Aerospace Manufacturing Quality Manager

RTCA • Los Angeles, CA

16d • $145,000 - $155,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Quality Manager leads the Quality function for a complex aerospace CNC precision machining operation supporting flight-critical commercial and defense programs. This hands-on leadership role owns the site’s quality management system and quality team, with an emphasis on audit readiness, customer compliance, and product conformance. The manager strengthens systems and accountability, drives continuous improvement, and partners with customers and cross-functional teams to protect quality and on-time delivery. Depending on company structure, the position reports to enterprise-level quality leadership or the site leader.

This is a full-time onsite position in Chatsworth, California. The role requires a U.S. Person under 22 C.F.R. § 120.15 to meet Export Control compliance requirements. Compensation for onsite California applicants is $145,000–$155,000, commensurate with experience; some shifts may include differentials, and ranges at other sites may differ.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• At least 5 years of quality experience in aerospace or precision CNC machining manufacturing, including at least 3 years in a quality supervisory or management role.
• Strong working knowledge of AS9100 and ability to maintain a QMS and lead internal, customer, and registrar audits.
• Experience managing nonconforming material/MRB, root cause analysis, and corrective action methods such as 8D, 5-Why, and fishbone.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, GD&T (ASME Y14.5), customer specifications, and flowdown requirements.
• Working knowledge of inspection methods, AS9102 First Article Inspection, CMM inspection, and calibration/gage control.
• Proven ability to lead, coach, and hold a team accountable, and to drive improvement and remediation projects to closure.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to work professionally and confidently with customers, suppliers, and auditors.
• Working knowledge of ERP/MRP systems and Microsoft Office.
• Reliable and organized, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Must meet Export Control requirements as a U.S. Person under 22 C.F.R. § 120.15.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with GlobalShop, JobBOSS, or JobBOSS² ERP systems.
• Experience with CMM inspection software such as PC-DMIS, Calypso, or similar.
• ASQ certification such as CQE, CQA, or CMQ/OE, or AS9100 lead auditor training.
• Experience leading QMS remediation, audit recovery, or quality turnaround efforts.
• Familiarity with AS9145 (APQP/PPAP), AS13100, NADCAP special processes, and ITAR/export compliance.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Own and maintain the QMS in compliance with AS9100 and customer and regulatory requirements, ensuring processes are established, documented, followed, and effective.
• Lead the Quality department, including inspection, CMM, and quality engineering; set expectations, coach and develop staff, and manage staffing, priorities, and performance.
• Plan and lead internal audits; host and support customer, registrar, and regulatory audits; and drive findings to timely, effective closure.
• Lead projects to remediate legacy QMS, documentation, and process gaps, tracking actions through verified closure.
• Manage nonconforming material and MRB activities, including timely dispositions, accurate records, and scrap/rework cost reporting.
• Drive root cause analysis and corrective and preventive action for internal, supplier, and customer escapes, and submit customer-formatted responses on time.
• Serve as the primary quality point of contact for customers; manage customer-specific requirements, flowdowns, quality portals and scorecards, and quality clause review on contracts and purchase orders.
• Oversee AS9102 First Article Inspection, in-process and final inspection, and CMM programming and inspection priorities while supporting on-time delivery and conformance.
• Maintain calibration, gage control, and measurement system capability across inspection and CMM equipment.
• Partner with Supply Chain on supplier approval, performance monitoring, and supplier corrective action; approve or disapprove suppliers under the QMS.
• Establish and report quality metrics, including escapes, internal defects, cost of poor quality, audit findings, CAPA aging, and quality on-time delivery; communicate status, risks, and priorities to site and enterprise leadership.
• Promote quality at the source and operator ownership on the shop floor, including training and applicable certified operator, FOD prevention, and counterfeit parts prevention programs.
• Support quality planning for new programs and parts, including review of engineering changes, PFMEA, and control plans as applicable.
• Use the division’s ERP/MRP system to manage quality records, inspection data, and nonconformance tracking, and align processes with enterprise quality across divisions.
• Take on tasks outside normal duties when needed and perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
• Choice of medical plan options, including a no-cost employee-only coverage plan.
• HSA-eligible health plan with employer contributions.
• Basic and supplemental life insurance.
• Long-term disability coverage.
• 401(k) plan with up to a 6% QACA company match.
• Paid time off including vacation, sick time, and nine paid company holidays.
• Shift differentials for applicable off-shifts.
• Discretionary bonus programs based on position and company performance.

What This Job Offers

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