Senior Manager Quality & Mission Assurance

Turion Space • Irvine, CA

1d • $120,000 - $165,000

About The Position

We are looking for a seasoned quality leader to build and run our Quality Assurance function in a defense and aerospace environment. As Senior Manager of Quality Assurance & Mission Assurance, you will own the day-to-day execution of our Quality Management System, lead a team of quality professionals, and serve as the primary interface with program management, engineering, manufacturing, and DCMA representatives.
This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who has implemented quality systems, driven compliance programs, and managed teams in high-stakes hardware environments. You will be expected to establish the standards, processes, and culture that ensure we consistently deliver quality products to our customers — and that our organization is always audit-ready.

Requirements

• 10+ years of quality assurance/engineering experience in defense, aerospace, or a similarly regulated hardware environment
• 3+ years managing or leading a quality team, with direct supervisory responsibility
• Hands-on experience implementing and maintaining AS9100-compliant QMS
• Demonstrated experience with NCR/MRB processes and RCCA methodologies (8D, 5-Why, Fishbone, or equivalent)
• Familiarity with DCMA oversight processes and experience interfacing with DCMA representatives
• Strong working knowledge of hardware quality disciplines: incoming inspection, in-process inspection, integration quality, and acceptance testing
• Experience developing and maintaining quality documentation, EIDPs, and SOPs
• Proven ability to work cross-functionally and communicate clearly with engineering, manufacturing, and program leadership

Nice To Haves

• Experience supporting defense program types (CPFF, FFP, T&M) and their associated quality obligations
• Background in developing quality systems for avionics, sensors, and aerospace hardware or similar
• Familiarity with MIL-SPEC, AS9100, or CMMI quality frameworks
• Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Certified Quality Manager (CQM), or Six Sigma Black Belt

Responsibilities

• Quality Team Leadership
• Lead and develop a team of quality engineers and inspectors, setting clear expectations and driving accountability
• Provide hands-on coaching, training, and mentorship on quality standards, tools, and procedures
• Manage workload allocation across the team to support program schedules and priorities
• Report program quality status to senior leadership and program management on a regular cadence
• Mission Assurance & Program Quality
• Assure quality, risk management, safety, reliability, and maintainability across programs, subcontractors, and suppliers in accordance with contractual requirements
• Assess program performance and risks; determine and deploy resources to ensure mission assurance objectives are met
• Maintain comprehensive quality metrics and dashboards, incorporating customer and employee feedback to assess performance and drive decisions
• Collaborate with program managers, engineering leads, and DCMA representatives on scheduling, operational decisions, and contractual clarifications
• Product & Integration Quality Engineering
• Partner with manufacturing engineering, production, and design engineers to support the quality of production processes for components such as sensors, PCBAs, cables, wiring harnesses, actuators, machined parts, and structures
• Work cross-functionally to define and execute product build and inspection requirements that meet customer quality standards
• Lead the Non-Conformance Review (NCR) process: contain defects, drive corrective actions, and manage KPIs.
• Lead Root Cause and Corrective Action (RCCA) investigations, manage Material Review Board (MRB) activities, and own containment strategies for prototype and production builds
• Support incoming inspection processes, integration quality documentation, planning, and effectiveness metrics
• QMS, Compliance & Audit Readiness
• Ensure all QMS and AS9100 practices are implemented, maintained, and followed across the organization
• Develop the organization to a continuous state of audit readiness for internal, customer, and third-party audits
• Oversee quality inspections of incoming materials, in-process components, and finished products
• Maintain and update quality documentation including inspection plans, reports, control charts, and standard operating procedures (SOPs)
• Drive the development and maintenance of End Item Data Packages (EIDPs)
• Ensure compliance with all applicable quality certifications and regulatory standards
• Continuous Improvement
• Support the implementation and execution of Continuous Improvement programs across manufacturing and engineering
• Identify recurring quality issues and champion cross-functional resolution to root cause and corrective actions
• Support the development of inspection systems and quality planning in partnership with development engineers

Benefits

• Equity: Receive equity in Turion Space, letting you benefit from the company's success
• Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their dependents. ​
• Retirement Plans: Access to a 401(k) plan to help you plan for your future. ​
• Paid Time Off: Generous vacation days, personal days, sick days, and holidays to ensure you have time to recharge. ​
• Professional Development: Opportunities for ongoing training, workshops, and courses to advance your skills and career growth.
• Team Building Activities: Regular social events, team outings, and company-sponsored activities to foster a positive work environment. ​

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees