Vice President, Quality Assurance

Defense and Development Enterprises LLC•Weston, FL

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Vice President of Quality Assurance is responsible for establishing, implementing, and maintaining the Quality Management System (QMS) in compliance with ISO 9001:2015, AS9120:2016, AS9100:2016, NADCAP, FAA, EASA, CAA, and all applicable regulatory and customer requirements. This responsibility extends across multiple corporate business units, sites, and operational competencies, including parts distribution, component repair, and manufacturing. This position leads all quality assurance and quality control activities to ensure that products, processes, and services consistently meet internal standards and customer expectations. The Vice President of Quality Assurance also serves as the primary liaison with customers, suppliers, and regulatory agencies on quality-related matters. As the Company grows and expands organically and through acquisitions, the Vice President of Quality Assurance is responsible for obtaining and maintaining the additional quality and airworthiness certifications and accreditations necessary to support the Company’s growth and expansion plans.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality, or a related technical field required
Minimum of 15 years of quality experience in aerospace or defense manufacturing, distribution, or Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO).
At least 10 years of leadership or management experience.
Strong knowledge of ISO 9001:2015, AS9120:2015, AS9100:2016, NADCAP, FAA, EASA, CAA, and customer-specific quality standards.
Exceptional leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
Proven ability to lead audits, manage corrective actions, and interface with regulatory and customer quality representatives.
Proficiency in data analysis, process improvement, and risk management.
High attention to detail and commitment to product integrity and safety.

Nice To Haves

master’s degree preferred.
ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE) preferred.
Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification preferred.
AS9100 or ISO 9001 Lead Auditor certification preferred.

Responsibilities

Develop, implement, and continuously improve the company’s Quality Management System (QMS).
Ensure QMS processes are effectively established, implemented, maintained, and continually improved.
Lead Management Reviews and coordinate corrective/preventive actions across all departments and business units.
Maintain certifications (AS9100, ISO 9001, AS9100, NADCAP, FAA, EASA, CAA) and oversee all external audits.
Ensure compliance with customer specifications, engineering drawings, industry standards, and regulatory requirements (U.S. DoD, FAA EASA, CAA etc.).
Oversee internal audit programs, supplier audits, and product inspections.
Review and approve quality documentation, including inspection plans, work instructions, First Article Inspection Reports (FAIR) (AS9102), and calibration records.
Lead, mentor, and develop the Quality Assurance and Quality Control teams to maintain a culture of quality and accountability.
Define clear quality objectives and performance metrics for the department.
Foster cross-functional collaboration with Engineering, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain teams to ensure quality is built into all processes.
Serve as the primary contact for customer quality representatives, source inspectors, and third-party auditors.
Manage supplier quality performance, including audits, corrective actions, and qualification processes.
Drive customer satisfaction by ensuring timely resolution of nonconformances and warranty issues.
Utilize Lean, Six Sigma, and root cause analysis tools to drive continuous improvement initiatives.
Lead efforts to reduce internal and external nonconformances, scrap, and rework.
Champion a proactive quality culture throughout the organization.