspection (FAI) activities in accordance with AS9102, ensuring timely and accurate completion of first article packages for customer and regulatory approval.
Manage and maintain the calibration program through oversight of the Calibration Program Manager, ensuring measurement systems are controlled and traceable.
Support the site Quality Management System (QMS) in accordance with AS9100 (IA9100) and customer/industry-specific requirements.
Drive QMS compliance and readiness for transition to the IA9100 standard.
Manage and support engineering change activities with internal stakeholders, deploying per customer-specific requirements.
Act as a key point of contact for customer quality matters on the Microwave line, coordinating resolution of customer issues across design, program management, process engineering, and supply chain functions.
Participate in regular discussions with external customers and cross-functional teams on quality and engineering topics.
Lead and/or support internal, customer, and third-party audits.
Ensure audit findings are addressed with robust corrective actions within appropriate timescales.
Drive Quality KPIs in alignment with site and business objectives, including scrap, yield, on-time delivery, and customer escape metrics.
Analyze data to identify trends and drive systemic improvements.
Maintain and communicate quality metrics to ensure clear visibility of current quality performance.
Champion the site's continuous improvement (9CI) program — including Customer Satisfaction, FMEA, 6S, TPM, Jidoka, ZDP, 8D Corrective Action, Quality Alert System, and DOE — driving improvement projects and developing team members as core tool subject matter experts.
Drive improvement of manufacturing processes by utilizing continual improvement tools such as DMAIC, Six Sigma, SPC, Lean Manufacturing, and error proofing.
Proactively identify opportunities for process improvement and cost reduction.
Enforce departmental policies and ensure procedures are followed.
Schedule and assign work within the team to regulate workflow and meet required delivery schedules.