Quality Operations Manager

Ideal Aerosmith•Grand Forks, ND

11d•Onsite

About The Position

Ideal Aerosmith is a leading supplier of precision inertial guidance test systems, flight motion simulators, and a premier provider of aerospace test engineering services, ATE system engineering, and quality contract manufacturing services to the aerospace industry. We're experts and we earn that title every day with our customers through innovative engineering, manufacturing, and sustainment of world-class motion and electric test solutions and services. Here, we don’t just solve complex problems - we redefine what’s possible. Every role at Ideal Aerosmith supports a lean culture through continuous improvement - ongoing, incremental enhancements to products, processes, or services aimed at reducing waste and boosting efficiency, customer service, and performance. With a team of skilled problem solvers and a culture that thrives on tackling challenges head-on, we are dedicated to our clients' success. Enjoy competitive benefits, a supportive work environment, and every other Friday off to recharge. The Quality Operations Manager will lead the day-to-day quality operations supporting Ideal Aerosmith’s manufacturing and complex electromechanical systems. This role oversees the Quality Inspector and Systems Quality Engineer functions, ensuring inspection, system-level quality, and compliance activities are prioritized and executed effectively. The Quality Operations Manager will remain hands-on with quality issues while developing the team, improving processes, and partnering with engineering, manufacturing, program, supply chain, and customer teams to prevent defects, reduce rework, and support reliable product delivery.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, quality, manufacturing, or a related technical field preferred; equivalent education and relevant experience will be considered.
5+ years of progressive experience in quality, inspection, manufacturing, systems quality, or a related technical environment.
5+ years of leadership, supervisory, or team-lead experience.
Experience supporting mechanical and/or electrical inspection in a manufacturing environment.
Working knowledge of nonconformance management, root cause analysis, corrective action, inspection planning, and quality metrics.
Experience interpreting engineering drawings, specifications, schematics, technical documentation, and customer requirements.
Ability to travel (domestic and internationally) and obtain a passport.
Due to federal contract requirements applicable to this position, candidates must be U.S. citizens.

Nice To Haves

Ability to organize competing priorities, make sound decisions, and lead work in a complex or evolving environment.
Ability to communicate technical and quality information effectively with employees, leaders, customers, and cross-functional teams.
Experience in complex electromechanical systems, or another highly regulated manufacturing environment.
Experience with ISO 9001 or a similar quality management system, including audit support.
Experience applying Six Sigma and statistical methods to establish internal quality limits, meaningful metrics, and data-driven decisions.
Knowledge of IPC workmanship standards and/or mechanical inspection methods, including GD&T and precision measurement equipment.
Experience with system-level testing, validation, acceptance testing, or quality planning throughout the product lifecycle.
Experience working directly with customers, suppliers, or government program stakeholders on quality-related matters.
Quality certification such as ASQ Certified Quality Engineer/Manager, Six Sigma Green/Black Belt, or equivalent.

Responsibilities

Lead and develop the mechanical inspection, electrical inspection, and systems quality engineering functions; establish priorities, assign work, and ensure the team has the training, tools, and resources needed to meet business demands.
Oversee incoming, in-process, and final inspection activities for mechanical parts, electrical components, assemblies, and completed systems.
Provide hands-on technical guidance for complex inspections, system-level quality concerns, and acceptance or validation activities.
Ensure inspection and quality activities are performed in accordance with engineering drawings, specifications, work instructions, customer requirements, and applicable workmanship standards, including IPC standards where required.
Partner with engineering, manufacturing, program, supply chain, field service, and customer teams to clarify requirements, resolve documentation issues, and address quality concerns.
Manage the identification, documentation, review, and disposition of nonconforming material and product; ensure issues are tracked through timely resolution.
Lead or facilitate root cause analysis, corrective and preventive actions, and verification of effectiveness for significant or recurring quality issues.
Support the development and execution of inspection plans, test plans, validation activities, and project entrance and exit criteria for complex systems and programs.
Participate in design, production-readiness, and project reviews to provide quality, manufacturability, risk, and testability input.
Oversee inspection and test equipment needs, including calibration status, records, certifications, availability, and proper use.
Maintain and report quality operations metrics, including defects, nonconformances, rework, corrective actions, inspection throughput, and other indicators; use data to identify trends and drive improvement.
Ensure department procedures, records, and practices support ISO 9001 requirements, internal quality processes, customer requirements, and applicable aerospace, defense, and government program obligations.
Plan staffing and workflow to support production and program schedules, adjusting priorities as requirements change.
Coach team members, provide timely performance feedback, support cross-training, and build consistent technical and documentation practices across the quality team.
Lead department meetings and communicate quality risks, priorities, performance, and resource needs to leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.
Initiate and implement continuous improvement efforts that strengthen product quality, process consistency, efficiency, and cost control.
Support customer-facing quality activities, audits, and technical discussions as needed.
Perform other duties as assigned.