Senior Quality Manager
About The Position
North Atlantic Industries is a provider of embedded electronic solutions, including rugged embedded computing, power supplies, and motion simulation and measurement technologies for military, aerospace, and industrial markets. The Senior Quality Manager leads NAI’s quality function for aerospace and defense electronics, including the AS9100 quality management system, quality engineering, incoming and final inspection, and continuous improvement. Reporting to the Vice President of Operations, this role establishes quality priorities, develops the quality team, and drives product conformity and customer satisfaction in partnership with Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Program Management. The position owns the effectiveness of the AS9100 QMS and leads customer and third-party audits, inspection activities, quality engineering support, nonconformance processes, and corrective actions. It also drives improvements to reduce cost of poor quality and communicates quality risks and performance to senior leadership. The schedule is Monday through Friday on day shift, with a discretionary 9/80 schedule.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in electrical, mechanical, industrial, or a related engineering discipline, or equivalent relevant education and experience.
- At least 10 years of electronics manufacturing experience, including five or more years in quality management.
- Aerospace, defense, or comparable high-reliability manufacturing experience.
- Demonstrated ownership of an AS9100 QMS and experience leading internal, customer, and certification audits through effective corrective action closure.
- Working knowledge of PCB assembly, SMT, electromechanical assembly, inspection, and test processes.
- Ability to interpret engineering drawings and customer specifications.
- Experience applying applicable IPC-A-610 and J-STD-001 requirements.
- Experience with structured problem solving, including 8D, 5 Why, and cause-and-effect analysis.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including explaining technical issues, presenting quality performance, leading customer discussions, and communicating clearly at all organizational levels.
- Strong leadership, organization, and cross-functional collaboration skills; ability to establish priorities and exercise sound judgment under delivery pressure.
- Ability to analyze quality trends, establish measurable improvement goals, and hold teams accountable for sustained results.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and experience using ERP, MES, or quality reporting systems.
Nice To Haves
- ASQ CMQ/OE or CQE certification.
- AS9100 lead auditor training.
- Lean Six Sigma experience.
- Experience with rugged electronics in a high-mix, low-volume manufacturing environment.
- Familiarity with Microsoft Dynamics AX and Aegis FactoryLogix.
Responsibilities
- Own the effectiveness of the AS9100 quality management system, including procedures, records, internal audits, management review preparation, and certification readiness.
- Lead customer and third-party quality audits, ensure timely closure of findings, and verify corrective action effectiveness.
- Establish department goals, staffing priorities, training plans, and performance expectations; coach and develop quality personnel.
- Direct incoming, in-process, and final inspection activities, ensuring consistent acceptance criteria.
- Lead quality engineering support for new product introduction and production, including quality planning, risk reviews, and first article inspection when required.
- Own containment, root cause analysis, and corrective action for internal defects, supplier issues, customer escapes, and warranty or RMA trends.
- Oversee nonconformance and Material Review Board processes.
- Drive continuous improvement to reduce cost of poor quality; monitor and sustain improvements.
- Ensure training and implementation of applicable IPC-A-610, J-STD-001, traceability, ESD, FOD prevention, counterfeit avoidance, and measurement controls.
- Represent NAI in customer and supplier quality discussions, lead escalations, and communicate quality risks and performance to senior leadership.
- Partner with Supply Chain to manage supplier quality scorecards and corrective actions for critical suppliers.
- Work collaboratively with Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Program Management to prevent defects and improve performance.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Company-provided life and AD&D insurance
- Voluntary supplemental life insurance
- Long-term disability insurance
- Flexible spending accounts (FSA)
- Employee assistance program (EAP)
- 401(k) with company matching contributions
- Vacation, holidays, and sick leave
- Employee tuition reimbursement
- Annual bonus eligibility
- Opportunities for learning and career development
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
