Quality Manager

ThermAvant Technologies LLC•Washington, DC

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Quality Manager leads and manages quality assurance and quality control to ensure products, manufacturing processes, and operational activities meet customer requirements, aerospace standards, regulatory requirements, and company quality objectives. The role oversees development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the Quality Management System (QMS), including compliance with AS9100, ISO 9001, applicable FAA regulations, customer-specific requirements, and other relevant aerospace standards. Working cross-functionally with Engineering, Supply Chain, Program Management, and Operations, the Quality Manager drives defect prevention, improves product reliability, reduces scrap and rework, and promotes a culture of quality. The role leads the Quality Assurance department and its quality professionals, manages audits and supplier quality, serves as a primary quality contact for customers and auditors, and leads corrective action and continuous improvement initiatives. The position is primarily based in an aerospace manufacturing facility, with regular production-floor presence. Occasional domestic or international travel may be required for supplier audits, customer visits, or quality reviews.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Quality Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field; equivalent experience may be considered.
Typically 5–10 years of experience in quality management, quality engineering, or manufacturing quality, preferably in the aerospace industry.
Demonstrated experience leading a quality department or managing quality professionals in a manufacturing environment.
Strong working knowledge of AS9100 and ISO 9001 quality management system requirements.
Experience with root cause analysis, corrective and preventive action, internal auditing, and nonconformance management.
Hands-on experience operating Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMM).
Knowledge of engineering drawings, GD&T, inspection methods, metrology, and manufacturing processes.
Experience with customer and supplier audits, quality performance metrics, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Strong leadership, communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and quality management systems.

Nice To Haves

ASQ Certified Quality Manager/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE), Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), or Certified Quality Auditor (CQA).
AS9100 internal auditor or lead auditor certification.
Experience with AS9102 First Article Inspection requirements.
Knowledge of statistical process control, measurement system analysis (MSA), capability studies, and FMEA.
Experience with aerospace special processes and applicable Nadcap accreditation requirements.
Familiarity with FAA regulatory requirements, customer-specific aerospace requirements, and supplier quality controls.
Experience with precision machining, sheet metal fabrication, composites, assembly, or other relevant aerospace manufacturing processes.
ERP or manufacturing execution system experience.

Responsibilities

Lead the Quality Assurance department, including staffing, training, performance management, resource planning, and guidance for quality engineers, inspectors, auditors, and technicians.
Develop and execute quality strategies aligned with business objectives, customer expectations, and operational targets; establish and monitor quality objectives, KPIs, and departmental budgets.
Promote accountability, continuous improvement, and zero-defect manufacturing.
Maintain and continuously improve the QMS in accordance with applicable AS9100 and ISO 9001 requirements.
Ensure compliance with customer quality clauses, contractual requirements, and applicable aerospace regulatory requirements, including FAA requirements where applicable.
Manage internal, external, customer, and registrar audits, including preparation, execution, corrective actions, and follow-up.
Maintain quality procedures, work instructions, inspection plans, records, document control, configuration management, product traceability, and documented information controls.
Oversee incoming, in-process, and final inspection, as well as product release activities.
Ensure manufacturing processes meet engineering drawings, specifications, tolerances, and customer acceptance criteria.
Establish and maintain inspection, sampling, and control plans and risk-based quality controls.
Ensure calibrated measurement equipment, gauges, and testing systems are appropriately used and controlled.
Monitor manufacturing performance to identify process variation, recurring defects, and improvement opportunities.
Ensure nonconforming materials and products are identified, segregated, documented, dispositioned, and controlled.
Oversee first article inspection activities in accordance with AS9102 where applicable.
Lead root cause analysis and corrective action investigations for internal defects, customer complaints, supplier issues, and audit findings.
Implement and monitor corrective and preventive actions using methods such as 8D, 5 Whys, fishbone analysis, and FMEA; verify effectiveness and prevent recurrence.
Analyze scrap, rework, rejection rates, escapes, and warranty or return data to identify systemic problems and improve first-pass yield, process capability, and cost of poor quality.
Manage supplier quality performance, qualification, approval, monitoring, audits, corrective actions, and supplier development.
Collaborate with Supply Chain and Procurement to ensure suppliers meet aerospace quality and delivery requirements; evaluate supplier risk and monitor performance.
Ensure controls for externally provided processes, materials, components, and special processes.
Serve as the primary quality contact for customers, auditors, certification bodies, and applicable regulatory authorities.
Manage customer complaints, product escapes, quality notifications, and corrective action responses; support source inspections, product acceptance, and quality reviews.
Communicate quality risks, performance trends, and improvement plans to senior leadership.
Partner with Engineering and Operations to resolve drawing, specification, process, and product conformity issues.
Lead continuous improvement using Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, SPC, and other problem-solving methodologies.
Use risk-based thinking, process controls, preventive measures, data analytics, and trend analysis to improve consistency and optimize processes.
Reduce scrap, rework, inspection costs, and nonconformance rates while improving production efficiency.
Participate in new product introduction, process validation, production readiness, and manufacturing transfer activities.